Why The Crusades Happened During The Middle Ages

The crusades that happened during the Middle Ages hold a prominent place in history due to their profound impact and the unique cultural interactions that unfolded as a result of the numerous campaigns launched. These military expeditions, sanctioned by the papacy, not only shaped the political landscape of the time but also gave rise to significant religious, social, and economic transformations across Europe and the Middle East. The eleventh century was a time of great social and economic expansion in Europe and by the end of the century Western Christendom was ready to make moves on the global stage against the enemy that had been threatening it since it arrived on the scene, Islam. That then begs the question of why the Latin Christians decided to crusade their way down to Jerusalem, and in order to answer that much like analyzing a famous work of art, one must break down the many
An army cannot exist without people to staff it and considering that the crusades attacked Islam on multiple fronts, a lot of manpower was required to retake Christian land. For example, since most families during the Middle Ages had multiple children, since infant mortality rates were still high, it meant that most teenagers or young adults could leave their family farm or business behind without worrying about it. Furthermore, noble families usually let only the first son inherit the wealth and title, causing second or even third sons to find another way to gain riches and renown, which the crusades promised in spades2. However, this alone is not the cause for Latin Christians to go on a crusade. as there would need to be something that can bind these people of such different cultures to a common goal, and in the eleventh century that event would