Baldwin Crusader Leader Count Baldwin of Boulogne played a pivotal role in the early Crusades. After splitting from the main army of the First Crusade in 1098, he ventured east and founded a principality at Edessa. Within two years, he ascended to the throne of Jerusalem, succeeding his brother. Edessa, under his rule, remained a semi-independent Christian state until its fall to an Arab army in 1144, marking a significant setback for the Crusaders in the region. The fall of Edessa sent shockwaves through Christendom, challenging the assumptions of the First Crusade's success. The rapid loss of territory raised questions about God's favor and the moral standing of the Franks in the East. Reports of moral decline among the Crusaders had been …show more content…
Saint Bernard, despite his unassuming appearance and chronic pain from a life of fasting, was the most influential spiritual figure in Europe. His charisma and unwavering devotion to the faith made him a natural choice to inspire and lead the Crusade. Sent by Abbot Stephen Harding to establish a daughter house at Clairvaux in 1115, Saint Bernard had spent the last twenty-five years preaching, writing, and engaging in theological controversies, solidifying his reputation as a beacon of the Church. Despite his desire for retirement and peace, Bernard of Clairvaux answered the call to lead the Crusade with remarkable zeal. Asked by King Louis VII to speak at an assembly at Vézelay, Bernard agreed to begin the Crusade in France. His reputation drew people from all over the country to hear him speak, leading to an overcrowded cathedral and the construction of a massive wooden platform on the hillside. On Palm Sunday morning, March 31, 1146, Bernard delivered a powerful address alongside the king, wearing the cross given to him by the Pope as a symbol of his commitment. While the exact contents of Bernard's speech are unknown, its delivery was incredibly influential. His voice, according to witnesses, echoed like heavenly music, stirring the audience. As he spoke, the crowd began clamoring for crosses to bear on the Crusade. When the supply ran out, Bernard tore his own robe to create more, inspiring others to do the same. As the sun set, he and his assistants continued to sew crosses from rough fabric, igniting a fervor for the Crusade. Following his success at Vézelay, Bernard embarked on a preaching tour across Burgundy, Lorraine, Flanders, and Germany. At each stop, he attracted large crowds and continued to inspire fervor for the Crusade. Even Emperor Conrad, who had initially refused to participate, relented after a stern Christmas rebuke from Bernard and
Within the Crusaders army, a Lance was found and this was thought a sign of good luck from God, as the Lance was a Holy Relic to the Christians, and the trapped Christians saw this as a sign of hope and surprise-attacked the Turks surrounding their land and managed to drive them away. With the Turks gone, the road to Jerusalem was clear and the Christians were able to get there without the constant fear of attackers. Five months after ridding themselves of the Turks, the Crusaders began to head