3/14/2012

Alexius and the West

HIST 302 Spring 2012

And so it begins...76th

4 April 1081 ascended to the throne • 24 years old • short and stocky; deep chested; broad shoulders • seen action against the Seljuks – never lost a battle • uncle was Isaac Komnenus • married to the 15 year old Irene Ducas – assured support of aristocracy and clergy • his ascension was a little messy...

Komneni (1081-1185)

1057-9 Isaac I

1071 Battle of Manzikert

1081-1118 Alexios I 1118-43 John II 1143-80 Manuel I 1180-2 Alexios II 1182-5 Andronikos I

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War with the

• (the crafty) 1071 Bari fell 1081 giant fleet sailed towards Durazzo – road to • Alexius shows up with his army – Varangians (mostly A-S refugees pissed off at Normans) wanting revenge • Alexius wounded in battle – retires to Thessalonica

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Gregory VII, besieged in Castel Sant'Angelo

Tomb of Guiscard at

Robert Guiscard dies of Typhoid in 1085

Normans Conquer S. • Normans conquer and S. Italy • Cousin of Guiscard organizes a new Kingdom

Roger II, the Norman (ruled from 1130-1154)

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Palazzo Reale,

Roger II Frederick II Alfonso Charles V Charles III Charles of Anjou Gioacchino Murat Victor Emanuel II Norman Aragon Hapsburg Bourbon (1266-1285) (1808-1815) (1861-1878) (1130-1154) (1211-1250) (1442-1458) (1520-1558) (1734-1759)

Alexius Receives Papal Mission

Pope Gregory VII – excommunicated Alexius for helping HRE Pope Urban II • trying to restore unity b/t E &W churches 1095 letter to meet at a Great Council of the Church • March at Piacenza, Byzantine reps emphasize: – prizes – religious aspects – Turkish tide – Christendom lost?

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“Holy War” at Clermont 1095 Urban convened a council in Clermont • called upon the Frankish nobility to go to the aid of their Christian brothers • defend Byzantines from the Muslim Turks – he accused Turks of mistreating Christians and defiling Christian churches – encouraged the Franks to liberate Jerusalem from the domination of Muslims – the most sacred and beloved city in Christendom

Terminology

When Pope Urban made his plea: • never called the expedition a crusade – conceived of as an armed pilgrimage Crusaders were never called crusaders in contemporary sources • described as pilgrims who had taken the cross – (cruce signatus)

Armed Pilgrimage as Holy War

Augustine, City of God • there is no “private right” to kill. • One can kill only under the authority of God • only under a direct order from God, or under the order of a legitimate ruler who is carrying out God’s intention to restrain evil on earth

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Armed Pilgrimage as Holy War

Augustine: anyone who obeys such a command “does not himself kill.” • acts only as the instrument of the one who commands – acts as the instrument of God.

Sanctification of Holy War

By the 9th century • warfare on God’s behalf not only justified, it was sanctified: – anyone who died defending Christ was a martyr who could expect a reward in paradise • The Church promoted this view – Urban promised the remission of crusader’s sins if they died in battle

Fulcher of Chartres

All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested.”

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Promises of Papal Peace

Urban promised to protect the families and property of the crusaders and offer prayers on their behalf – as they were off fulfilling the will of God • He issues the call for pilgrimage in the context of renewal of the Truce of God. • His focus is on turning the violence of ’s warrior class outward.

Promise of Special Status

• Church promised the crusaders • not only a path to salvation, but a special status: • knight of Christ (milites Christi) – vassal of St. Peter – aggression was turned outward toward non- Christian foes

Public response to Urban's speech

The turned into a mass movement – quickly swelled beyond the papacy’s control • Tens of thousands of Franks (nobles and peasants) answered the call with enthusiasm • began streaming eastwards in several waves. – most of the crusaders appear to have been pious and convinced of the righteousness of their cause – others, not so much: • material gain • runaway serf • criminals

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The last thing the Byzantines want

Three expeditions in 1096

1. People’s Crusade • unruly mob of tens of thousands of ordinary Christians – led by a popular preacher named Peter the Hermit • set off from Europe in the spring of 1096 – no papal authorization – no military escort • made it as far as , where most of them were slaughtered by the Turks in October.

2. German contingent, Summer 1096

First recorded Christian massacres of Jews: People’s Crusade, the French, and the • tried to force “infidel” Jews living among Christians to convert, and killed those who refused. • resulted in the deaths of thousands of Jews in larger cities – , Worms, Trier, Mainz, and Cologne – Account of Solomon Bar Simson

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3. The French finally arrive

Dec. 1096 French nobles arrived at Constantinople • join forces with the Byzantine Emperor, the Germans, and the remnants of the People’s Crusade. 1097 recapture Nicaea from the Turks – 1098 take Edessa and Antioch – 1099 take Jerusalem • six-week siege

Krak des chevaliers

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The Legacy of Alexius

• Bequeathed his rule to his son, John • provided new stability to Byzantium – past 56 years—governed by 13 monarchs • ~ 4.3 years/Emperor – personally defended his people – bravery against Normans – handled Crusaders well • The – by daughter Anna

The Legacy of Alexius

• Rule of the Military Aristocracy – economic changes – taxation changes – military based on • feudal grants of land—obligation of service • Imperial Resistance to the Church – monasteries • Dynastic/Family jealousy – Ducas vs. Komenoi

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