Understanding the motives behind theories of war created in medieval times is an essential part of the knowledge regarding this civilization. The snippet presented is referred to as the speech of Pope Urban II, recorded by Fulcher of Chartres at the Council of Clermont (Chartres, 1905). This excerpt comes from Gesta Dei per Francos, a collection of works on the Crusades edited by Bongars. The author justifies the crusading behavior by implementing the concepts of “just war,” namely by explaining the reasons behind the armed conflict, justice of the endeavor, and the consequences of war’s conclusion.
The Pope addresses the notions mentioned and presents clear reasoning for the start of the crusade. The first idea is represented in the following words: “For your brethren who live in the east are in urgent need of your help” (Chartres, 1905, p. 517). The author justifies the beginning of the war as an attempt to free a friendly nation from foreign abuse and future hazards. The demand for protection is further displayed in the phrase, “If you permit them to continue thus […], the faithful of God will be much more widely attacked by them” (Chartres, 1905, p. 517). From this point of view, it is fair to participate in an armed conflict against the country that occupies and destroys the territory of the Pope’s ally, thus corroborating the second idea.
It is crucial to note that contemporary circumstances in medieval Europe forced the launching of the first crusade, as the Islamic empires conquered the regions of Palestine, Syria, and Egypt. For the Christian world, these territories were of significant historical and religious importance, prompting the need to respond to Muslim’s aggressive territorial expansions. Furthermore, the themes of religion and political power are evident in this source. The necessity to redeem the occupied areas from the growing influence of a rival nation is explained within the context of faith, political expansion, and the Lord’s commands.
Given the motives and arguments towards launching an armed conflict, this text is crucial for the understanding of medieval civilization. The primary beliefs of the Christian world, such as the demand to protect friendly territories from the aggression of a different religion and reclaim former lands, are clearly demonstrated in this excerpt. Thus, it is possible to create a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of medieval civilization through an extensive examination of the primary source.
Reference
Chartres, F. (1905). The speech of Urban II at the Council of Clermont, 1095. In O. J. Thatcher & E. H. McNeal (Eds.), A source book for medieval history (pp. 513-517). Scribners.