The most successful crusades were the first four, however there were numerous crusades following the first four. In fact, the Crusades went on until approximately 1300. The later crusades were not at all successful. The decline of the papacy also brought the decline of the European unity and power. This separation of the European powers was a great reason why the later crusades were unsuccessful. (source) (source)

To start, the Children’s Crusade was a complete failure. Despite the name there were not many children going on this crusade, in fact they used this name to refer to adults that had not yet grown up. However, to this day the legend is that thousands of young children under the age of 12 went on a crusade to try and recover the Holy Land. These adults did not at all succeed in completing their mission. On there was to the Holy Land they dropped off like flies. Many of those that traveled by boat were shipwrecked and died, the other crusaders that traveled by boat were taken to North Africa, were they were sold into slavery. Those on foot, settled on their way to the Holy Land. (source) (source)

The fifth and six crusades cam after this, but were no more helpful in taking back Jerusalem. The fifth crusade took 10 years to complete and still they did not have any different result in their efforts. At the start the main expeditions were to Egypt. Frederick II then made efforts to the Holy Land and succeeded in a treaty; however after being excommunicated he lost Jerusalem again, in 1244. The sixth crusade did not turnout much better; Frederick made very good efforts that led no where. By this time, the decline of the papacy’s power was evident. Part of the reason why the crusades kept becoming less successful was because only one power would go and fight, Europe was no longer united under the crusades. (source) (source) (source) (source, Google Books)

The seventh crusade was called the shepherd’s crusade and was an effort by Louis IX of France. This failed when he was captured in Egypt, after problems were caused by the Knights Templar. However the peasant movement still went on after their leader was captured. After causing many troubles however, the crusaders were excommunicated. The 8th crusade was again led by Louis IX of France, however this effort was much better organized than the last. Despite their better efforts, there were again defeated in Mansura, right were the crusaders had been defeated in the fifth crusade. The ninth crusade which ended all the others was deemed a complete failure on the efforts against the Baibars. (source) (source) (source, Google Books) (source, Google Books)

After this, the Crusaders and Europeans were attacked ruthlessly. The Middle Eastern people massacred many of their big cities killing all those that could not leave in time. The Crusaders were unable to fight back. The Crusades, if anything only slightly delayed the efforts of the Muslims. Of the numerous efforts by the crusaders, only one or two were “successful” and you can see through the numerous failures that the last crusades were not deemed “successful”. (source) (source)

4th Crusade

After the third crusade they had diverted from the Holy Land and had other plans. This specific crusade was encouraged by Pope Innocent III. The forth crusade was and effort to attack Egypt, the center of the Muslim world at the time. However the biggest effect this crusade had was on the city of Constantinople. However their efforts were not strong enough and did not bring much difference in the long run. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The fourth crusade is a great piece of interest to many historians and scholars. The crusaders’ first mission was to go into Egypt and essentially take out the source. The Christians while preparing for this attack went to the Venetians for assistance in transportation and supplies. The Venetians had agreed under the condition that they would first capture Zara, so they did and then were planning to go to Egypt after completing the Venetians task. However their plans changed when Alexius, son of Isaac Angelus called on the crusaders for help to recover Constantinople. Agreeing to this the crusaders prepared to then take back the center of the Byzantine Empire. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The Venetians agreed also to help them with this also. In fact they liked this idea a lot more because the Venetians were business men and having possession of Constantinople would increase trade throughout the Mediterranean. The Crusaders with the Venetians had cover the Naval aspect of the capturing the city and on land was Alexius and his men along with some French knights. Despite the pope’s thought on the subject the Crusaders ransacked the city of Constantinople in 1204. The manner of attack was not the shining moment of the Crusades for Christians. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

There was not a very exact account of what exactly happened when the crusaders sacked Constantinople, which makes historians and scholars interested in the event. One story is as this account says for example, “They burned down a great part of it; they slaughtered the inhabitants; they wantonly destroyed monuments, statues, paintings, and manuscripts - the accumulation of a thousand years. Much of the movable wealth they carried away. Never, declared an eye-witness of the scene, had there been such plunder since the world began.” (Source) However another account is this: “Meantime, Alexius had a assembled a large army for a counter-attack against the Franks. For some reason, however, his nerve failed him and he never made the attack. The Venetians in the meantime withdrew from the section of wall they had held, for they could not keep it without a victory on the Frankish side as well. Despite the fact that the Crusader assault had only partially succeeded, that night Alexius grabbed what wealth he could and fled the city with his daughter.” (Source) Each view of the battle can be different but yet the same dependent on the view. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

The ending effect was not great, years later the city was still captured. It had declined in faith from numerous barbarians picking away at it. Even when it did finally fall to the Turks, the down fall was blamed on the Venetians and the French for they only wanted the economic value of the city and did not look at its politics and military for the future. While although most of the crusades are not seen as a win per say they had a lasting and important effect on our history. (Source) (Source) (Source, Google Books)

3rd Crusade

“The Third Crusade, spanning the years 1187-92, was the most interesting of them all. It was the largest military endeavor of the middle Ages and it brought a fury of the entire Crusading movement to its zenith. Perhaps most important it brought two of the most remarkable and fascinating figures of the last millennium into conflict.”(Source)The Third Crusade had reason for being started, just as the first two crusades. This particular movement happened during the years of 1189 to 1192 and started because of the capturing of Jerusalem by Saladin. This specific crusade had many important figures to history which is very important to the foundation of Europe and eventually the Americas. (Source) (Source) (Source; Google Books)


Upon hearing that Jerusalem had been captured the Christians immediately went on another crusade. It was the first time that the Europeans united with each having strong leaders and strong armies. Richard the Lionhearted was successful in raising money for the Crusade, he went to the major extremes just to provide. In fact, “When some one expostulated with him on the means employed to raise money, he declared that "he would sell the city of London, if he could find a purchaser."” (Source) The first to die of the great leaders in this crusade was Frederick Barbarossa, the German Emperor. At the age of 72 this great leader with his army went on yet another Crusade. They fought through the Turks in Asia Minor and other many hardships, but many of these men, including Frederick drowned while crossing a river. The others were heartbroken from losing their fearless leader. (Source) (Source) (Source; Google Books)

The Siege of Arce was the first and strongest victory during this Crusade, and it was by far the leading achievement during this expedition. The English and the French put together their efforts and arranged approximately 600,000 men. These numbers were outstanding and defeated the siege, despite Saladin’s strong efforts. The two leaders of this great victory were King Phillip from France and King Richard the Lionhearted from England. They combined created an unstoppable duo; however quarrels stood in the way of future successes. King Phillip went home as a result, and left King Richard in charge of the Crusade from then on; this was the time that Richard had to show his skills. (Source) (Source) (Source; Google Books)


King Richard the Lion-hearted conducted himself with greatness while fighting in the Holy Land. “The knightly adventures and chivalrous exploits which mark the career of Richard in the Holy Land read like a romance.” (Source) At the battle of Arsouf, September 7, 1191 King Richard was able to show his great tactical knowledge. Saladin had set and ambush to end the battles but King Richard had already pre-pared for this. Saladin now had greater respect for King Richard and decided never to pull a direct attack again. As a result of lack of supplies and the winter chill Richard was unable to put a siege on the Jerusalem and was in terrible circumstances. However a treaty was made between Saladin and King Richard and after this the Crusaders went home. “Both Richard and Saladin emerged from the Third Crusade with enhanced reputations, Saladin as the best of the infidels, and an honorable enemy, Richard as one of the great generals, and as a heroic knight.” (Source) (Source) (Source) (Source; Google Books)


The big question that needs to be answered is, was it a successful Crusade? Well although Europe’s main goal of taking back Jerusalem was not completed the English and French captured Arce. Not to mention that every crusade slowed the progression of the Islamic movement. The Crusade also brought trade routes and new supplies to the European scene. “All in all, the 3rd crusade could be described as a successful crusade.” (Source) The Crusades are fascinating to look at, to see how old Europe interacted and what were the values of the people back then. It is seen that the values are much different now. The interaction during battles and the chivalry that knights had back then are all different from the interactions we experience now. The Crusades however still directly had an impact on what happened in the future. Source) (Source) (Source; Google Books)