Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages. They were initiated by the Catholic Church with the goal of reclaiming Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control.
Related terms
Holy Land: Refers to the region in the Middle East that was considered sacred by Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Pope Urban II: The pope who called for the First Crusade in 1095, urging Christians to take up arms against Muslims.
Saladin: A Muslim military leader who successfully defended Jerusalem against Christian forces during the Third Crusade.