crociata

Crociata, from croce (cross) and the Latin cruciata, is the Italian term for a crusade. In medieval usage it referred to religious-military campaigns authorized by the Catholic Church, typically from the 11th to the 13th centuries, aimed at recovering or defending Christian holy sites, aiding the Byzantine Empire, protecting pilgrims, and expanding Christendom.

Origins and purpose: Popes such as Urban II launched calls in the late 11th century to reclaim Jerusalem and other territories from Muslim rule. Participants were knights and nobles from across Western Europe, sometimes peasants, united under papal authority and often motivated by religious indulgences, feudal obligation, and the promise of spiritual merit.

Major campaigns: The First Crusade (1096–1099) captured Jerusalem; the Second (1147–1149) and Third (1189–1192) continued efforts in the Holy Land; the Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) diverted to Constantinople, weakening the Byzantine Empire. Other campaigns included the Albigensian Crusade (1209–1229) in southern France, and the Reconquista and Northern Crusades in Iberia and the Baltic.

Legacy: The crusading movement influenced medieval politics, diplomacy, and religion; it led to the rise of military orders such as the Templars, Hospitallers, and Teutons, stimulated trade and cultural exchanges, and left a lasting impact on Christian–Muslim relations. The era of major crusades generally ended in the late 13th century, with the fall of Acre in 1291 marking a turning point, though later expeditions continued in various forms.