keresztesek

The term "keresztesek" is the Hungarian word for "crusaders". It specifically refers to participants in the Crusades, a series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period. These campaigns were primarily aimed at recovering the Holy Land from Muslim rule. The word itself is derived from "kereszt," meaning "cross," referencing the cross worn by the crusaders as a symbol of their holy mission.

The Crusades involved numerous expeditions, beginning in the late 11th century. The first major crusade, launched in 1095, was a response to a plea for military assistance from the Byzantine Empire against the Seljuk Turks. Subsequent crusades, often undertaken by European knights and soldiers, had varying objectives, including the defense of Christian territories in the Levant, the suppression of religious dissent within Europe (such as the Albigensian Crusade), and political power struggles. The term "keresztesek" encompasses a broad range of individuals who took the cross, from common soldiers and knights to royalty and clergy, all motivated by a complex mix of religious zeal, political ambition, and social pressures. The legacy of the Crusades and the "keresztesek" continues to be a subject of historical study and debate.