kruiszetten

Kruiszetten, also known as "cruisades," were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims, primarily fought between the 11th and 13th centuries. The term "kruiszetten" is derived from the Dutch word for "crusades," which in turn comes from the Latin word "crux," meaning "cross." These wars were initiated by the Catholic Church as a means to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control, which had been lost during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century.

The first major crusade, known as the First Crusade, began in 1096 and lasted until 1099. It was called by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont, where he urged European Christians to take up arms and liberate Jerusalem from the Seljuk Turks. The crusaders successfully captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which lasted until 1291.

Subsequent crusades, including the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Crusades, were also launched by the Catholic Church, each with varying degrees of success. These wars had significant impacts on both Christian and Muslim societies, shaping religious, political, and cultural landscapes in the Middle East and Europe. However, they also led to widespread violence, destruction, and the displacement of populations.

The term "kruiszetten" is also used more broadly to refer to any of the numerous religious wars and conflicts that took place during the medieval period, not just those specifically related to the Holy Land. These conflicts often involved various Christian groups, such as the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, and were characterized by their religious motivations and the use of military force.