Zusammenfassung der Ressource
The call for the Second Crusade
- Pope Eugenius III
- called for a second crusade in
Dec 1145 after Edessa had been
captured by Zengi
- reissued in march 1146 to ensure
Papal leadership
- little enthusiasm
shown at first
- fall of Edessa highlighted
need for reinforcements in
the East
- Louis VII of France was considering an
armed expedition to the Holy Land
- not accepted as Eugenius didn't
want to make it appear that a king
could call for a crusade
- Bernard of Clairvaux
- preached in 1146 and
sparked more enthusiasm
- lead to the reissuing
of the papal bull in
march 1146
- main reason was for personal
salvation more than Edessa
- for penance and
salvation to the men of
the west
- Bernard's preaching
- knew a call for a crusade had
to reach a wide audience
- sent letters to different
parts of England,
Northern Italy and
Brittany
- Conrad of Germany rejected
call at first as he feared
Hungary may seize their land
- when Bernard asked Welf
of Bavaria (Conrad's main
rival) Conrad took the cross
- preached in Northern
France, Flanders and
Germany