The Children’s Crusade was a disastrous venture led by two young boys – Nicholas of Cologne and Stephen of Cloyes – who led thousands of youngsters on a futile adventure to the Holy Land. Some died having never reached Jerusalem while others, more horrifically, were captured and sold in the slave markets of Tunis. The aftermath saw a wave of recriminations and even lynchings.
There’s no doubting the emotions that were whipped up by crusading fever. Thousands of men, and women, wanted to “take the cross” and do their bit to establish Christian kingdoms in what is now Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Holy places like Jerusalem and Bethlehem had to be under Christian rule. But in 1187, Jerusalem was lost to a Muslim army, led by Saladin. This was greeted with dismay in the west.
Some children decided that they could do a better job than the grown ups. If only they could get to the Holy Land, they would re-establish control over Jerusalem and reinvigorate the crusades. A contemporary account – the Chronica Regiae Coloniensis – described boys and girls as young as six leaving ploughs and carts in the fields, and abandoning the farms to go on crusade. Many of their neighbours were alarmed by this strange development.
This they did despite the wishes of their parents, relatives, and friends who sought to make them draw back. Suddenly one ran after another to take the cross. Thus, by groups of twenty, or fifty, or a hundred, they put up banners and began to journey to Jerusalem.
Local villagers condemned the children for their arrogance and impetuousness and urged them not to be so foolish. But they responded, full of confidence.
They briefly replied that they were equal to the Divine will in this matter and that, whatever God might wish to do with them, they would accept it willingly and with humble spirit.
Two children led simultaneous movements in France and Germany. Stephen (Étienne) of Cloyes was a 12-year-old French shepherd boy who led a group of approximately 30,000 children, adolescents, and adults on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1212. Stephen’s followers believed he had been given a letter from Jesus to deliver to the King of France. The boy was met by King Philip II (also known as Philip Augustus). His Majesty was not impressed by the bedraggled specimens before him and urged the children to go home to their parents.
But Stephen disobeyed his king. Instead, leading the children on towards the port of Marseille on the south coast of France. By this point, half the initial 30,000 had peeled off and headed back to their villages. But a hard core of young zealots persisted. Stephen clearly had some charisma and a gift with words. However, by the time they reached the port, the remaining kids were tired and hungry.
What happened next would be despicable in any age. Two French merchants – Hugh the Iron and William of Posqueres – promised the children safe conduct by sea to the Holy Land. The youngsters trooped on to a boat, which then set sail for Tunis. When they arrived, Hugh and William trafficked the children into slavery – in return for money from local slave dealers.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Roman Empire, which covered most of modern Germany, another child – Nicholas of Cologne – was organising his own crusade. He claimed to have received orders from Jesus to retake the Holy Land and inspired a large following of children, adults, and women to march towards the Mediterranean. Nicholas convinced his followers that the sea would part before them, allowing them to reach Jerusalem, as it had for Moses.
When about seven thousands young crusaders reached the Italian port of Genoa, Nicholas attempted to part the sea – but it resolutely refused to oblige. After several attempts to emulate Moses, the children became disheartened and turned on their leader. He insisted that they had to march on, this time to the city of Pisa. According to some accounts, a group of his steadily depleting army did manage to board a ship bound for the Holy Land – although they may also have been tricked into enslavement.
Nicholas, in contrast, made his way to the court of Pope Innocent III – the most powerful pope in history. While His Holiness was taken aback by their religious conviction, he had not sanctioned these juvenile crusades. He told the children to return home immediately. At this point, Nicholas agreed to abandon his failed military expedition. Sadly, he – and others – died, crossing back over the snowy Alps to reach their homeland.
If you would like to know more about the Knights Templar, then get your hands on a copy of my book: The Knights Templar – History & Mystery. Published by Pen & Sword and available on Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, and WHSmith. Don’t miss out on your copy!
Reblogged this on Lenora's Culture Center and Foray into History.
Thanks for the reblog!