“Oh,
race of Franks, race from across the mountains… beloved and chosen by God. Let hatred depart. Let all war cease. Enter
onto the road to the Holy Sepulcher...” (Pope Urban II, 1095)
Rome’s
wilting son, Byzantium.
Was
threatened
By
the Islamic faith flowing into the Holy Land.
They
ate away at the empire
As
Caliphs claimed their territory.
Warring
Seljuks replaced them.
Byzantium
asked for help
People
were concerned.
The
pope was concerned.
“They
threaten our religious livelihood!” they said.
“We
must get rid of them!”
“Deus
vult!”
The
pope said.
“Deus vult!”
The
people said.
“God
wills it.”
“It
is up to him!”
So
they grabbed their armor and went off to fight
Eagar
to take the Holy Land from the Turk’s hand.
But,
as Rome’s son soon found out
They
were too eager.
Knights,
Rich,
Poor,
Nobles,
Commoners
Trudged
across Europe
Abandoning
homes
Dressed
in silver armor
Painted
with the crimson cross
To
fight for God.
Many
believed they were right.
The
knights had obligations.
Still
more did it just to line their pockets.
Young
aristocrats wanted land.
Others
hoped for plunder.
With
direction from a hermit preacher
Some
couldn’t wait for the Holy Land
So
they sent God’s chosen
To
sleep in the land of Worms.
The
preacher and his men
Continued
to their holy spot
Where
many met a terrible end.
The
ultimate goal was met
When
the Turks left the land
A
crusader castle was built
To
protect Jerusalem’s pilgrims
As
they came to see their holy relics
Buying
holy wares.
Though
the rivers of eager men
Flowed
strong to the Holy Land
They
were no match for the Turk named Zengi.
Built
on unstable foundations
The
crusader castle slowly fell apart.
