The Crusades

The Crusades were a group of wars that happened about 900 years ago. Christian armies from Europe marched to the Middle East. They wanted to control the Holy Land, especially the city of Jerusalem. The wars lasted for almost 200 years. There were several big Crusades and many smaller ones.

Knights and Battles

Knights were the main fighters in the Crusades. They wore heavy armor and rode horses. Kings and lords led the armies. Getting to the Holy Land took many months by ship or on foot. Many people did not survive the long and dangerous journey.

Crosses carved into old church walls by Crusader knights.
Crosses carved into old church walls by Crusader knights. (Victorgrigas / Wikimedia Commons)

Sharing Ideas

The Crusades were not only about fighting. People from Europe and the Middle East met and traded with each other. Europeans learned about new foods like sugar and spices. They also learned about new math, medicine, and books from the Arab world. These ideas helped change Europe forever.

Fun Facts

  • There were at least nine major Crusades.
  • Some Crusaders brought home apricots, lemons, and rice.
  • The famous English king Richard the Lionheart fought in the Third Crusade.

Did You Know?

A sad event called the Children's Crusade happened in 1212, when groups of young people tried to march to the Holy Land but never made it.