Urban II launches the first Crusade 1095

walwyn Tue, 07/26/2011 - 12:37
Wednesday, November 27, 1095

During his speech at the council of Clermont on the 27th of November 1095, Pope Urban II issues a decree calling for military assistance to the Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenus in his fight against the Seljuk Turks.

The decree states that:

Whoever for devotion alone, not to gain honour or money, goes to Jerusalem to liberate the Church of God can substitute this journey for all penance.

 

and starts the First Crusade.