2. Crusade

2nd Crusade 1147 – 1149

The plan of the 2nd crusade was to win back the lost Edessa, which was conquered in 1143 by the Seljuk under Zengi. The loss and previous conquest of Antioch (1137) by the Byzans under John II provoked concern and anger in Western Europe.

It could happen because the crusaders were at odds with each other and therefore did not come to each other`s aid. They had conquered land that did not belong to them. As a result, the neighboring countries fought back. In this situation, the king of Jerusalem asked the pope for help. Finally, on March 31, 1146, Bernhard von Clairvaik called Christianity to the 2nd crusade because the so-called pagans threatened to conquer the promised land. Bernhard was also able to persuade Emperor Konrad III, King Ludwig VII and their army to take part in the fighting. For example, one reason to fight was the promise that a crusade promised the forgiveness of all sins.

The army left in 1147. The French took the sea route, whereas the Germans from Regensburg had decided to take the land route via Hungary. In Byzantium, the army met and plundered due to food shortages. However, Manuel I, Emperor of Byzantium, did not put up with it. He demanded a homage which the princes did not show him. However, they demanded a reception befitting their status, which Manuel, for his part, refused.

Shortly thereafter, Konrad was attacked by the Seljuk at Dorylaeum, which brought him heavy casualties in these battles. Eventually he had to flee to the Holy Land by sea with the help of the Byzantine fleet. In 1148, Louis was also attacked by the Muslims near Laodicea, so that Louis` army was greatly weakened.

Manuel was in a dilemma. On the one hand, he did not want the Crusader states to lose to the Muslims, because then he would lose their gain. On the other hand, he was interested in Crusaders that weren`t too strong, since then they wouldn`t have been dependent on him anymore.

Bust before Damascus

After everyone was together again, Konrad, Ludwig and the king of Jerusalem planned the conquest of Damascus. This happened even though Damascus was neutral and dependent on the crusader states and had nothing to do with the cause of the crusade. After attacking the city, it allied itself with the Islamic states. The campaign of conquest against Askalon also failed.

It was now clear that the 2nd Crusade was lost in 1139 and they could no longer recapture Edessa due to the superior strength of the enemy.