‘God Wills It’: Signs of Divine Approval in the Crusade Movement
Bernard Hamilton
Robert the Monk, who was present at Council of Clermont in 1095 and heard Urban II preach crusade sermon, reports that when he had finished speaking all were there shouted: ‘God wills it. God it’. The pope, tells us, saw this unanimity a sign divine inspiration: ‘I tell you has drawn response from to express feeling which inspired your hearts’. Yet although Urban’s arguments eloquence convinced his audience Clermont, reactions more ambivalent among some people West, even those took cross. This legacy ambiguous attitude Western churchmen towards violence warfare. society early medieval centuries very violent, and, as Guy Halsall rightly pointed out, Church helped determine norms Christian found acceptable. No doubt viewed their intervention primarily limitation exercise. From later ninth century onwards, Carolingian Empire declined, popes intermittently called on warriors West come aid. Indeed, ways campaign Garigliano, conducted by league Byzantine Lombard forces organized Pope John X, himself part fighting, achieved its objective ridding Papal States bands Muslim raiders settled there, like rehearsal for First Crusade. further tried influence behaviour fighting men encouraging Truce Peace movements eleventh century, areas liturgical blessing swords introduced. Consequently, Europe accustomed hierarchy’s calling them help.
Studies in Church History