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Crusades

Cultural  
  1. A series of wars fought from the late eleventh through the thirteenth centuries, in which European kings and warriors set out to gain control of the lands in which Jesus lived, known as the Holy Land. At that time, these areas were held by Muslims. The Crusaders conquered Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem) in 1099 but failed to secure the Holy Land, and they were driven out by the late thirteenth century. Nevertheless, the Crusades had several lasting results, including the exposure of Europeans to the goods, technology, and customs of Asia.


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The Crusades left a legacy of bitterness against Europeans and Christians among Muslims.

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The Crusades, for example, sped development of international finance and spurred creation of double-entry bookkeeping.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 29, 2026

The great Derek Jacobi plays the titular 12th century monk who was once a soldier of the Crusades.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 8, 2026

Christendom, in the medieval world of the Crusades, was Europe against the Islamic world.

From Slate Apr. 9, 2026

Critics sought to link his tattoos of symbols from the Crusades with far-right extremism.

From BBC Mar. 11, 2026

Mackay had a low opinion of all Crusades.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

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