The Crusades were a two-century battle between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land, which was important to both religions. The Crusades were a series of holy wars fought between European Christians and Middle Eastern Muslims, during the period between 1095 and 1291. The main purpose of the Crusades was for the Christians to take Jerusalem from the Muslims, but there were other reasons that European knights were willing to fight for. There were many reasons for the crusades, whether religious, economic or political. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay According to the people who fought in the crusades they would receive forgiveness of all sins from God. Another was that it was an opportunity for people to travel, make money and acquire wealth mainly by killing or stealing jewels and other valuables from corpses and looting cities. Other reasons were the defense of the Byzantine Empire from the Turks and the opening of new trade routes between Europe and the Middle East. Between 1095 and 1099, Pope Urban II succeeded in the First Crusade, conquering Jerusalem and was seen as the most successful crusade in the eyes of the European people. During the two hundred years of battle there were a total of nine crusades. The first began in 1095 and ended in 1099, when the Crusaders conquered the city of Jerusalem. The second was in 1147 and ended in 1149. The third was in 1189 and ended in 1192. The fourth was in 1202 and ended in 1204. The fifth was in 1217 and ended in 1221. The sixth was in 1228 and ended in 1229. seventh was in 1248 and ended in 1254. Eighth was in 1270 and ended in 1271. Ninth began in 1271 and ended in 1272. Excludes all smaller Popular Crusades. The war finally ended in 1272, ending a 200-year battle. The Knights Templar were God's Christian warriors, whose beginning can be traced back to Jerusalem and the aftermath of the First Crusade. After the First Crusade, when the city passed from Muslim to Christian occupation, there was an increase in the immigration of pilgrims from the West. Pilgrims coming from the west needed some sort of protection from the dangers of the city. This is where the name Knights Templar originally comes from. Around the year 1119, a group of French knights decided to establish a civil defense service with the aim of protecting pilgrims around Jerusalem from the dangers of the city. In the decades that followed, they ceased to be a bodyguard service and transformed into elite paramilitary units within the armies of the Crusades. In addition to being among the Christian warriors, the Templars began to take control of a vast financial network. which included real estate, banking, and even a prototype version of Western Union. By having these resources, the Knights Templar increased their wealth and control within the area they controlled. the Templars managed to establish a network of land and real estate possessions in Ireland, England, France, and in the kingdoms of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Germany, up to Cyprus. They had so much wealth and power that "during the Fifth Crusade, from 1213 to 1221, the Pope used the Templars as tax collectors because they had the ability to go around, collect taxes and pass them on to the Crusades." (source no. 3, paragraph 6, lines 6-9). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, the Crusades were a terrible time in ancient history. They were full of disease and famine. A clash between.