Religious fervor and preparation: Crusaders were driven by religious zeal and the desire to liberate the Holy Land. Before departure, they underwent spiritual preparations, including sermons, prayers, and receiving blessings from religious leaders.
Economic and social impact: The Crusades had significant economic and social effects on Europe. Many nobles, knights, and commoners sold their lands or belongings to finance their journeys. The economic burden on families and communities could sometimes be substantial. Crusaders often left behind wives, children, and estates, leading to significant changes in family dynamics and power structures.
Military training and feudal bonds: Crusaders came from various backgrounds, but they shared a common military culture. They engaged in training, such as jousting and sword fighting. Feudal bonds and knightly codes of conduct were important in shaping the social interactions and leadership structures within the Crusader armies.
Contact with the Muslim world: The Crusades led to increased cultural interactions between Europe and the Muslim world. Crusaders encountered new languages, religions, customs, and technologies during their campaigns in the Middle East. This exposure left lasting impacts on European society and culture. For instance, spices and fabrics from the East became coveted commodities in Europe, and advances in science, literature, and philosophy found their way into European intellectual circles.
Religious Tolerance and Intolerance: While the primary goal of the Crusades was to conquer Jerusalem and the Holy Land, there were variations in the Crusaders' attitudes towards Muslims and Jews. Some Crusaders showed relative tolerance and coexisted with local populations, engaging in trade and cultural exchanges. However, many displayed religious intolerance and engaged in brutal persecution of non-Christians, leading to conflicts and violence.
Return to Europe: Upon completing their service in the Crusades or after failed attempts to establish permanent Christian rule in the Middle East, many crusaders returned to their home countries. They brought back new ideas, skills, and experiences that influenced European society and contributed to the broader developments in the medieval era.
In summary, the lives of crusaders while they lived in Europe were shaped by religious zeal, feudal obligations, economic challenges, cultural encounters with the Muslim world, and the ongoing struggles to retake the Holy Land.