andrewcriddle

Theoretically the 1st crusade was carried out to assist the Byzantine Empire. The crusade leaders made agreements with the Emperor about working together and Antioch (until recently Byzantine) was held by the crusaders as vassals of the Byzantine Emperor.

The reality was somewhat different

Andrew Criddle

demoninho

What were canadian, australian and american troops doing fighting in Europe?

Okay, Ill admit, the crusaders did not behave very well in Byzantium nor in Jerusalem after they liberated it but that does not mean the initial reason for going on the crusade was unjust, especially when you consider the harrassment and discrimination going on by the mohammedan overlords on the original jewish and christian population.

dancer_rnb

Was it any worse than what they suffered under Orthodox rule? A lot of theose Christians were not Orthodox.

Add
And I'm not sure the Roman church would treat them any better.

At that time, if you were not of the exact same belief as the people in power, but they saw you as some sort of heratic, you were screwed

dancer_rnb

Actually they would be more like Soviet troops driving out the Nazis in Eastern Europe.

At best. I read that perscution of non orthodox Christian helped with the conquest of Egypt and Syria.

demoninho

I suppose I could live with that analogy...