What+were+the+Crusades?

 What were the Crusades?
 * The Crusades were a series of military actions in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. They were started by Christian countries all over Europe, and were fought against Muslims. The official start of the Crusades is considered to be in 1095, when Pope Claremont, at the Council of Claremont, preached about the First Crusade. Because of his preaching, thousands of people immediately gave up their home lives and went to fight for their religion. This was the first Crusade of a total eight. There were four large Crusades, the Principal Crusades, and there were four smaller Crusades, the Minor Crusades. On top of these, there was another Crusade that is called the Children's Crusade. This was a very small Crusade, so it is not counted in the eight. As with all wars, there were many other small skirmishes, but these aren't counted as Crusades because they didn't produce enough, if any, results. **


 * This website has any and all information on the Crusades: **
 * http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook1k.html **