Impact of Crusades in European History
The time referred to as the High Middle Ages in Europe in the 11th century was in stark contrast to the Europe of the Renaissance. The continent was divided into kingdoms of weaker monarchs fragmented into small fiefdoms. The political landscape was dominated by the powerful aristocracy and even more powerful men of the religion. Life conditions were dismal for most of the population, trade was nearly nonexistent. In terms of arts and sciences, European civilization was dwarfed by those of the Middle East and Asia. Yet, in a couple centuries Europe would become one of the most powerful, sophisticated civilizations in the world. This change can be attributed in no small part to its interaction with the Orient though Crusades that spanned from the end of the 11th century to the end of the 13th century. The 35,000 men that joined the first Crusade embarked on a journey to a world that was very different than Europe. After capturing Jerusalem and settling down in various places in the Middle East, they saw that the Muslims lived luxurious lives. Their civilization was hundreds of years ahead of their own in terms of culture, technology and sciences. The Arabs had spent centuries in major cities copying the texts of classical Greek philosophers and making additions on the existing body of knowledge. The works of philosopher scientists such as Ibn Sina and Biruni were taught in European centers of learning emerging at the time of the first crusades. The Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina was so ahead of the advancements in Europe that the book was used in universities until as late as 1650’s. In addition to the sciences were the widespread use of revolutionary products such as paper and gunpowder in the Middle East. Metal smiting, cloth making techniques were also much more advanced. These products helped shape the scientific and political landscape in Europe in the centuries to come. With gunpowder, muskets and cannons came into use, drastically altering the type and scale of warfare fought in Europe. The affordability of paper meant more people had access to information. The crusaders who brought back books and ideas with them ultimately helped spark the rapid improvements in sciences and technology in Europe, the Renaissance. In addition to possessing superior knowledge in sciences, Muslims in the Seljuk and Abbasid Empires lived comfortable, luxurious lives. The Bedouins had left the deserts to live in great towns like Jerusalem and Damascus which were in the crossroads of trading routes. Wealth in forms of spices, silks and jewelry was transported from across China and India. “The elegance of the Orient, with its silks, tapestries, precious stones, perfumes, spices, pearls and ivory, was so enchanting that an enthusiastic crusader called it ‘the vestibule of Paradise”. Lucrative trade routes were set up between Europe and the Orient. Italian merchants helped the Crusaders acquire coastal strips in return for trade and judiciary privileges Trade and the need of Crusaders to pay for their fare resulted in the emergence of primitive banking systems. Up until the 11th century, most wars were fought on a small scale when considered to what was to follow in later European history. The soldiers of kings and lords were horsed noblemen who had high upkeep, satisfied their needs from lands appointed to them. Then there was the commoners who fought for plunder. Kings were not used to paying large sums of money for standing armies. Soldiers were expected to pay for their own travel expenses. To raise money, landed soldiers sold their land, resulting in the availability of land for peasants to buy and a banking system. An order of knights, the Knights Templar, formed such an efficient system that they gave loans to the Aragonese Crown in 1130 The roots of the Renaissance rests in the scientific, cultural and economic wealth of the Islamic states in the Middle East that was brought to Europe through the Crusades. Changes that were brought to the Occident resulted in the upheaval of the socio-economic system in Europe and sealed the High Middle Ages. Europe as we know it today, in its technological advancement and relative luxury resulted from the Crusades.

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[ 1 ]. Masoumeh Banitalebi, et al. , "The Impact of Islamic Civilization and Culture in Europe During the Crusades," World Journal of Islamic History and Civilization, 2012: 182-187. 183
[ 2 ]. Banitalebi, et al. , "The Impact of Islamic Civilization and Culture in Europe During the Crusades,", 185
[ 3 ]. Riley-Smith, Jonathan. The Oxford History of the Crusades. Berkshire: Oxford University Press, 1999. 116
[ 4 ]. Riley-Smith, Jonathan. The Oxford History of the Crusades. 191