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Click on the red cross to the right to hear the story of The Children's Crusades

After the Fourth Crusade the kings and nobles of Europe gave no more thought to the Holy Land, but turned their attention to managing their affairs at home. There would probably be no other another crusade if it had not been for the Children of Europe who were suddenly keen on freeing the Holy Land from the Muslims.     The Children's Crusade was one of the saddest events in history.  In the summer of 1212 thousands of children, ages 8-15, led by two young boys Stephen and Nicholas 12 years old believed the children of Europe could take the Holy Land away from the Muslims. Stephen from France and Nicholas from Germany led separate crusade. The crusaders traveled through Europe singing hymns and praying aloud. They believed God would protect them, would feed them and would roll back the waters of the Mediterranean Sea so they could cross into the Holy Land safely.      Hundreds of the little crusaders died before they reached the Mediterranean Sea from hunger, disease, and the long journey. Water was also a problem because many children drank impure water along the way.  The children coming from Germany had to cross the Alps to reach the Mediterranean Sea and many died from frostbite by walking barefoot in the snow, and lack of food.             The crusaders arrived at the Mediterranean Sea and waited days for the water to part or other signs from God but nothing happened.  Many gave up and slowly made their way back home. Finally, two sea captains came and offered to ferry the children across the sea to the Holy Land. Seven ships, carrying about 700 crusaders, set sailed. On the way they encountered a storm. Two ships sank and all onboard drowned, including Stephen. The surviving children were taken to Egypt and sold into slavery  The little crusaders never made it to the Holy Land Additional learning resources:  http://www.answers.com/topic/children-s-crusademl:namespace BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR THE CURRENT PAGE     Textbooks:World History - Medieval and Early Modern Times. Evanston: McDougal Littell, 2006. (150 – 199)Across the Centuries. Boston: Houghton Miifflin Company, 1997. (108 – 153)  Internet Websites: Kreis, Steven. “The Children’s Crusade (1212)” - Lectures on Ancient and Medieval European History  The History Guide <http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/children.html Britannica information about “Children’s Crusade,” Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved <http://www.answers.com/topic/children-s-crusade>    “The Children’s Crusade,” Latter Rain <http://later-rain.com/crusades/cruchil.htm “The Children’s Crusade and Cloyes, France,” Genealogy <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~walkersj/Childrencrusade.htm>

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