Author Bio: Robert the Monk (d. 1122) was a notable chronicler of the First Crusade. Although relatively obscure in many respects, Robert the Monk remains famous for detailing Pope Urban II's speech at the Council of Clermont. Although he writes the account as though he were there, recent historical accounts reveal that Robert the Monk wrote this in 1116, some twenty-one years afterwards. Although highly romanticized due to hindsight of the war, Robert the Monk's work still gives perspective to the time era.
Speaker: Pope Urban II (1042 - 1099) was Pope from 1088 to his death eleven years later. Notably, he is responsible for establishing the modern-day Roman Curia as a means to run the church. He also is remembered for launching the First Crusades (1096-1099) as an attempt to recapture the Holy Lands from the Muslims of the East.
Date/Context: There are five contemporary accounts of Pope Urban II's speech at Clermont, but this particular version by Robert the Monk is credible and shows Urban's justification for launching the First Crusade starting in 1096. The Crusade lasted three years and ended when the crusaders set up several Christian territories.
Summary: The document begins with a short description of how Urban II spoke to a council in Clermont, Auvergne, France, and then proceeded to give in a speech in the town square to the townspeople. Then, Robert the Monk quotes (or attempts to quote) what the Pope said. Urban II starts his talk by referencing God and saying that the people of Persia, "enemies of God" had taken over a tract of land so large that it took months to travel across. He describes the horrors felt by persecuted Christians (women and children) in the region as well and states that it is the duty of these townspeople to seek revenge and save their brethren. He urges that the people of Christ stop their internal quarreling and go out to save their brothers and sisters. To conclude his speech, Urban II states, "Whenever you meet the enemy in battle, you shall all cry out, 'It is the will of God! It is the will of God!'"
Key Quotation: "Set out on the road to the holy sepulchre, take the land from that wicked people, and make it your own... This land our Savior made illustrious by his birth, beautiful with his life, and sacred with his suffering; he redeemed it with his death and glorified it with his tomb... Set out on this journey and you will obtain the remission of your sins and be sure of the incorrigible glory of the kingdom of heaven."
This analysis covers the information conveyed in the primary document very well. I would only add that this speech led to the slaughter of thousands as the Christians that Pope Urban II rallied with his speech were willing to fight for their religion. His appeal to emotion, also a call to arms, empowers the Christian populace to reclaim their holy land.
ReplyDeleteMuch like "The Funeral Oration of Pericles," this speech is a call to arms. Urban details the threats to Christianity/Christians before calling fighters to reclaim the Holy Lands. He also addresses the constant internal clashes ("civil wars") that are taking a toll on Christians. Finally, remember to put this into a global context - the Orthodox Church officially broke away from papal authority in 1054 and this is the golden age of Islamic civilization.
ReplyDelete"The sad news has come from Jerusalem and Constantinople that the people of Persia, an accursed and foreign race, enemies of God, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God [Ps. 78:8], have invaded the lands of those Christians and devastated them with the sword, rapine, and fire."