§ 59. EFFECTS OF THE CRUSADES. 291
which could have but one effect upon the peoples of the East. While the Crusades were still in progress, the objec tion was made in Western Europe, that they were not fol lowed by spiritual fruits, but that on the contrary the Saracens were converted to blasphemy rather than to the faith. Being killed, they were sent to hell.1
Again, the Crusades gave occasion for the rapid develop ment of the system of papal indulgences, which became a dogma of the mediseval theologians. The practice, once begun by Urban II. at the very outset of the movement, was extended further and further until indulgence for sins was promised not only for the warrior who took up arms against the Saracens in the East, but for those who were willing to fight against Christian heretics in Western Europe. Indul gences became a part of the very heart of the sacrament of penance, and did incalculable damage to the moral sense of Christendom. To this evil was added the exorbitant taxa tions levied by the popes and their emissaries. Matthew Paris complains of this extortion for the expenses of Crusades as a stain upon that holy cause.2
And yet the Crusades were not in vain. It is not possible to suppose that Providence did not carry out some impor tant, immediate and ultimate purpose for the advancement of mankind through this long war, extending over two hun dred years, and involving some of the best vital forces of two continents. It may not always be easy to distinguish between the effects of the Crusades and the effects of other forces active in this period, or to draw an even balance be tween them. But it may be regarded as certain that they made far-reaching contributions to the great moral, reli-
1 So Humbert de Romanis, 1274; Mansi, XXIV. 116. A sixth objec tion against the Crusades as stated and answered by him ran as follows : quod ex ista pugna -non sequitur fructus spiritualis quia Saraceni magis convertuntur ad blasphemiam quam ad fidem; occisi autem ad infernum mittuntur, etc.
2 II. 338, etc.
292 THE MIDDLE AGES. A.D. 1049-1294.
gious, and social change which the institutions of Europe underwent in the latter half of the Middle Ages.
First, the Crusades engaged the minds of men in the con templation of a high and unselfish aim. The rescue of the Holy Sepulchre was a religious passion, drawing attention away from the petty struggles of ecclesiastics in the asser tion of priestly prerogative, from the violent conflict of papacy and empire, and from the humdrum casuistry of scholastic and conventual dispute.1 Even Gibbon2 admits that "the controlling emotion with the most of the Cru saders was, beyond question, a lofty ideal of enthusiasm."
Considered in their effects upon the papacy, they offered it an unexampled opportunity for the extension of its au thority. But on the other hand, by educating the laity and developing secular interests, they also aided in undermin ing the power of the hierarchy.
As for the political institutions of Europe, they called forth and developed that spirit of nationality which resulted in the consolidation of the states of Europe in the form which they have since retained with little change. When the Crusades began, feudalism nourished. When the Cru sades closed, feudalism was decadent throughout Europe, and had largely disappeared from parts of it. The need petty knights and great nobles had to furnish themselves with adequate equipments, led to the pawn or sale of their estates and their prolonged absence gave sovereigns a rare opportunity to extend their authority. And in the ad joining camps of armies on Syrian soil, the customs and pride of independent national life were fostered.
Upon the literature and individual intelligence of Western Europe, the Crusades, no doubt, exerted a powerful influence,
1 Archer, p. 447, well says: "They raised mankind above the ignoble sphere of petty ambitions to seek after an ideal that was neither sordid nor selfish. They called forth all that was heroic in human nature, and filled the world with the inspiration of noble thoughts and deeds."
2 Decline and Fall. LVIII.