STEP 3-Muslim Offensives and Further Crusades
The victories of the Crusading Army did not totally destroy the Muslim threat. A massive Saracen offensive in the middle 1100's resulted in the fall of the Crusader kingdom of Edessa. This defeat and the preaching of St. Bernhard of Clairvaux resulting in the massing of an European army for a Second Crusade. This crusading army would contain more than knights and foot soldiers. After the death of Godfrey of Bouillion, two military orders of monks known as the Knights Templar and the Knights of St. John joined the Crusading Army. These orders were totally dedicated to the religious causes inherent in the Crusades. These orders and the remainder of the Crusading Army set off for Palestine under the command of Emperor Conrad III of Germany and King Louis VII of France. The military actions of this Crusade began with the seige of Damascus in Syria which accomplished little. Turkish armies soon arrived in the area of Palestine and Asia Minor. A Muslim offensive resulted in the defeat Emperor Manual of Byzantium and the Crusading Army. The defeat of the Crusading Army resulted in the capture of the Holy Cross and preaching for yet another Crusade.