Fulcher of Chartres, Pope Urban II’s Speech at Clermont (1095)

The papacy emerged from the Gregorian reforms with enhanced power and prestige as the head of Western Christendom. Pope Urban II (r. 1088–1099) embraced his position of leadership and directed it toward a new cause: freeing Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Seljuk Turks. They had seized control of the city as part of a broader expansionist campaign in Asia Minor. In need of military reinforcements to counter this threat, the Byzantine emperor called on the pope for help. Urban II’s response is captured in the document that follows. It is a version of a speech he delivered to a large crowd in Clermont, France, in 1095 urging them to put down their weapons against one another and use them instead against the “infidel” in the Holy Land. Cleric Fulcher of Chartres (c. 1059–c. 1127) was present at the speech and was one of the tens of thousands who took up the pope’s call to fight for God. He served as chaplain for one of the crusade leaders and recorded his experiences, including what he heard that day in Clermont, in a three-volume Chronicle. His firsthand knowledge of events combined with the richness of his account make his Chronicle among the most reliable of all sources on the First Crusade.

From Oliver J. Thatcher and Edgar Holmes McNeal, A Source Book for Medieval History (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1905), 516–17.

Although, O sons of God, you have promised more firmly than ever to keep the peace among yourselves and to preserve the rights of the church, there remains still an important work for you to do. Freshly quickened by the divine correction, you must apply the strength of your righteousness to another matter which concerns you as well as God. For your brethren who live in the east are in urgent need of your help, and you must hasten to give them the aid which has often been promised them. For, as the most of you have heard, the Turks and Arabs have attacked them and have conquered the territory of Romania [the Greek empire] as far west as the shore of the Mediterranean and the Hellespont, which is called the Arm of St. George. They have occupied more and more of the lands of those Christians, and have overcome them in seven battles. They have killed and captured many, and have destroyed the churches and devastated the empire. If you permit them to continue thus for awhile with impunity, the faithful of God will be much more widely attacked by them. On this account I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ’s heralds to publish this everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends. I say this to those who are present, it is meant also for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it.

All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested. O what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer a people which has the faith of omnipotent God and is made glorious with the name of Christ! With what reproaches will the Lord overwhelm us if you do not aid those who, with us, profess the Christian religion! Let those who have been accustomed unjustly to wage private warfare against the faithful now go against the infidels and end with victory this war which should have been begun long ago. Let those who, for a long time, have been robbers, now become knights. Let those who have been fighting against their brothers and relatives now fight in a proper way against the barbarians. Let those who have been serving as mercenaries for small pay now obtain the eternal reward. Let those who have been wearing themselves out in both body and soul now work for a double honor. Behold! on this side will be the sorrowful and poor, on that, the rich; on this side, the enemies of the Lord, on that, his friends. Let those who go not put off the journey, but rent their lands and collect money for their expenses; and as soon as winter is over and spring comes, let them eagerly set out on the way with God as their guide.

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