Since Late Antiquity monks had played an important role in medieval society. In fact, monks were considered essential to the salvation of everyone. Monks were thought to be models of virtue and piety, and consequently their prayers were considered more effective than the prayers of other people. Therefore the monks had the job of beseeching God to forgive the sins of others and to give them eternal life. Monks’ prayers were even considered essential for …showed first 75 words of 1496 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1496 total…increasing fury. G1 The Fourth Crusade Popes called many Crusades during the 12th and 13th centuries. In addition, armed troops were periodically sent east to help defend the crusader states, the regions in the Holy Land conquered by Europeans. Through much of this, the ideal of the Crusades remained essentially the same: armed pilgrimages for Christian purposes. However, the Fourth Crusade, which was called by Pope Innocent III in 1199, was a turning point. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**