As the Holy Roman Empire emerged as a major power in Western Europe the Christians began to look upon the holy city with longing eyes. In 1095 CE Pope Urban II gave a speech explaining to the nobility of Europe that the Muslims were holding Jerusalem captive. This speech lights a fire under the Christians in Western Europe to go liberate the holy land. The crusades were considered a holy war between the Catholics and the Muslims. Even though the Pope gave his apparently inspiring speech in 1095 CE the Crusaders, for the most part, did not make it to Jerusalem until 1099 CE. This is because it took some time for them to collect themselves and gather up enough supplies to make it to the destination. The Catholic Church offered indulgences to all who either went on a crusade, or if they donated money or supplies to a crusade.
This first wave of crusaders was eventually successful in gaining control of Jerusalem in 1099 CE when Godfrey de Bullion broke through the city walls. The Christians ruled over the Holy City for about 100 years after that. July 4 1187 CE the crusaders were defeated by Salah-ad-Din at the Horns of Hattin. With no army left Jerusalem surrenders to the Muslim ruler. The new Islamic ruler purifies the temple mount, gives the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to the Christians, and allows the Jews to come back to Jerusalem.
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