The results and significance of the crusades for western Europe, and indeed, for the civilized world of all after times, are out of all propor tion to the little that was accomplished in Palestine. The result of the intercommunica tion of nations caused by a series of joint en terprises could scarcely fail to bring with it broadening of views and the intellectual de velopment consequent upon friction of minds trained so differently. In merely material prog ress, the most noteworthy effect was upon com merce. The use of many Eastern luxuries was introduced into Europe, and as a result the cities of Italy especially acquired commercial import ance. The commercial spirit thus aroused and the impetus of the later crusades gave rise to the Hanseatic League, which marks the first great step in modern commercial progress. In every branch of art and knowledge the effect of the crusades soon became evident. There has been in recent times a renewed interest in the 13th century. There are some who do not hesitate to say that the 13th is one of the greatest of centuries because of what it rep resents of accomplishment in the arts and of development of the human mind as well as the rise of human liberty. Nearly all of the move ments that led up to such acoomplishment can be traced to the crusades. In the East, the Europeans had come in contact with Arabian philosophy and Arabian mathematics, and the consequence was an interest in these subjects that spread very widely and that eventually gave rise to the university and even to the develop ment of such advanced physical science as was taught by Albertus Magnus and Roger Bacon. The interest of the Crusaders in Byzantine architecture and arts led to the development of a taste that soon created a demand that must be satisfied. Gothic architecture has been traced to Eastern influences. The other great arts of the 13th century, statuary, stained glass work ing, book illumination, metal working in its various forms and needlework, all owe their inspiration to Eastern sources. That they were
developed quite beyond the models that had been sent by Europeans is due to the fact that the generations following the crusades had tra ditions of accomplishment that led them to raise their genius to the highest possible point of accomplishment. Great political benefits in the crusades must not be overlooked. Many of the nobility lost their lives and many more lost their fortunes and their power, and as a con sequence government became more centralized and national. This was especially true in France, and as a consequence peace was easier to maintain. The honors conferred on many of the Crusaders gave them opportunities to rise such as they would not otherwise have had. The distribution of wealth brought about by the heavy expenses that were incurred gave opportunities for many of the poorer classes to enter into industrial and commercial occupa tions. The very independence of mind that had been acquired by the distant expeditions created a spirit of enterprise and made men much more ready to try far-off adventures and even com mercial speculations, than was the case before. Undoubtedly to the crusaders is owed more of what is distinctive in modern Europe than to any other connected series of human events.
Bibliography.— The literature of the cru sades is very extensive, and only a few of the principal titles can be given. The most im portant collection of sources is the (Recueil des historiens des croisades,) of which 15 volumes have been published (Paris 1841 et seq.). Con sult also Bongars, (Geste Dei per Francos) (Hanover 1611) ; Villehardouin and De Join ville, Chronicles of the Crusades> (1908) ; Brehier, et ,'Orient au Moyen Age' (Paris 1907).