TILE RESULTS OF THE CRUSADES. The Crusades were of very great importance in the history of Europe in that they accelerated many movements which without them would probably have ad vanced much more gradually. They contributed to the growth of the great Italian seaports, by establishing closer commercial communications between Europe and the East; they enriched Church and increased its powers, and they helped to develop the strength of the French monarchy in killing off large numbers of the turbulent no bility, and removing others to a more grateful field of activity in Asia and Africa. For Europe at large the most important results were these: (1) They checked the advance of the Moham medans for a considerable period of time: for. by carrying the war into the enemy's country, they prevented his advance into Europe. It is true that too much stres, may be laid on this fact, for the Crusades undoubtedly weakened the Byzantine Empire and made it an easier prey for the Turks in the fifteenth century; hut in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the Crusading States in the East served as outposts to guard against the invasion of Europe. (2) The Cru sades enriched Europe greatly by promoting the growth of eommeree. In order to transfer the Crusading armies and to supply their various needs, great fleets had to be built. These brought back to the West the produets of the Orient. In Asia and Africa, the Crusaders acquired new tastes and desires, which had to be gratified by a more extensive commerce—witness the remark able growth in the use of sugars and spices in the twelfth century. Money. which previously had been hoarded, was put into circulation, to equip the crusading hosts. All of these causes led to a remarkable growth in wealth and pros perity. which benefited especially the inhabi tants of the cities in western Europe. This is regarded by many as the most important result of the Crusades. (31 The Crusades caused a broadening of the intellectual horizon and origi nated a tendency toward skepticism. "On its
Oriental Studienreisen, young Europe studied industriously and with great. results." The con stant contact for two centuries with the more advanced Byzantine and Arabic culture taught the Crusaders many lessons in civilization. The admiration which they learned to feel for heretics and Mohammedans dispelled many of their prejudices. Some Crusaders became Aloham medans. others became free-thinkers. There was a rapid spread of heresies. "'The roots of the Renaissance are to be found in the civilization of the Crusades." There have been three period, of great advance in the history of Europe: the Crusades, the Reformation, and the French Revolution; and of these three the Crusades were not the least important and influential.
llumiona.witv. The literature of the Crusade, is very extensive, and only a few of the principal titles can be given. The most important collec tion of sources is the Reeueil des historiens des croisadcs, of which fourteen folio volume, have been published (Paris, 1841. et seq.). Consult also: Bongars, Vesta lid per Franeos (Hanover. 1611), and the publications of the 8orietc' de l'G•ient (Paris, 1878-84). Of general historic, the best are: Wilken, Gesehiehte der Krenzt•iige (7 vols., Leipzig, 1807-32) ; Michaud, Uhistoire des eroisades (Paris. 1825-29. many editions), and also an English translation by Robson, His tory of the Crusades (London, 1881) : Kugler, Gesehi•hte der Kreuzziige (Berlin, 1891) ; Arch er and Kingsford. The Crusades (New York. 1895) : Prinz, Kulturgeschichte der Kreuzziiye (Berlin, 1883) ; von Sybel, Gesrhiehte des ersten If rev zzuges (Leipzig. 1900) : R6hricht. Ge schich te des Kii,7 igreiehs Jerusalem ( Berlin, 1898). See ANTIocu, PRINCIPALITY OF; DAN 1101.0 ; LATIN KINGDOM OF JERUSALEM.