Led by Louis VII of France and Conrad III of
Germany.
Motivated by royal prestige, the chance to expand their
power and influence, and to be 'catholic figureheads'.
Conrad III's involvement is more
controversial as the papacy wanted this to
be a French mission.
The Preaching of St. Bernard of Clairvaux encouraged many to go on crusade, he was
commissioned by the Pope to make highly emotional pleas, it was his sermon at Vezelay
that inspired Louis, Eleanor of Aquitaine and other French Nobles to take the cross.
St Bernard travelled to Germany and
encouraged Conrad to join.
He was one of the most influential religious figures at the time and he took
a lot of blame for its failure as he was the one who had
encouraged it the most.
Crusade was a response to the fall of the county of
Edessa in 1144. Edessa had been founded during the
first crusade.
Aims were to recover the country of Edessa, destroy Turkish armies, and provide reinforcements to Jerusalem.
Why did the crusade fail?
Crusade marched to Holy Land, however there was little communication
and cooperation between the French and German forces, Conrad and
Louis marched separately across Europe.
Crusaders got distracted and didn't fulfil their aims,
ended up fighting in Damascus.
Attack on Damascus was ill judged, not prepared for and had a lack of provisions.
Crusade lacked leadership, Louis was a man with little military
experience. This caused morale to fall.
Too many nationalities and divided armies.
Eleanor of Aquitaine accompanies Louis on the
crusade, leading women. She disagreed with his
decision to abandon the crusade.