What were the Crusades?

Crusades were military campaigns against Muslim countries, initiated by the higher Catholic Church authorities (including Popes) during Medieval Age. The official reason for the first crusade initiated in the 11th century was reclaiming the Holy Lands in order to allow free and safe pilgrimage there, but in fact crusades served the purpose of reinforcing military positions of the Byzantine Empire in its conflicts with Musclim countries. Many common people such as peasants and small feudals became crusaders hoping for finding wealth and better life in Jerusalem. Criminals of all sorts also became crusaders, because the Church indulged all the sins and crimes to a person who became a crusader.