The Effect of The Crusades on Women

The crusades affected women in many ways. Those left at home had to learn how to manage without their men for long periods, even for life if the men never returned. Women who joined their menfolk on the battlefield had to endure the hardship of life in army camps and some of them even went into battle with the men. The crusades affected all women, from the nobility down to the lowest peasant.

Women on the Crusades

Women did “take the cross” and join crusades as they were not just holy wars but pilgrimages as well. The preachers believed that women shouldn’t fight as they were not physically capable, were a drain on resources and their presence was a distraction to the men. They thought that as this was a pilgrimage the men should be praying not spending time with women and sinning. This would lead God to be angry with them and the crusade would fail.

Many men did take their wives and children with them on crusades. Women worked hard behind the lines; they carried water to the troops, acted as first aiders and assisted with basic labouring within the camps. Women could use some weapons like bows and noblewomen would command troops.

Women’s bodies were said to have been found on the battlefield after a battle outside Acre on 25 July 1190. It is highly likely that ordinary women went with the men. It shocked the Muslims that the Christian women were fighting, as, except in extreme emergency, Muslim women didn’t fight.

Women left at home

Men who went off to fight could be gone for ten years or might never return. The women who were left behind had to learn to look after themselves. About 500,000 men did not return from the second and third crusades.

Women were often left to look after their land and households as many experienced soldiers were called away to fight in the Second Crusade. Women had to defend their property as neighbouring lords would attack them in the hope of gaining land and goods. Women had far more authority than they ever had before in their new role of lord of the manor. They had to look after legal matters, farming, and raise money for ransom as well as the usual female tasks. They were even expected, when necessary, to lead armies into battle.

Women Regents