Sold into slavery and killed in the Alps, what was the end of children's crusade, the terrible adventure of the middle Ages

In 1212, Europe has gone mad. Was started the next crusade to Jerusalem. This time to liberate the Holy Sepulchre has gathered the kings and knights, and the 30-strong crowd of children. Ahead of the young crusaders were not expecting victory and not death by the Muslim sword, and slavery. The kids got into it because of their co-religionists — the Marseilles merchants Hugh of Ferrous and William Porcus.

In the Middle ages, the concept of "child" did not exist. This word in the modern sense came into use only at the beginning of a New time. Aristocrats gave to the sons of relatives or friends, where they received a rough upbringing and became soldiers or priests. Girls were raised by nurses, their destiny was to be married for 14 years and have ten children, of whom survive a maximum of two.

Training future knights

In a peasant family, once the child stood on his feet, he immediately went out to relatives in the field, and the artisans started to explore the parent science. Of course, the kids played, developed and spent time with friends, but life was short and harsh, so to work they started earlier.

According to the Church, adulthood occurred at the age of seven, when the child can distinguish good from evil and accept Catholic doctrines. Boyhood ended at the girls 12, and boys by 14 years. The birth rate was high, but most of the children died in infancy. A few have lived up to 16 years of age, and adults formed the opinion that the child needs to prove its viability.

To death in those days were calm. At least until the child became an employee. Even the word "child" was not in the language its ordinary meaning. For example, in Medieval Germany, it was synonymous with the concept of "fool" or "dupe." The realities of life, coupled with religious fanaticism and made possible the emergence of children crusaders.

In may 1212 a shepherd boy Stefan from Klua announced that it was Jesus. Stefan claimed that the Son of God asked me to give to the king of France Philip II, to help the children to organize a crusade to the Holy land. The boy was an excellent preacher, and was followed by a crowd of children and teenagers, ready to go to Jerusalem. He reached the Royal court of Philip II, who became interested in the idea to organize a campaign.

Stephen's Sermon

The king appealed to Rome, but the Pope was silent, then the monarch asked of the Council at the University of Paris. Pundits advised him not to get involved in the adventure. Philip had ordered the children to go home, but then the unthinkable happened. Shepherd Stephen refused to obey the ruler, and announced a set of new crusaders in vendôme. The monarch decided not to mess with the young preacher, who has gained immense popularity.

The king of France Philip II

Call Stephen said thousands of French children. They were dressed in grey shirts and short pants, on his head wore a beret, and on the chest sewed crosses of different colors. Stefan claimed that the weapons of the Saracens are incapable of hurting their flesh, and as soon as they come to Jerusalem, the sea will part before them.

Meanwhile in Germany there was the preacher — 12-year-old shepherd Nicholas. Despite the opposition of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, he collected 30 thousand children and adolescents, which through the Alps moved to avenge the victims of the crusaders in Germany. In the foothills from the armies there are about 15 thousand people, and on the other side of the Alps has moved 7 thousand young crusaders. The rest died on the way.

Local Italians Germans did not like, that were distributed to children. Suffering hunger and humiliation, Nicholas has brought his army to Rome, where Pope innocent told them to return home and become adults, after which he would be happy to bless their campaign. Reverse the crossing of the Alps experienced one.

The German experience of the French crusaders did not bother. Stephen received the support of the Franciscan order, and in July 1212 30 thousand peasant children under the age of 12 moved to liberate Jerusalem. "Army" accompanied the elders and priests. Children marched with banners and singing hymns, praising God and your future feat.

The crusaders easily reached Marseilles, where they waited in front of them parted the sea. Prayer, the case is not helped, but Stefan turned the Marseilles merchants — Hugo Ferrous and Guillaume Porcus. They said they are willing to help in the Holy cause of the liberation of the Holy Sepulchre and to provide seven ships. Children are happy because God sent them two righteous Christians. The army of teenagers boarded the ships and went to sea.

To Jerusalem they never came. Children's army disappeared, and news about him did not come. In 1230, 18 years after his departure from Marseille, in Europe, there was a monk who accompanied Stephen. He said that the ships with the young crusaders arrived not in Palestine, and to the shores of Algeria, where they were waiting for the local slavers.

Marseilles merchants signed a contract with Algerian colleagues and under the guise of aid delivered to the Muslims thousands of future slaves. Teen whips was expelled from the ship's hold and marched to the slave markets. Perhaps someone from the young crusaders got to Jerusalem, but not with sword in hand, and shackled.

In the Middle ages, not only children had to take up arms, this is often done by women. When the lords and knights went Hiking, to the protection of their possessions were done by his wife. Medieval ladies successfully defended the locks and not let the enemy beyond the walls.