This is part of the
Medieval European History Metanode.
The Second Crusade began in 1147 after the County of Edessa fell to
Moslems in 1144. Pope Eugenius III issued the
papal bull Quantum praedecessores in 1145, calling Louis VII of
France to a Crusade. St. Bernard convinced Louis and many other
knights to go, and even
Eleanor of Aquitaine herself accompanied the
entourage. Many soldiers were diverted in
Portugal, where the King called for their help to lift a
seige by Moslems. King Conrad of
Germany continued on, however, arriving in Turkish territory in October 1147. However, his army was
slaughtered by Turkish soldiers on 25 October. Now it was essentially a French crusade. Louis' army suffered many losses and debacles long before it arrived at its ultimate destination. In the end, there was a disappointing 4-day battle at
Damascus, and Louis' army went home in
defeat. The Second Crusade was over.