What role did Jerusalem's significance play in the Crusades' origins?

Jerusalem's significance as a holy city for Christianity was a primary catalyst for the Crusades' origins.

Jerusalem holds immense religious significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. For Christians, it is the city where Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, making it a major pilgrimage site. By the end of the 11th century, the control of Jerusalem had shifted to the Seljuk Turks, who were less tolerant towards Christian pilgrims than their predecessors. This led to reports of harassment and persecution of Christian pilgrims, which outraged the Christian world.

Pope Urban II, in 1095, called for a holy war or 'Crusade' to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims. His call was not only religious but also political. The Pope sought to unite the quarrelling Christian factions of Europe against a common enemy, thereby strengthening the Papacy's control. Moreover, the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos had requested military aid against the Seljuk Turks, promising to return any recovered land to the Roman Empire. This promise of land and wealth further motivated the European nobility to join the Crusades.

The First Crusade (1096-1099) was successful in capturing Jerusalem and establishing Christian control. This victory was seen as a divine sign, further enhancing Jerusalem's significance and solidifying its role as the primary objective of subsequent Crusades. However, the city changed hands several times over the next two centuries, leading to a series of Crusades aimed at its recapture.

In summary, Jerusalem's religious significance as a Christian holy city, coupled with political motivations and promises of wealth, played a crucial role in the origins of the Crusades. Its capture and recapture became the primary objective of these holy wars, underscoring its central role in the Crusades' narrative.