Crusades. The West still practices crusades - now for the “liberal order” - FAZ Joining the crusade and abandoning it

And I have sad memories associated with the crusade (the only one in the entire game). Papik gave me the task of capturing Antioch with a procession of the cross, gave me 4 detachments of good troops, and I even added to the full stack. My heroes boarded ships and sailed from England to explain to the chumps the virtues of the Faith of Christ and the depth of their errors. After the passage of Gibraltar, ferment and discord began in the army. And desertion. God, how they scuttled, these children of the dead monkey were conceived by mistake! Not a single ship entered any port, but the army melted like snow on a hot frying pan (how did they escape, by swimming or what? Stoned ichthyanders). In short, upon arrival in Cyprus, I had only 4 detachments left: 1 General, 2 heavy cavalry (out of the four that were assigned by the Pope) and 1 hired spearmen. I had to land on the island and urgently recruit all the trash that was found there. It turned out to be half a stack. We finally sailed to this fucking Palestine and then I started to feel sick: all the chicks had already been killed by the evil Mongols, they seized everything they could reach and were scurrying around the entire Middle East in gangs of 2-3 full stacks (apparently they were looking for adventure on someone’s butt) . But DADDY GAVE AN ORDER!!! Therefore, with the remaining gold, I hire generally good (as practice has shown) cavalrymen and some infantry and, singing, go to hammer Antioch.
YEAH, SHAZZZZ!!! The Mongols turned out to be not idiots at all, but very correct bandits, they did not want to lose such a tasty piece and with the strength of one and a half armies they intercepted me halfway. I will not describe that fight (modestly shuffling my foot), it is enough that the Mongols raked as they had probably never been raked before. It would seem that the path to the goal is clear, but from the east a gang of 3 stacks was advancing at full speed, and a 2-stack army was approaching from the south. I had to retreat north. There, after two battles, we managed to occupy a fortress (I don’t remember the name).
I thought - now I’ll replenish the army, create another one and finally recapture Antioch, but it didn’t work out that way, my pursuers caught up with me and besieged the castle. In general, I found myself in a trap: it was impossible to break through and it was impossible to sit until victory. Here my crusaders would have gotten screwed, but the Mongols, having regrouped in a few moves, went on the assault. It was something with something. No one has ever stormed me like this, neither before nor after: clouds of arrows literally eclipsed the Sun, the screeching of rockets made it impossible to hear my own voice, the blows of trebuchets and rams shook the earth.
The enemy managed to break through the walls and was stopped at the cost of huge losses and incredible courage. By attacking the flank and rear of the reserve, we managed to put the enemy to flight. Unfortunately, the Mongols had too many forces at that time and literally the next turn they laid siege to my Fortress again. It became clear that the Campaign had failed and even the Fortress could not be held. And then there was an assault and everything happened again, the losses were simply monstrous: out of the entire army, after two assaults, no more than 140 soldiers survived, including the general. Since there was nothing more to catch here, and the enemy was again bringing a fresh army to the Fortress, it was decided to leave for ships and burn the Fortress so that it would not fall to the Mongols, which was done.
This is how the first and last English Crusade ended ingloriously and at the same time heroically.
As for the General, he and the remnants of the army safely reached Europe, was showered with favors at the Court and participated in many victorious campaigns, but that is another story.

The crusades of Europe and the current interventionist policies of the West are very similar, writes Jürgen Trittin, a member of the German Green Party, on the pages of Frankfurter Allgemeine. After all, as then, today we are talking about power, not missionary work. The only difference is that instead of faith, the current West hides behind the defense of the “liberal order.”

The policy of Europe and the United States in the Middle East for more than half a century has been “under the sign of strict adherence to their interests,” the publication continues.

The West supported dictators and criminals, acting on the principle: “He is son of a bitch, but he is our son of a bitch."

For a long time, the so-called partners and “useful idiots” of Europe and America were the leader of the Libyan Jamahiriya Muammar Gaddafi and the President of Iraq Saddam Hussein.

They oppressed their people, “trampled underfoot human rights,” but the so-called “champions of the liberal order” patted them on the back benevolently, and then deprived them of their favor due to strategic interests. Europe has pursued an “opportunist policy of promoting its own interests” in Syria as well.

In this region, people perceive Europe and America not as a community of values, but as colonial powers committing chaos.

“We are outraged by Assad’s barrel bombs, the use of poison gas - but the Americans are supplying weapons worth hundreds of billions of dollars to the Saudi child killers in Yemen,” Trittin emphasizes.

Before it can claim to be defending the liberal order, the West itself must begin to take its own values ​​seriously. Until this happens, the analogy with the Crusades remains correct. Therefore, European interventions will continue to be doomed to failure, the politician is convinced.

In addition, Europe can no longer rely on the United States to resolve its security issues. Previously, America and the EU were bound by common ideals, interests and institutions. But the current head of the White House is destroying all this with the help of a “battery ball”. "He is the gravedigger of Western politics," writes Trittin.

After the end of the confrontation between the blocs, not a unipolar, but a “multipolar disorder” was established in the world, the author continues. And Europe, with the world's largest domestic market and a population of half a billion, cannot remain neutral.

Otherwise, in the new bipolar world, it will become the plaything of a rising China and a weakening United States. Europe must become one of the poles in this world system, not hypocritically advocating a liberal order, but pursuing a multilateral policy of interests.

To do this, it will be necessary to enter into alliances with various partners, basing this cooperation on international law and using its economic power and soft power.

And to a lesser extent, this policy should be interventionist, advises Trittin: “The security of Europe is primarily threatened by the collapse of states and new types of wars on the southern borders, and not by Russia.”

New weapons, intimidation, and increased military spending will not help against such crises. Development, investment and cooperation will help resolve them.

Europe must pursue a wise policy towards neighboring countries. After all crusades always lead to failure, the politician concludes.

Release date: May 24, 2016
We waited, we believed. And our faith was rewarded! Announcement Total War: WARHAMMER took place! The skeptics were put to shame, and the Vachomans rejoiced! The developers have already managed to tell a lot of details. Was it first known? that this will not be one game, but a trilogy flavored with a whole bunch of add-ons and additional paid and free content. Secondly, there will be only 5+1 factions (Empire of Sigmar, Greenskins, Dwarves, Vampire Counts and Chaos Warriors + Bretonnia in custom and multiplayer battles) but they promise to make them as developed as possible, rich in units and really different from each other in gameplay. Thirdly, the heads of factions are now not just generals whom you don’t mind losing in battle. Now these are the Legendary Lords (Karl Franz, Grimgor, Thorgrim and Mannfred von Carstein and others), heroes with unique weapons, mounts, clothes and a set of quests. They also promise such new items as flying units, magic, tanks, cannons and muskets... in general, yummy! In general, we are waiting for more information and hope that the game will become a breakthrough in the series.

More details about Total War: WARHAMMER

and again antiquity + naval battles

The announcement of Rome II Total War took place on July 2 and it caused a real storm of delight in our community! People were so hungry for hand-to-hand combat and legionnaires that the announcement of the sequel was perceived as a real miracle and a “dream come true.” To again lead legions bound by iron discipline, unshakable Greek hoplites and Macedonian sarissophorians into battle, trample enemies with elephants and throw severed heads at them - isn’t this happiness! But the new Total War games are also sea battles. And there will be a lot of fun here, because the developers promise active interaction between land and naval forces. Mutual shelling between coastal fortifications and warships in the roadstead will give a new degree of freedom to the “strategos” of the ancient world.

More details about Total War: Rome II

Release date: 2009
The fifth game in the series was released three years after the previous one. The historical framework, compared to its predecessors, is greatly narrowed - only from 1700 to 1799. But over these hundred years, the player will have to go through a difficult path of victories and defeats, taking part in the next redistribution of the world - the era of colonial wars. Now the game involves three full continents - Europe, Asia and America, which are tearing each other apart, striving for world domination. The game is as close as possible to the realities of the eighteenth century - line of units different nations there are no striking differences here, so tactical art comes to the fore. And here the developers did the impossible, because the artificial intelligence of huge armies - from soldiers to generals - is very high. And now it is difficult to snatch victory from the hands of a computer enemy, fighting only with numbers. The main difference between the “empire” and its predecessors is naval tactical battles.

More details about

Release date: 2004
In 2004, Total War entered the third dimension. Now the strategic map is not a field for chips, but a full-fledged land from a bird's eye view: with rivers, seas, forests, changing seasons and troops walking along the roads. Continuing to roll back along the timeline, the developers dedicated their new project to the brilliant Roman Republic - from 270 BC. e. (transformation of Rome into a world power) until 14 AD. e. (death of Octavian Augustus). Leading one of 21 factions, the player will have to conquer 50 provinces and conquer Rome. Here the economy is in the background - war, war and war! Don't want to go through long, multi-year campaigns? You can play out individual battles - both historical and random. Historicity is guaranteed - after all, this is the engine they use in their documentaries History Channel and BBC!

| | | | | | | | | | | Crusades | | | | | | | | | | | |

Crusades

Crusade- a holy war carried out with the approval of the Papal States. Most often, the participants in the campaign seek to capture a certain settlement for the benefit of the entire Christian world. Either this settlement is a breeding ground for heresy, or Catholics are oppressed there. Sometimes the Pope personally declares a crusade, but most often he supports the initiative of the ruler of some power.
The Crusade inspires warriors to perform miracles of courage and heroism. After his announcement, the commanders of the Catholic powers lead their troops to the indicated settlement. The one who takes possession of it first will earn great glory throughout the Christian world!

Crusade proposal

The Crusade is an event of the greatest importance, and the Pope is not easily persuaded to announce its commencement. Here's what's important for a future crusader to know:

• You can propose a crusade to the Pope through Scroll "Pope". Before he answers you, you must select a settlement that will become the target of the holy war.
• The better your relationship with the Papal States, the more willing the Pope will be to bless the Catholics for the crusade.
• The more heretics there are in the selected settlement, the more willingly the pontiff will bless the Catholics for the crusade.
• The more Catholics there are among the inhabitants of the specified settlement of a non-Catholic power, the more willingly the pontiff will bless the troops for the crusade.

Joining and abandoning the crusade

Leading an army on a crusade has its pros and cons. Here's what you need to know about it:

• You can join the hike for a limited time.
• All Catholic generals can join a crusade, unless their country is excommunicated.
• In order for a commander to go on a crusade, his army must have at least 8 combat units. Take the commander out of the settlement, double click on him to open scroll “About the Army” and then click on "Crusade" button at the bottom of the scroll.
• If an army is participating in a crusade, this icon appears on its banner.
• A commander may abandon a crusade, although this will lead to mass desertion of his warriors.

Army on Crusade

When a general leads troops on a crusade, his army undergoes the following changes:

• An army on a crusade doubles its movement speed.
• An army on a crusade does not pay for the maintenance of troops.
• Troops available only during a crusade can join the ranks of the army. By summoning mercenaries, the commander can hire unique units for a nominal fee.
• If the crusader army does not move towards the goal of the campaign, the soldiers begin to desert.
• If you divide the army of the crusaders, then the combat units that left it will disappear in one turn - who would like to be expelled from the army of Christ? The only exception to this rule is the formation of a garrison in captured settlements.

End of the Crusade

A crusade can end in different ways:

• The crusade ends successfully when one of the armies captures the settlement chosen as the target of the campaign.
• A crusade ends unsuccessfully if not a single commander joins it within a specified period.
• If the target settlement was excommunicated from the Church and then returned to the fold, the crusade ends in reconciliation.
• If the settlement chosen as the target of the campaign is captured by Christians who are not crusaders, the campaign ends in nothing.
• The powers that took part in the crusade receive rewards depending on their contribution to a good cause. Even those who have not achieved their goal can receive a reward.

Jihad

Jihad- holy war against the enemies of Islam. Jihad proceeds in the same way as a crusade, although the declaration of holy war occurs differently than among Christians. Muslims do not have a single spiritual shepherd, so the rulers of Islamic powers can declare holy war on one's own.

Siege of Damascus during the Second Crusade in 1148. Miniature from the Chronicle of Ernoul. 15th century The British Library

From the end of the 11th century to Western Europe The Crusades begin. Thousands of people are going to Jerusalem to fight against the infidels and liberate Christian shrines. How to participate in this? How to do everything right? Where to start?

1. Wait for the papal bull

A crusade is not a spontaneous event. The decision on it is made at a church council, and the initiative to convene the campaign belongs to the Pope, who is the spiritual leader of the expedition (although secular sovereigns play important role in its military organization).

Preaches the Crusade (or assigns his prelates to preach it  Prelate- a general name for the highest positions (cardinals, archbishops, bishops, abbots, etc.) in the structure of the Roman Catholic Church.) it is the pope, who also determines the date of the general “crossing over the sea.” So you need to wait for the moment when the pope announces the campaign in his bull.

2. Take a vow

Those who decide to join the army going to the Holy Land must take the “overseas vow”, which provides the “soldiers of Christ” with a number of advantages called the privilege of the Cross. Due to his status, the crusader and his family, as well as their property, are under the protection of the ecclesiastical court. The participant in the hike is forgiven all sins, in addition, he receives a deferment in the payment of debts and interest and other benefits.

After the vow has been taken, the crusader sews the sign of the cross on his clothes - made of silk, gold thread or some other material. This badge must be worn before going on the Crusade.

3. Obtain permission and enlist heavenly support

Before going to the Holy Land, you need to make peace with everyone and atone for your sins. The decision to go on a Crusade must be approved: a vassal should ask permission from his overlord, a peasant or townsman - from his lord, a cleric - from a higher church hierarch; The consent of the family from which the crusader is separated for at least three years is also necessary.

On the way, a participant in the Crusade faces difficulties and dangers: there is a chance that he will die in battle, from an accident, die from illness or simply from exhaustion. Overcoming these difficult trials, the crusader can only rely on God and the saints. Therefore, it is better to secure liturgical support from the very beginning: ask monks and clergy to serve prayer services and pray for the participant in the campaign, and in case of death, bury him in the church cemetery and serve a requiem mass. Participation in a crusade expedition is a very risky step, and spiritual preparation for it is extremely necessary.

4. Find money

A crusade is not only a risky undertaking, but also an expensive one. Permission to go on a Crusade is given primarily to those who are able to bear arms, so the future crusader should stock up on the necessary weapons - and this will cost a fair amount.

How to finance a trip? One option is to sell your real estate or movable property: lands or castles, fields or vineyards, etc. You can pledge the property, preferably to church institutions. To finance the crusaders, abbots and bishops even sold church treasures and relics.

Moneylenders can also help you get ready for a hike by lending money. There is also the opportunity to take advantage of levies in favor of the Holy Land (for example, “Saladin’s tithe”  "Saladin's Tithe"- a collection in favor of the crusaders, organized by the kings of France and England in the 12th century. Everyone - both clergy and laity - had to pay a tithe, that is, a tenth of their movable property and all their annual income, under pain of excommunication, to fight against Saladin, the ruler of Egypt and Syria, who managed to recapture Jerusalem from the Christians.), which sovereigns and prelates collect from Christians not participating in the crusading expedition.

5. Decide on a route

Once funding for a crusading expedition has been completed, it is necessary to think about logistics. If you are going to go to the Holy Land by land, there are two options: either the so-called military road - along the Danube, bypassing Hungary and further through the Balkans to Constantinople, or the Egnatian road - from the Adriatic city of Dyrrhachium  Dyrrachium- the current city of Durres in Albania. through Thessalonica and Ohrid again to Byzantine capital. There, with the help of the Byzantine fleet, the crusaders can cross the Bosporus - and then continue their journey through Asia Minor, Syria and Palestine, where new difficulties await them.

In any case, there is a huge journey to be made - more than a thousand kilometers across the Balkans and the same amount across Asia. For the long journey, the participants stock up on food - oats, barley, flour, as well as corned beef and wine. To have a place to spend the night and shelter from the rain, you should take a tent with you. Of course, draft and pack animals are needed - horses, mules and bulls. It is also recommended to equip two-wheeled or four-wheeled carts (bigas or quadrigas). Before the campaign, the knight puts on chain mail, armor, a helmet and takes with him a shield, sword and spear. The infantryman's armament consists of a spear and a round shield, and he carries all the luggage on himself. Finally, the poorest and most humble participants in the trek set off light, taking with them only the pilgrim’s hat and staff. The crusaders are accompanied by priests who go to the Holy Land not to fight, but to pray and preach - the sword replaces the psalter for them.

You can also choose the route by sea. Then the route begins in one of the Italian or southern French ports designated in advance - in Messina, Bari, Marseille, Genoa, etc. Here, future warriors of the Holy Land join the fleet of sovereigns setting off on the Crusade. Their crossing across the sea can be financed by the pope himself; sometimes the transportation of the crusaders is carried out by the Templars and Hospitallers. You can enter into a contract with ship owners directly and rent a place on the ship for a decent amount, not only for yourself, but also for your horse. On the journey by sea, pilgrims should also stock up on provisions, which, as a rule, consist of dry fruits, spices, salted fish and muscat wine.

When the preparations are completed, everyone must assemble at the appointed time in a certain place and wait for the signal to depart and the arrival of the papal legate  Papal legate- personal representative of the Pope., who accompanies the crusaders on their journey.

If you did not have time to join the army of the crusaders, do not be upset: there is still one more opportunity. Along with the general transition, twice a year there are regular “crossings across the sea”, to the Holy Land, of pilgrims who, alone or in groups, fulfill the crusader vow. The spring transition, at Easter, and the summer transition are known.

6. Be ready to go all the way

The possible options for participating in a crusading expedition are varied, just as the reality of the Crusade itself is diverse. But there is no turning back: those who have taken the “overseas vow” must be loyal to the army of the crusaders. Failure to fulfill a vow is a mortal sin, which entails a severe punishment: excommunication.

Sources

• Dobiash-Rozhdestvenskaya O. A. Western European pilgrimages in the Middle Ages.
• Luchitskaya S. I. Crusades.

  Dictionary of medieval culture. M., 2007.

• Luchitskaya S. I. Travel to the Holy Land in the 12th–13th centuries: an outline of history everyday life.

  Homo Viator. Travel like historical and cultural phenomenon. M., 2010.

• Brundage J. Medieval Canon Law and the Crusader.

  Madison, London, 1969.

• Morrison C. Les croisades.
• Richard J. Le transport Outre-mer des croisés et des pèlerins (XII–XV siècles).

  Maritime Aspects of Migration. Cologne, Wien, 1989.