What methods did Pope Urban utilise to persuade, Christians to join the Crusade?

PUII’s speech to the crusaders mention and preserve the idea of ‘Sin Removal’, additionally PUII often referred to the Crusaders as ‘Gods Armies’, ‘Warriors of Christ’, and ‘Shield of Christ’. This dialogue was aimed at Knights, Lords, Princes and their martial powers of European Christendom. PUII sought after a mechanised army with financial resources, which could be ordered as opposed to Kings who would covet to command.          This deliverance by the Pope would have ignited the ideologically conditioned Christians throughout the content. At first glance this source appears to be based on religion; however it is possible that PUII wanted to keep control for himself as the head of the Roman Catholic Church over the whole expedition and on the long run – to expand Papal power throughout the continent and into the east. In a far more lateral but equally adequate manner, if we look at PUII’s background and origins we can assume that he was a victim of 11th centaury idealism; he himself was a seeker of power. PUII was born into aristocracy (1035) in the “Noble de Lagery family in the northern French town of Chatillon-sur-Marne.” [3]However, PUII attended a Cathedral school in the Rheim, ergo it is “an indication that Urban had probably been a younger son and was therefore not bound to a knightly future”[4]. Thus, he aspired to encompass control on behalf of the Papacy, as well as extending Papal power in Europe, which had been desired by Gregory VII. Though it was religious act at the basis, Urban’s background and religious status under Gregory VII could have ideologically habituated him to seek further power, to mark his own name in history and increase Papal power.         PUII`s preaching against the Crusade as a material movement, clearly indicates there was a fear of a feeling of materialism, therefore religion in itself was not enough to keep people on the Crusade. The standard of living in the later 12th century shows an increased enthusiasm about the Crusade. Correspondingly, various aristocrats’ loyalty to the Crusade can be questioned. Initially religiously motivated but the issue of economic and social status gain cannot be dismissed. Raymond of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon and Hugh of Vermandois – were all second born aristocrats, which question’s their commitments.  Stephen of Blois, Baldwin of Boulogne, Robert of Normandy, Bohemond of Taranto were powerful characters in Europe, ones whom would seize every opportunity provided to expand their riches and domains – i.e. the looting of Jews in the Rhine.Bibliography   Books: Asbridge, Thomas ‘The First Crusade – a new history’. London; The Free Press 2005.Peters, Edward ed., ‘The First Crusade’. United States of America, University of Pennsylvania Press 1998. [1] Edward Peters, ed., The First Crusade (United States of America, University of Pennsylvania Press 1998) P.37 [2] Ibid., P.37 [3] Thomas Asbridge, The First Crusade – a new history (London, The Free Press 2005) P.3 [4] Ibid., P.7