Статьи

The article examines the crusades and integration processes in Europe in the period of XI–XIII centuries on the basis of Russian and foreign historiography.

In conclusion, the author notes that the crusades, which initially were the “military-integrative expansion” of the Europeans, increasingly turned into a purely aggressive campaign, gradually losing the spiritual basis under the leadership of the papacy, which began the period of decline. Contemporaries of the crusades were skeptical about these military-religious expeditions. The Reformation of the XVI century put an end to the Christian republic of scientists, which Erasmus of Rotterdam dreamt of. There came a time when, along with the religious integration, purely political unions were also being formed, joined by the opponents who were difficult to be imagined together (for example Francis I and the head of the “true believers”, the Turkish sultan).