Episode #257 – Was There a Children’s Crusade?

In the year 1212 something strange happened in Western Europe, but none of the contemporary historic sources can agree on exactly what it was. Later historians would claim that a religious movement made up of children under twelve sprang up in rural France. After gathering together thousands of pre-teen followers this crusade set out to liberate the holy land. However, we’re told that this so-called Children’s Crusade ended in disaster. According to some sources, the children were attacked, starved, murdered, or sold en-masse into slavery. But is any of that true? Was there really a Children’s Crusade? If there was, should we believe the horror stories about this unusual movement? Continue reading “Episode #257 – Was There a Children’s Crusade?” →

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