History The Crusades Questions Medium
The outcomes of the Second Crusade, which took place from 1147 to 1149, were mixed and ultimately resulted in a failure for the Christian forces.
One of the main outcomes was the loss of key territories and the failure to achieve the primary objective of recapturing the city of Edessa, which had been taken by the Muslim forces. Despite the participation of prominent European leaders such as King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of Germany, the Crusaders were unable to achieve significant military victories.
Additionally, the Second Crusade led to increased tensions between the Christian factions and the Byzantine Empire. The Crusaders' passage through Byzantine territories resulted in conflicts and strained relations, as the Byzantines felt that the Crusaders were not respecting their authority and were causing damage to their lands.
However, the Second Crusade did have some positive outcomes. It led to the establishment of the military orders, such as the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, which played significant roles in subsequent Crusades. These orders were created to provide protection and support for the Crusaders and pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
Furthermore, the Second Crusade also had an impact on the political landscape of Europe. It weakened the authority of the Holy Roman Empire and contributed to the rise of regional powers, such as the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England.
Overall, the outcomes of the Second Crusade were largely negative for the Christian forces, as they failed to achieve their main objectives and suffered significant losses. However, it did have some lasting effects on the military, political, and religious aspects of Europe.