The Tenth Crusade

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The Crusades originally had the purpose of capturing the Holy Lands in the name of Christianity, by the time of the Tenth Crusade, the goal had changed drastically. No longer did the Church worry about taking the Holy Lands, now Christianity was fighting for its own survival.

The Crusading spirit had thought to have long been extinguished but when the Ottomans captured Vienna in 1529, the flame was rekindled. Pope Clement VII finally came to the conclusion to request a 10th Crusade after hearing of the horrific stories coming out of Vienna as the Ottomans slaughtered the population, and carried the more attractive females off to be sold as sex slaves.

The loss of Vienna was of a great concern to the common Christian in Europe as the Ottoman's seemed unstoppable, unfortunatley the monarchs refused to see this. For too long they warred against one another, and were too proud to fight beside their enemies.

That began to change when the Ottomans led by Suleiman II began the march towards Rome leaving a wake of destruction in his path. Clement VII fled the Vatican to Avingnon. The Ottoman's were defeated at the Seige of Rome when the Armies of the Holy Roman Empire and France combined to keep the Ottomans from entering the city. Victory at Rome was achieved finally when the Spanish arrived, its fresh troops proved to much for the Ottomans who retreated. Clement VII praised the victory, but said the war was not over, vowing the Christians should fight until the Ottomans are driven out of Europe from Vienna to Constantinople.

Though they had agreed to fight the Ottomans together it was painfully obvious that the divisions between the nations of Europe kept them mistrustful of one another, each viewed the other with suspicion of post war plans. Although the Pope didnt say anything about Anatolia, each nation began to make designs on the peninsula, that did not include the others.

"Onward to Vienna" became a popular war cry begining the Tenth Crusade.
 
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