Cultural Shift and the Church's Empowerment

The late 11th century marked a significant cultural shift in England and Europe, driven by radical changes within the church. By 1093, as the First Crusade approached, the church was increasingly seen as a political force that could dictate societal norms, with leaders like Pope Gregory VII advocating for a restructured hierarchy where governance was under religious control. This shift diminished the universal condemnation of killing and morphed into ideologies suggesting that warfare in God’s service could be righteous and, in some instances, even redemptive for one's sins. This radicalization laid the groundwork for the church's heightened involvement in worldly affairs, significantly influencing the ongoing geopolitical landscape and subsequently, the rise of the Crusades as a collective military effort under religious auspices.