First Crusade Vocabulary

*Seljuks (or Seljuk Turks) - One of the Turkic peoples that invaded the Middle
East and modern day Turkey during the 11th century. Eventually the Seljuks
converted to Islam and became a great power in the region. Their invasions caused
great unrest, and almost brought about the collapse of the Byzantine Empire.

*Byzantine Empire - The Greek and Christian empire that existed in parts of
Eastern Europe and modern day Turkey before the invasions of the Seljuks. The
loss of modern day Turkey (called Anatolia by the Byzantines) almost brought
about the collapse of their empire, but they recovered after the First Crusade.

*Penance - A sacrifice undertaken by a Christian as recompense to God for the

offenses (sins) that person has made by transgressing the moral laws, according to
Christian belief, that God has put into place.

*Pilgrimage - In Christianity, travelling to a sacred place in order to experience

communion or ‘closeness’ with the divine and possibly to receive a special favour
from God. The ultimate site of pilgrimage for medieval Christians was Jerusalem.