The Crusades is a book by Zoe Oldenbourg, Pantheon Books, New York, 1966 and among the topics is who are the Crusaders and why did they go the trip from France to Jerusalem? If you look at a map of Europe that is a long trip – with most of the journey by horses or by foot. Although there is some romantic ideals of doing in the glory of God, a long trip generally takes money for supplies along the way and to go into hostile lands or occupied lands means the other side has to give it up. Generally the idea of physical fighting for the Church was not the prefer means of fighting for the Church. The preferred method is for your belief. However Ms. Oldenbourg writes in the feudal society the Lords and Knights were the army of their lands and when offered to go to Jerusalem they were also given the promise to forgive their sins of the people they had killed in protecting their lands. Also included in the crusades were believers, people that we put in jail for crimes; as well serfs who thought this would be better than what we have now. When the Knights committed themselves to go, this meant a fully equipped regiment was in service for the trip – the support staff, the engineers, the arms makers, etc.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, often times when decisions are made there is a personal reason for it that is wrapped around or spun around general themes which few would question. In the Crusades, the Pope was spinning the news of a Crusade which would help him solve other pressing concerns for the Papal States. Asking why would the person take the action at this time, leads to the real reason, not the general public information reason.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.