← Explore on the interactive map
French King Louis VII vows to join the Second Crusade
In 1146, French King Louis VII formally took the cross at the Vézelay crusade preaching assembly and in the following months to join the Second Crusa…
Timeline
- 1146Vézelay · BurgundyAt the Vézelay preaching assembly presided over by Bernard, Louis VII publicly answered the crusade call, took the cross, and declared he would personally lead an expedition to the Holy Land as king, prompting the Burgundian and French nobles present to follow suit and take vows.
- 1146France · FranceAfter taking the vow, Louis VII recruited knights, raised funds, and coordinated vassals' departure schedules within France, preparing to lead his army east in spring 1147, while conducting diplomatic communications with the papacy and the German side about joint operations.
Sources
- Louis VII and the Second Crusade — Jean Richard (1992)
- The Capetians: Kings of France, 987–1328 — Jim Bradbury (2007)