History glossary
Second Crusade
the 1147-1149 crusade launched after Edessa fell, remembered for its failed attack on Damascus.
- Category
- Crusade
- Region
- Western Europe and the Levant
- Date range
- 1147-1149
What it means
The Second Crusade was launched after Zengi captured Edessa in 1144, exposing the weakness of the Crusader States. Preached by Bernard of Clairvaux and led by Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany, it failed after the decision to attack Damascus in 1148. The failure damaged confidence in crusading and showed that the Latin states could not rely on enthusiasm alone.
