Popular crusades

The distinction between the "hierarchical" (or official) and the popular impulse in crusading was first made by historian Leopold von Ranke in the nineteenth century.

All crusades that were not preached officially were illicit and unaccompanied by papal representation.

The objectives were traditional, such as regaining Jerusalem or liberating the captive King Louis IX of France.

Victories in the Smyrniote crusade of 1344 aroused mass enthusiasm in Tuscany and Lombardy.

[3] The movements typically regarded as popular crusades are listed below in chronological order:

Miniature of Peter the Hermit leading the People's Crusade . From the Abreujamen de las estorias (14th century).