Medieval Europe: Knights, Kings, and Brutal Survival — Fexingo History

The 1321 Shepherds' Crusade: When Peasants Took Up Arms

10 min · 13. juni 2026
Billede af episoden The 1321 Shepherds' Crusade: When Peasants Took Up Arms

Description

In 1321, thousands of French peasants and shepherds marched under the banner of a mysterious young man who claimed to be the rightful King of Jerusalem. Neither a traditional crusade nor a simple peasant revolt, the Shepherds' Crusade of 1321 blended apocalyptic fervor, anti-Semitic violence, class resentment, and genuine crusading piety. King Philip V of France initially tolerated them, then ordered their suppression after they attacked Jews and royal officials. Lucas and Luna explore the strange story of the Pastoureaux—their leader, their journey through northern France, their attacks on castle and clergy, and their brutal end. They also examine the deeper tensions in early 14th-century France: failed crusades, royal taxation, and a populace hungry for divine justice. Along the way, they consider how this episode challenges simple narratives of medieval crusading as either pure faith or pure greed. No previous knowledge is assumed beyond the general setting of medieval Europe. #Pastoureaux #ShepherdsCrusade #1321 #MedievalFrance #Crusades #PhilipV #Apocalypticism #AntiSemitism #PeasantRevolt #Avignon #PopeJohnXXII #Toulouse #Paris #MedievalHistory #History #FexingoHistory #EuropeanHistory #ReligiousFervor Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

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