Pope Eugene III

Pope from 1145 to 1153, Eugene III called the Second Crusade and relied on the guidance of Bernard of Clairvaux, his former teacher.

Bernard of Clairvaux: A Cistercian abbot and theologian who became one of the most influential churchmen in twelfth-century Europe. Eugene’s former teacher and adviser, Bernard defended his authority and promoted the crusade.
Quantum praedecessores: A papal bull issued by Eugene III in 1145 calling for a new crusade to aid the Latin states in the East. This was Eugene’s formal appeal that launched the Second Crusade.
Cistercian Order: A monastic order founded in 1098 that emphasized a strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict. Eugene was a Cistercian monk before his election as pope.
Siege of Damascus: The unsuccessful siege of Damascus by Second Crusade forces in July 1148. The expedition Eugene called ended in a costly failure at Damascus.
Arnold of Brescia: A reform preacher who challenged the wealth and temporal power of the clergy and helped lead the Roman Commune. His Roman movement forced Eugene to leave the city and seek support from outside Rome.
Second Crusade: A major European expedition to the eastern Mediterranean from 1147 to 1150, prompted by the fall of Edessa. Eugene’s preaching and bull initiated the campaign, though its armies failed to recover Edessa.
Clairvaux Abbey: A Cistercian monastery in Burgundy founded by Bernard of Clairvaux in 1115. Eugene entered monastic life at Clairvaux under Bernard’s influence.
Treaty of Constance (1153): An agreement between Eugene III and Frederick Barbarossa concerning imperial recognition and papal rights in Germany. Negotiated near the end of Eugene’s life, it sought cooperation with the future emperor.
Conrad III: King of Germany from 1138 to 1152 and the first Hohenstaufen ruler of the German kingdom. Eugene’s crusade appeal helped secure Conrad’s participation in the Second Crusade.
Fall of Edessa: The capture of the Crusader County of Edessa by Zengi in 1144, which shocked Latin Christendom. The loss prompted Eugene to issue the call for a new crusade.

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Pope Adrian IVRelated: He sent Breakspear as papal legate to Scandinavia, advancing his ecclesiastical career.