1144–1149

The Second Crusade

The Muslims captured Edessa in 1144. Bernard of Clairvaux then, at Pope Eugenius III's request, preached across Europe for two years calling for a new crusade.

Conrad III of Germany and Louis VII of France led some two hundred thousand people. They lost most of the army in Asia Minor. In 1148 they were defeated in a failed siege of Damascus. The expedition ended in complete failure, a severe blow to Bernard.