Audita tremendi facts for kids
Audita tremendi was an important papal bull issued by Pope Gregory VIII on October 29, 1187. A papal bull is a special official letter or announcement from the Pope. This bull was a call for the Third Crusade, a major military journey by Christians to the Middle East.
Pope Gregory VIII issued this bull just days after he became Pope. He had taken over from Urban III. The reason for this urgent message was the terrible defeat of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin on July 4, 1187. Even though Jerusalem itself had fallen to Saladin on October 2, 1187 (see Siege of Jerusalem), the news had not yet reached Europe when the bull was sent out.
Like other papal bulls, Audita tremendi gets its name from the first few words of its text. These words don't always make perfect sense on their own. The first line of this bull in Latin means: "On hearing with what severe and terrible judgment the land of Jerusalem has been smitten by the divine hand..."
Contents
Why Was This Bull Issued?
The Audita tremendi bull was written in a similar way to Quantum praedecessores, which was the bull that called for the Second Crusade in 1145. It focused a lot on the big defeat at Hattin on July 4, 1187. It also talked about how Saladin then took over much of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The bull explained that these losses happened because of the sins of the people in the Latin Christian lands. Because of this, the bull said that Christians needed to show they were sorry for their sins.
What Did the Bull Say?
The Audita tremendi bull offered a special promise called a plenary indulgence. This meant that if someone went on the crusade with a truly sorry heart, their sins would be completely forgiven. The bull also promised that the Church would protect the property of those who joined the journey.
The main idea was that the sins of the Christian people in the West had allowed Saladin to win the Battle of Hattin. So, to make things right and take back the kingdom, Christians needed to go on a crusade. The bull was not super clear about the exact goals of the crusade, which has led to some discussions among historians.
Key Points from the Bull's Message
Pope Gregory VIII shared his deep sadness and shock about the events in Jerusalem. He mentioned how the Christian army, including the King, bishops, Templars, and Hospitallers, was defeated. He also spoke about the capture of the Lord's Cross, which was a very important religious item. Many leaders were killed or captured.
The Pope believed that these terrible events were not because God was unfair. Instead, he thought they happened because of the sins of the Christian people. He urged everyone to think about their own sins and to change their ways. He said that by showing true sorrow and doing good deeds, they could turn back to God.
The bull encouraged people to give their wealth and even their lives for the cause. It reminded them that earthly things don't last forever. It compared their situation to the Maccabees, who bravely fought for their people's freedom. The Pope promised that those who joined the crusade would receive full forgiveness for their sins and eternal life, whether they survived or died. Their families and property would also be protected by the Church while they were away.
The bull also gave some rules for those going on the crusade. They should not travel in fancy clothes or with luxuries like dogs or birds. Instead, they should dress simply and act humbly, focusing on their spiritual journey rather than showing off.
Sources
- Audita tremendi, Latin text from the Patrologia Latina
- Louise and Jonathan Riley-Smith, The Crusades: Idea and Reality, 1095-1274. Edward Arnold Publishers, 1981 (contains an English translation)
See Also
