Radulf the Cistercian facts for kids

Radulphe (also known as Radulph or Rodolphe) was a French monk. He left his monastery in France without permission. He traveled to the Rhine Valley during the Second Crusade (1147–1149). There, he preached that Jews should be harmed because he saw them as enemies of the Christian religion.

What Happened in the Rhine Valley?

Local church leaders tried to protect the Jewish people. Arnold, the Archbishop of Cologne, gave them a strong castle for safety. He also let them arm themselves to defend against attacks. The Crusaders did not attack the castle. However, they did harm any Jewish person they found who had not converted.

Henry I, the Archbishop of Mainz, let some Jewish people hide in his house. A large crowd forced its way in. They harmed the Jewish people right in front of him.

How Bernard of Clairvaux Helped

The Archbishops asked for help from Bernard of Clairvaux. He was a very important Christian leader at that time. Bernard strongly spoke out against Radulphe's actions. He demanded that the violence against Jewish people stop.

Radulphe continued his harmful preaching. So, Bernard traveled to Germany himself. He "strongly protested against Radulph's unchristian behavior." Bernard then made the monk return to his monastery in France.

Violence Spreads to Other Areas

Radulphe's idea of "starting the Crusades at home" spread from Germany to France. Jewish people were harmed in places like Carentan, Rameru, and Sully. In Bohemia, 150 Jewish people were killed by Crusaders.

After this terrible time passed, local Christian leaders tried to help the Jewish people who survived. Those who had been forced to accept baptism were allowed to return to Judaism. They did not face the usual harsh punishments for changing their religion back.