Crusades (M2TW)

Crusades are "Holy Wars" fought by Catholics against Muslims to take control of the holy land (Jerusalem, Acre, etc.). you can only participate in them if you are of the Catholic religion, not Orthodox. Only the Pope and Catholic factions can call crusades. You cannot participate in a crusade if you are excommunicated. Note however, if you are on a crusade and you get excommunicated your army might desert.

Crusade Units

Entering a crusade gives the player access to special crusader units and sometimes a "fair in rule" trait. All crusader units have free upkeep until the crusade ends. These units remain after the crusade is finished, but they will then require upkeep. Joining a crusade may allow access to (depending on regional availability):

• Great Cross: A crusading standard somewhat like the Carroccio standard.
• Crusader Knights: Similar to French Noble Knights
• Crusader Sergeants: Crusading Armoured Sergeants
• Unhorsed Knights: Powerful Dismounted Knights
• Note: Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller become available through their respective guilds, which become available after crusade activities.

Crusade Info

Once in a while the Pope calls in a crusade(first crusade always happens). Then a box will pop up saying join the crusade in ten turns or else. If nobody joins then the crusade ends.

Crusades are called on rebel cities, cities of Islam, and excommunicated cities. You can call a crusade if your favour points are high enough. The pope will probably call a crusade on the first city it sees.

The Muslim version of this is a Jihad.