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Virgin Mary Also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary
References to the Virgin Mary are found throughout the ecclesiastical writings and literature of the middle ages. There is no doubt that her popularity among medieval Christians was greater than any other saint, perhaps greater than all of them put together. As a result, it is unsurprising that the effects of medieval Christian devotion to the Virgin Mary is found in the ecclesiastical and popular records of the crusading movement. Perhaps the most notable example, certainly the earliest, of the Virgin Mary's interaction with the crusaders is recorded as taking place during the First Crusade at the siege of Antioch. When the crusaders found themselves having problems during the siege, they gathered together to discuss the cause of the problems. According to the anonymous author of the Gesta Francorum, a priest told the crusaders of a vision in which Jesus, Mary, and St. Peter appeared to the priest. Jesus told the priest that he was not allowing the successful conquest of the city due to the sins and immorality of the crusaders. At this point, the priest describes the intercession of the Virgin Mary, who along with St. Peter fell at the feet of Jesus. They then implored Jesus to allow the crusaders to successfully conquer the Antioch. At this, Jesus relented and imposed a five days of prayer on the crusaders as a penance for their sins and, if this was done, would provide his divine aid. Shortly later, the obedient crusaders were finally victorious. Additionally, there is the so-called Black Madonna, known as the Blessed Virgin Mary of the crusades and pilgrimages. Many of the religious orders of the crusading movement were devoted to the Blessed Virgin. As early as 1127 in Palestine a group of Germans founded the Order of the Hospital of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1198 they were made into a chivalric Order and became known as the Teutonic Knights, changing the focus of their order from charity to arms. In 1222 Pope Honorius III officially recognized the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. The fall of Acre in 1291 led to the end of the Order's presence at Mount Carmel. Even the Rosary, a popular set of prayers said in devotion to the Virgin Mary, was confirmed by Pope Leo XIII as originating with the crusades preacher St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order. Although this is a popular and widely believed story, even today, it may not be true as the origins of the Rosary may date back to the ninth-century. First Crusade-Crusades-Encyclopedia Primary Sources of the First Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia Saints and the Crusades-Crusades-Encyclopedia Siege of Antioch- Crusades-Encyclopedia St. Dominic- Crusades-Encyclopedia (c) Andrew Holt, June 2005- Permission is granted for electronic copying and distribution in print for educational and personal use. No permission is granted for commercial use.