15050. POPE URBAN II AND THE FIRST CRUSADE (1095 CE). Discusses the role of the pope in starting the crusade to help protect the Byzantine Church from Muslim invaders. Also looks at the arguments regarding the extent to which the pope's actions were meant to increase the power and status of the Church of Rome in relation to the Byzantine Church and the Holy Roman Empire. 10 pages, 31 footnotes, 9 bibliographic references.