THE ORDER OF THE WESTERN GUILD

The Order of the Western Guild is a Protestant fellowship dedicated to honoring Christ the King. Inspired by chivalric ideals, we pursue spiritual renewal through worship, mission, and the study of sacred texts. Our Commanderies serve as sanctuaries for those called to defend Western Christian values

The Crusades

First Crusade (1096–1099):

Initiated by Pope Urban II in 1095, the First Crusade aimed to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. The crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing several Crusader states.

Second Crusade (1147–1149):

Launched in response to the fall of the County of Edessa, the Second Crusade ended in failure, with the unsuccessful Siege of Damascus marking its conclusion

Third Crusade (1189–1192):

In 1187, the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin sent shockwaves across Europe. In response, the mightiest rulers of the West—Richard the Lionheart of England, Philip II of France, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa—took up the cross in unity. Their mission: to restore Christ's city to the faithful.

FOURTH Crusade (1202–1204):

The Fourth Crusade, called by Pope Innocent III in 1198, was meant to restore Christian control over Jerusalem, which had been lost after the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1187. However, the campaign became mired in politics, debt, and deceit—ultimately redirecting its swords away from Muslim foes and toward fellow Christians.

BALTIC Crusade (1198–1290):

While Jerusalem burned and rose again in the East, a different crusade raged in the cold forests of the North. The Baltic Crusades, beginning in the late 12th century, were military and spiritual campaigns to bring the Word of Christ to the pagan tribes of Prussia, Livonia, and Lithuania.

Endorsed by the papacy, these holy wars were led by zealous knights—chiefly the Teutonic Order, formed in the spirit of the Templars. Their goal: convert or confront those who worshipped false gods.