Crusades Persuasion Homeschool Lesson: Pope Urban’s Speech

In this post, I will be sharing our Crusades Persuasion Homeschool Lesson using Pope Urban II’s speech of 1095.

Crusades Persuasion Homeschool Lesson

Why Teach Persuasion Through History?

As homeschooling parents, we’re always looking for ways to make learning meaningful, memorable, and cross-curricular. One of the most powerful ways to teach persuasive writing is through real historical events, especially those that demonstrate just how impactful words can be.

Few examples illustrate this better than the speech delivered at the Council of Clermont in 1095. This moment didn’t just inspire a crowd, it mobilised thousands, united divided regions, and sparked a series of campaigns that would shape history for centuries.

By exploring this event, children don’t just learn history, they experience the power of rhetoric, authority, and belief.

Lesson Focus: Persuasion, Propaganda, and Critical Thinking

This lesson was designed with two main goals:

• To teach persuasive writing techniques
• To introduce the concept of propaganda and its influence

By combining historical source analysis, discussion, and creative projects, children engage both analytically and imaginatively.

Crusades Persuasion Homeschool Lesson: Pope Urban II’s Speech (1095)

“People of Europe, I bring you an important message. Your fellow Christians in the East are in danger. Their lands have been attacked, their homes taken, and their holy places are no longer safe. They need your help.

This is your chance to do something brave and meaningful. Travel to the East and help defend these lands. Protect those who cannot protect themselves, and take back the holy city of Jerusalem.

This journey will not be easy, but it is a noble cause. Those who go and fight for this mission will be forgiven for their sins. Do not fight each other anymore, turn your strength toward this greater purpose.

Let this be your calling. Take up the cross and go forward with courage and faith.”

Short Context:

In 1095, Europe was very religious, and many people believed strongly in helping their faith. At this time, an important city called Jerusalem was controlled by a different group, and some Christians were worried about access to their holy places. The Byzantine Empire (a Christian empire in the East) asked for help because they were being attacked. Pope Urban II gave this speech at a meeting in Clermont, France, to encourage people to go on a journey called the First Crusade. He wanted knights and others to stop fighting each other in Europe and instead unite for a shared goal.

Pope Urban II speech at Clermont, 1095, is arguably one of the most influential speeches of all times.  It is the speech that fired up a whole nation to join together, even whilst parts of it were at war with each other, to fight against the perceived enemy of God, the Muslims; to fight for the Holy City, a city which it could be said they knew and cared little about until that moment at Clermont.  This was a speech which was the catalyst for a series of wars, known now as the Crusades.  And there were many of them.  The first Crusade set a precedence in its success, never to be matched again throughout the remaining crusades.  Many lives fought, from trained knights to untrained children; and from the very riches to the very poorest.  This speech reached out and touched everybody.

Exploring the Speech: Comparing Historical Accounts

One of the most valuable aspects of this lesson is examining different versions of the same speech. Two key accounts provide contrasting perspectives:

• A more emotional and dramatic retelling written years later
• A calmer, more direct version written closer to the actual event

This naturally leads to discussions about:

• Reliability of sources
• Bias and interpretation
• How storytelling shapes perception

There are a few different versions of the speech, written by various people in different time scales to the actual speech giving ceremony at Clermont.  The main ones can be found here.  To introduce the children to Pope Urban’s methods I first had them listen to this version on YouTube.  This is an emotional interpretation of Robert the Monk, written about 25 years after the event. I chose both this version and a more sedate rendition, written by the chronicler Fulcher of Chartres. 

I wanted the children to be familiar with Fulcher’s version because he wrote from his own experience of having been at the council at Clermont.  His is not based on the Gesta account (unlike all the others) and it was written only 5-10 years after the event.  All in all, this makes it a good primary evidence source to study. 

It differs widely from the more emotive, forthright version from Robert the Monk, yet contains enough persuasive material to get our teeth into.  While I prepared our roast dinner, I got two of the children washing and drying up whilst the third read out a couple of paragraphs of the speech.  Then they swapped round, until all the speech had been read (most passionately I might add!), after which we settled in the living room for a bit of chat about Fulcher’s version.

Discussion Highlights with Children

Discussing anything with my children has to be one of my favourite past times.  I love hearing their views and always probe them for more.  I want them to tell me why and to give examples and reasons to back up their views.  All views are acceptable, so long as they can be substantiated.  I asked each child to give me their initial response and to explain why they felt that way.  Each had their own copy of the speech in their hot little hands.

Encouraging open dialogue is key.

Some insightful observations my children made include:

• Questioning authority claims (e.g., who can grant forgiveness?). Charlotte, 10, commented that the pope was claiming things that were Biblically untrue.  She gave the example of the Pope having the right to grant ‘immediate remission of sins’ and said that the Bible was clear that only Jesus could do that. 
• Noticing structure, how persuasion builds gradually: Lillie, 10, thought it was interesting that the pope doesn’t mention the reason for his speech (to garner support and fighters for his holy war) until after he has ensured the council have purged themselves (with his help) of anything which might prevent them from doing their (perceived) duty to God (to support and fight in his holy war). 
• Identifying how language elevates the speaker’s authority: Lillie also felt the speech was clever because Urban would have been a very learned man in terms of the Bible as well as being highly respected so it was likely that those he spoke to may have simply accepted his word as gospel. 
• Thomas, 11, agreed, pointing out that it seemed he had elevated himself to a position as an equal to Christ.  He used the quotes ‘On this account, I, or rather the Lord…’; ‘I say this….Moreover Christ commands it’ ; ‘have immediate remission of sins.  This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested’ and ‘You must especially let all matters that pertain to the church be controlled by the law of the church’   Thomas felt this was quite ingenious because he was using this power to do that which ultimately was his will and that of the Byzantine Emperor, rather than any explicitly expressed wish of God.
• Recognising how emotional appeals influence decision-making

These discussions develop critical thinking, not just historical knowledge.

Introducing Propaganda (In an Age-Appropriate Way)

Children are often fascinated by the idea that words and images can influence large groups of people.

We explored propaganda as:

“Powerful persuasion designed to influence thinking and action.”

We looked at key techniques such as:

• Repetition
• Appeal to authority
• Fear-based messaging
• “Us vs them” narratives
• Promises of reward
• Presenting only one “correct” choice

Hands-On Project: Designing a Crusade Propaganda Poster

This was the highlight of the lesson. If you’d like to read about the whole activity, head over to my post: Crusades Activity – Persuasion Poster

Objective:

Create a persuasive poster encouraging people to join a historical cause.

Skills Developed:

• Persuasive writing
• Visual communication
• Symbolism
• Historical empathy

Creative Choices Children Might Make:

• Use bold imagery (e.g., religious symbols, weapons, colors)
• Include emotional language
• Appeal to reward (heaven, honor, glory)
• Use powerful slogans

Example Ideas:

• “Earn your place in Heaven!”
• “Your country needs you!”
• Use of Latin phrases for authenticity

Encourage children to explain why they made each design choice, this reinforces learning.

Extending the Lesson: Role Play & Immersive Learning

To deepen understanding, consider ending your unit with a reenactment.

Host Your Own “Council”

Children can:

• Dress in simple costumes (robes, cloaks, etc.)
• Deliver parts of the speech (original or rewritten)
• Present their posters
• Hand out “scrolls” with persuasive messages

This kind of immersive experience helps children:

• Internalize learning
• Build confidence
• Practice public speaking

If you’d like to see us recreating the Council of Clermont click here.

Additional Hands-On Activity Ideas

1. Create Propaganda Scrolls

• Write persuasive messages
• Roll into scrolls and seal (or tape)
• Discuss how messages were shared historically

If you like to see the whole process of us making these scrolls head over to Crusades activity Council of Clermont

2. Highlighting Exercise

Give children a printed speech and ask them to color-code:

• Mentions of authority
• Emotional language
• Persuasive techniques

3. Compare with Modern Examples

Look at modern advertisements or campaigns and ask:

• What techniques are similar?
• How are emotions used?

4. Build a Persuasion Toolkit

Create a list of persuasive techniques children can reuse in writing:

• Strong openings
• Repetition
• Emotional appeal
• Authority references

Reflection Questions for Children

Use these to deepen understanding and spark discussion:

1. Why do you think this speech persuaded people?
2. Which persuasive technique do you think was most effective? Why?
3. Do you think it is right to use fear to persuade people?
4. How can we tell if something is propaganda?
5. Can persuasion ever be dangerous? When?
6. How would you rewrite the message for a modern audience?
7. What responsibility comes with being a persuasive speaker?

Crusades Persuasion Homeschool Lesson: Final Thoughts

This lesson is a powerful reminder that history isn’t just about dates and events, it’s about people, choices, and influence.

By combining:

• Source analysis
• Discussion
• Creative expression
• Role play

…you create a rich, memorable learning experience that teaches far more than one subject alone.

Most importantly, your children begin to understand a lifelong skill:

Words have power, and learning how to use and question them is essential.