"The Crusades consisted of a succession of military conflicts fought between European Christians and various Muslim groups for control of the so-called Holy Land (now Israel) and surrounding regions. The initial crusading expedition began in 1096 and subsequent ones carried on at intervals for several centuries. Modern historians generally agree that the first five Crusades were the most crucial. After that, considerable scholarly disagreement exists over how many such expeditions should be properly labeled crusades and even over their exact dates."--Provided by publisher.
