Kinderkruistocht, 1212 19th century

This is an anonymous print of ‘Children’s Crusade, 1212’. It depicts a group of children, and some adults, embarking on a crusade to the Holy Land. The image creates meaning through the use of religious symbols, such as crosses and banners, and through the depiction of the children as innocent and pure. The Children's Crusade was a real event that took place in Europe. Thousands of children were convinced to join the crusade, believing that their innocence would allow them to succeed where adults had failed. However, most of the children either died on the way or were sold into slavery. This print reflects on the social conditions of the time, including the power of the church and the exploitation of children. We, as historians, can look at the institutional history behind this work. We need to look into the records of the church at this time, and what the role of children were in society. The meaning of the artwork is contingent on this social and institutional context.