Conquest, holy war, and crusade. The plan of the military campaign against the Slavs. A new interpretation of the so-called Magdeburg Letter of 1108

In the early twelfth century, it was possible to justify (morally and legally) the conquest of a neighbouring non-Christian territory using theological arguments from the Bible and Christian authors, including various narratives about the torture and suffering of Christians. Such conflicts were legitimised as holy wars fought for defensive purposes. This study will show that waging war against the neighbours, seen as “enemies of Christ”, was quickly associated with a crusade, and conveyed through preaching. The plan is included in the Magdeburg charter. The document believed to have been written in 1108 emphasizes the reconquest of a lost territory which previously held an ecclesiastical organization. The repercussions of the conquest of the Holy Land could be felt in Magdeburg. The event became a flexible model which could have been adapted according to the regional interests. In the early twelfth century, it was possible to justify (morally and legally) the conquest of a neighbouring non-Christian territory using theological arguments from the Bible and Christian authors, including various narratives about the torture and suffering of Christians. Such conflicts were legitimised as holy wars fought for defensive purposes. This study will show that waging war against the neighbours, seen as “enemies of Christ”, was quickly associated with a crusade, and conveyed through preaching. The plan is included in the Magdeburg charter. The document believed to have been written in 1108 emphasizes the reconquest of a lost territory which previously held an ecclesiastical organization. The repercussions of the conquest of the Holy Land could be felt in Magdeburg. The event became a flexible model which could have been adapted according to the regional interests.