1. Crusaders: This is the most well-known and widely used term for those who fought in the Crusades. It is derived from the Latin word "crux," meaning "cross." Crusaders were often referred to as "soldiers of the cross" or "knights of the cross" because they displayed the symbol of the cross on their clothing or armor.
2. Franks: The term "Franks" was often used by Muslims and other non-Western peoples to refer to the European Crusaders. This term had its roots in the early Middle Ages when it was used to describe the Germanic tribes that conquered Gaul (present-day France) and established the Kingdom of the Franks. The term "Frank" became associated with Western Europeans more generally and was applied to the Crusaders.
3. Latins: Another term used to refer to the Crusaders, particularly in the Byzantine Empire and other Eastern Mediterranean regions, was "Latins." This term emphasized the religious and cultural differences between the Western European Crusaders and the Eastern Orthodox Christians of the Byzantine Empire and the Levant.
4. Outremer Knights: The term "Outremer Knights" was used to describe the Crusaders who settled in the Crusader States established in the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean). "Outremer" is a French word meaning "overseas," referring to the lands conquered by the Crusaders outside of Europe. These knights held territories and established feudal societies in regions like the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the County of Tripoli, and the Principality of Antioch.
5. Pilgrims: Some Crusaders were motivated by religious devotion and saw their participation in the Crusades as a form of pilgrimage. They believed that fighting for the cause of Christianity and liberating the Holy Land from Muslim control was an act of piety and could earn them spiritual rewards.
6. Holy Warriors: The religious aspect of the Crusades led to participants being referred to as "holy warriors" or "warriors of Christ." They considered themselves as fighting a just and holy war to defend Christendom and secure access to holy sites.
7. Cross-Bearers: The prominent display of the cross as a symbol of the Crusades resulted in Crusaders sometimes being referred to as "cross-bearers" or "men of the cross."
It's important to note that these terms were not necessarily exclusive, and different names were used in different contexts and regions during the Crusades.