ABSTRACT
The crusaders attracted a lot of attention, but there is very little evidence for them coming home wealthy. A group of crusaders also brought into the argument are the sailors of the Italian maritime cities, which were already climbing to prominence in the resurgence of Mediterranean trade and were quickly involved in crusading. 880 participants in the First Crusade, overwhelmingly from the armsbearing classes, have been identified so far in the narratives and charters. Of these, 100 are known to have settled in the East. There can be no doubt that crusading attracted violent men, whose appetites must have been sharpened by the disorientation, fear and stress they experienced during the campaigns. The benefits to the crusader were multiplied, because he could leave with a clear conscience as well as with a contribution towards his costs, although Stephen of Neublans wanted to assure posterity of his best intentions.
