AQA_2024: A-level History - Component 1A
The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
A-level
HISTORY
Component 1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
Thursday 23 May 2024 Morning Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/1A.
Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
IB/M/Jun24/7042/1A
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key areas:
1. The Origins of the Crusades:
o The Byzantine Empire’s appeal for help against Seljuk Turks after the Battle of Manzikert
(1071).
o Pope Urban II’s call for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont (1095), promising
spiritual rewards.
2. The First Crusade (1096–1099):
o The successful capture of Jerusalem in 1099, establishing Crusader states like Edessa,
Antioch, Tripoli, and Jerusalem.
o The role of leaders like Godfrey of Bouillon and Bohemond of Taranto.
3. The Second Crusade (1147–1149):
o Triggered by the fall of Edessa (1144) to the Seljuk Turks.
o Failure of the Crusaders, with no significant territorial gains and a failed siege of Damascus.
4. The Third Crusade (1189–1192):
o Response to the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187.
o Key figures: Richard the Lionheart, Philip II of France, and Frederick I Barbarossa.
o Partial success: Crusaders recaptured some coastal cities but failed to reclaim Jerusalem.
5. The Fourth Crusade (1202–1204):
o Originally aimed at reconquering Jerusalem but diverted to Constantinople.
o Capture and sack of Constantinople (1204), marking the end of Byzantine dominance and
the beginning of the Latin Empire.
6. Impact of the Crusades:
o Cultural exchange between East and West, including knowledge, goods, and technology.
o Economic and social changes in Europe, strengthening the power of the Church and
influencing the feudal system.
o The decline of the Byzantine Empire and rise of Islamic powers in the Middle East.
These key areas cover the main events, figures, and impacts of the Crusades between 1071 and 1204.
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IB/M/Jun24/7042/1A Turn over ►
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Section A
Answer Question 01.
Extract A
When Jerusalem was captured in July 1099 the crusaders had achieved their goal, but
there was no evidence that they had a plan for the future beyond the liberation of the
Holy City. Thus, once they had fulfilled their pilgrim vows, many crusaders were ready to
set out for home. As a result, Godfrey of Bouillon’s realm consisted of little more than
three isolated territories: Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jaffa. Baldwin I, however, 5
succeeded in extending the Kingdom to include the coastal cities. This was vital for the
Kingdom’s survival. But, the critical city of Ascalon was not taken by Baldwin. Already,
the Egyptians had landed armies there to threaten the Kingdom, and any coastal cities
were under threat so long as the Egyptians had a harbour so close to them. A further
problem for Baldwin and his successors was that the cities had been taken at a price. 10
The participation of the Italians, although vital, led to a significant loss of revenue from
trade.
Adapted from S Edgington, Baldwin I of Jerusalem, 2020
Extract B
Although the First Crusaders achieved the initial invasion of the Near East, the real task
of conquest and creation of the Crusader States was carried out by the first generation of
settlers. Of these, the greatest individual contributions were undoubtedly made by
King Baldwin I and his rival, Tancred. Together these two steered the Latin East through
a period of extreme fragility. The real significance of Islamic disunity became clear. In 5
these years of foundation, the western European settlement of Syria and Palestine quite
probably could have been halted by committed and determined Muslim attack. Baldwin’s
and Tancred’s successes were also built upon a flexibility of approach that mixed
ruthlessness with realism. Thus, the work of consolidation and suppression was carried
out, not simply through direct military conquest, but also via diplomacy, financial 10
exploitation and the incorporation of the indigenous non-Latin population. Latin survival
was likewise dependent upon the willingness of Baldwin, Tancred and their
contemporaries to replace internal competition and confrontation with cooperation in the
face of external threats.
Adapted from T Asbridge, The Crusades, 2010
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