A call to Crusade. 1455
On 6 February 1455 a Papal Ambassador called upon England to join a Crusade. Pope Nicholas V was eager to tackle the problem of “the Turk” in Eastern Europe. The Ottomans had advanced and were fighting against Christian armies. He dispatched the Archbishop of Ravenna to gather support in Western Europe for a Holy Crusade against this threat from the east. England was granted a jubilee, usually only offered to those who had visited the Vatican or Holy Land. It was one way of the Church reminding the ordinary people of England and their masters of their duties as Christians.
A Call to Crusade
The ambassador met with the Royal Council twice. On both occasions saying how vital a Crusade was and assuring the Crown of a glorious victory.
He faced several obstacles, though. His embassy had arrived as Henry VI recovered his senses. The Council he met on the second occasion was quite different to that of his first meeting as the Yorkists had resigned by that point and Lancastrian nobles had returned to office.
Situation in England
Finances in England were also tight, this was the middle of a great economic slump and bullion crisis. England and France, who were also asked to join the Crusade, had only recently fought the Battle of Castillon. As far as both sides in that conflict were concerned, the war was not over.
Additionally, there was tension within England and growing lawlessness around the country. The Royal Council had little choice but to decline to participate.
Pope Callixtus III
Pope Nicholas V died in March of 1455. His successor, Pope Callixtus III, was even more determined to tackle the problem of the Ottoman expansion into Europe. His investiture was accompanied by bold statements, such as:
I, Pope Callixtus, vow to Almighty God and the Holy Trinity that by war, maledictions, interdicts, excommunications, and all other means in my power, even sacrifice my life if need be, I will pursue the Turks, the most cruel foes of the Christian name, to conquer again Constantinople, which has been captured and destroyed by Mehmet II in punishment for our sins, for the release of Christians who lie in slavery to strengthen the true faith.
The Crusade was ultimately called, via a Papal Bull, on 15 May 1455. The Bull, a Papal edict, authorised the raising of funds for the campaign against the Turks. Papal emissaries and ambassadors were once again dispatched across Christendom with the intention of raising funds via Church levies and loans. Armies were again requested, once more the English authorities were unable to offer any substantial assistance to the campaigns.
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Project Muse: A Provisional Calendar of St. John Capistran’s Correspondence: Part III: The Crusade Against the Turks: May 18, 1455-December 10, 1456