Pastoureaux, Crusade of the
PASTOUREAUX, CRUSADE OF THE
The Pastoureaux were bands of peasants and laborers who swept through France in 1251 in a popular uprising similar to the Children's Crusade. Their aim was to free the king of France, louis ix, who was then a captive of the Muslims, and to reconquer Jerusalem. The Pastoureaux were led by a mysterious "Master of Hungary," a powerful and persuasive preacher about 60 years old. The "Master" also sent an emissary to England in an effort to raise other bands there, but his representative was torn to pieces by a mob. The movement was accompanied by violent attacks upon feudal lords and upon the clergy, particularly the franciscans and dominicans, who were held in some way responsible for the disasters that befell St. Louis's crusade in Egypt. The queen-regent, Blanche of Castile, was at first inclined to assist the Pastoureaux, but when news of their more violent outbreaks reached her, she ordered their suppression. The "Master of Hungary" was killed in battle near Villeneuve-sur-Cher and the main bands quickly broke up. Only a few of the Pastoureaux ever reached the Holy Land.
Bibliography: matthew paris, Chronica majora, ed. h. r. luard, 7 v. (Rolls Series 57; 1872–83) 5:246–254. É. berger, Histoire de Blanche de Castille (Paris 1895). j. delalande, Les Extraordinaires croisades d'enfants et de pastoureaux au moyen âge (Paris 1962).
[j. a. brundage]