History Fact Finder | Religion - What Was An Infidel?

What was an infidel?

The term infidel comes from the Latin word infidelis, which means "unbelieving" or "unfaithful." During the Middle Ages (A.D. c. 450–c. 1500), the Catholic Church used the term to describe Muslims (followers of Islam, the religion founded by the prophet Muhammad; c. A.D. 570–632). As the Moors (Muslims of North Africa) moved into Spain in the early eighth century and the Seljuq Turks conquered much of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) during the eleventh century, Christians became increasingly fearful of Muslim influence.

When Muslims occupied lands that had formerly been ruled by Christians, the Muslims forbade Christians from making pilgrimages to the Holy Land in the Middle East (present-day Palestine). In response, western Europeans took up arms in eight religious and military expeditions known as the Crusades, which began in 1095 and lasted for nearly 200 years.

The Moors controlled...

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass