Secondly, it was distinguished in 1095 by Urban II's launching of the Crusades, which, in an attempt to liberate the Holy Land from Muslim domination, marshaled under papal leadership the aggressive energies of the European nobility. Both these efforts, although ultimately unsuccessful, greatly enhanced papal prestige in the 12th and 13th centuries.
In 1095, Urban II launched the Crusades to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. Supported by papal leadership, this effort mobilized European nobility's aggressive energies. Although these campaigns were unsuccessful, they greatly enhanced papal prestige during the 12th and 13th centuries.