The
Second Crusade (1145–1149) was the second major
crusade launched from Europe as Catholic ('Latin') Holy War against
Islam. The Second Crusade was started in response to the fall of the
County of Edessa the previous year to the forces of
Zengi. The county had been founded during the
First Crusade (1096–1099) by king
Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098. While it was the first
Crusader state to be founded, it was also the first to fall.