How many Children's Crusades were launched in 1212?

The correct answer is that two Children's Crusades were launched in 1212. This particular year is notable in historical accounts for two distinct movements that included children and adolescents attempting to reach the Holy Land.

The two crusades were driven by fervent religious belief and the desire to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control but were marked by naivety and ultimately tragic outcomes. The first movement began in France and was led by a shepherd boy named Stephen of Cloyes, who claimed to have received a vision from Christ. The second movement originated in Germany and was led by a boy named Nicholas.

Both groups faced immense challenges, as many participants were deceived or forced into slavery, leading to significant loss of life and hope. The Children's Crusades remain a poignant example of how the zeal of youth can be manipulated and the significant societal impacts of the broader Crusading movements of the Middle Ages.