what effect did the crusades have on trade?
Effects of the Crusades. advertisement. advertisement. Although the crusades failed to capture Jerusalem, they had several major impacts on Western Europe. They increased the authority of the king: Sometimes nobles died in battle without leaving an heir in which case the king got their land. Kings passed taxes to pay for the crusades. To pay this tax some nobles had to sell some of their land. Other nobles used the sale of land to offer serfs a chance to buy their freedom. Without as much land, nobles did not need as many serfs. As for the peasants, they were free to leave.