The first documented plenary indulgence—a remission of all temporal punishment for sin—was probably offered in 1095 by Pope Urban II for those taking part in the First Crusade. Pope Eugene III’s offer of indulgences for participation in the second crusade went further, extending indulgences for the remission of temporal punishment not only in this life but also in purgatory.15
This does not look good neither to the Church nor to the crusades, but it does highlight that the latter was viewed as a “good work”.
