Helping Byzantines - reasons for going on 1st crusade

'Brothers in East'

Urban's sermon mentioned helping Eastern Christian "brothers" - planning may have started at the Council of Piacenza with Byzantine envoys.

Expected Alexios' role

Crusaders headed to Constantinople expecting Emperor Alexios I to play a major role in the venture.

Joint cooperation

Crusaders and Byzantines cooperated in a joint venture until the siege of Antioch (1097-98).

Nicaea captured

Nicaea was captured by Crusaders and Byzantines and was held by the Byzantines.

Original plan to help

Lack of later cooperation grew from events, but the original motivation was to help Byzantium.

Oaths to Alexios

Nearly all crusade leaders swore oaths of loyalty to Alexios at Constantinople.

But Bohemond anti-Byzantine

Bohemond and the Normans had a history of being anti-Byzantine and had territorial ambitions.

But oaths forced

Oaths of loyalty to Alexios were forced on crusade leaders at Constantinople - some like Raymond didn't even take them

But Byzantines held Nicaea

Byzantines entered Nicaea first and held it, denying crusaders spoils - annoying the crusaders.

But lands taken from Byzantines

Figures like Bohemond and Baldwin took lands that arguably should have been under Byzantine control.