First Crusade - journey to Constantinople

The journey - Several troops

The main armies traveled in several separate groups or "troops" along different routes to Constantinople.

Godfrey and Baldwin's route

Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin traveled through Germany and Hungary, negotiating terms with King Coloman of Hungary.

Baldwin as hostage

Baldwin was given as a hostage to King Coloman to guarantee the good behavior of Godfrey's army as they passed through Hungary.

Raymond's route

Raymond of Toulouse traveled by sea, going through Italy and the Balkans.

Northern French route

The northern French contingents journeyed across France to Italy, where they spent the winter before sailing to the East.

Robert and Stephen

Robert of Normandy and Stephen of Blois spent the winter in Italy before sailing east.

Bohemond's route

Bohemond crossed the Adriatic from Brindisi.

Adhemar attacked

Adhemar of Le Puy was attacked by bandits but was saved thanks to help from passing crusaders.

Hugh shipwrecked

Hugh of Vermandois was shipwrecked, losing all his possessions.

Byzantine preparations

Emperor Alexios I made sure towns along the crusaders' routes had supplies ready to control their arrival and prevent foraging.

Byzantine bodyguards

Byzantine guides and bodyguards accompanied the crusader armies. Bohemond accepted cooperation when promised food and treasure.

Alexios's strategy

Alexios ensured the armies had minimal contact with one another and did not want a single large, hostile force arriving at his capital.

Godfrey's initial stance

Godfrey of Bouillon at first refused to go to the holding camp outside Constantinople, showing initial resistance to Byzantine control.