The Preaching + Events of the First Crusade (1095-1099)
Why was the First Crusade called?
Alexius’ Plea → Byzantine threatened by Pagans up north, Seljuks to the East, Normans to the South.
Urban’s Political Motivations → Spread his power and solidify his status.
Healing of The Great Schism → Reunite the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
The Continuation of Traditional Holy War → St. Augustine’s Just War Theory.
Council of Clermont
November 1095, Urban II’s speech against infidels, Alexius made his plea here, a chant of Deus Vult, the crusade was called.
What was the Motivations for the crusaders?
Religious Zeal → Plenary Indulgence, Spiritual Reward, God’s Favour.
Social Dynamics → Pressures Faced by obligations or family.
Economic Incentives → Loot and Plunder, Trade opportunities, Social Mobility, Primogeniture.
Political Ambitions → Centralisation of Authority, Feudal Dominance.
The People’s Crusade
An unofficial crusade ran by approx. 40,000 peasants. They pillaged and killed on the way, making enemies and ruining the land.
At Constantinople Alexius I offered them shelter whilst they wait for the real crusaders, they declined and went on.
They were attacked by Seljuks, most of them killed, Peter the Hermit ran away.
Leaders
Baldwin of Boulogne
Godfrey of Bouillon
Count Hugh of France
Bohemond of Taranto
Raymond IV of Toulouse
Stephen of Blois
Robert II Count of Flanders
Duke Robert of Normandy
They were military commanders, the papal legate Adhemar was the overall Leader.
Siege of Nicaea
Could not fully besiege due to lake at the back of Nicaea, Arslan was sending his relief force.
Aleius’ rolled ships on logs over land to fulfil the siege, the Nicaeans gave in.
Battle of Dorylaeum
Arslan arrived with a bigger army, he encircled the crusaders.
The crusaders put their supplies and non-militants in the middle, The Turks broke through.
At midday Godfrey and Adhemar arrived with the French troops and pushed the Turks away.
Edessa
Baldwin married the daughter to the leader of Edessa, he mysteriously died and Baldwin inherited Edessa.
First crusader state and took peacefully.
Siege of Antioch
8 month siege, Antioch was surrounded by a 25 mile wall, over 400 towers, and a Citadel.
The crusaders faced disease and famine.
Bohemond secretly bribed an Armenian inside who let them in. They still had not took the citadel, the Turks hid inside it, Kerbogha sent a huge relief force.
There was mass desertion, the crusaders closed the gates, They discovered the spear of destiny, flooded the Citadel and ran Kerbogha off.
Siege of Jerusalem
25,000 Crusaders left, Local Arab communities did not oppose them, some paid to be left alone.
They gathered at Bethlehem, with the use of siege tools, in 1099 Jerusalem fell to the crusaders.