The First Crusade

The Preaching + Events of the First Crusade (1095-1099)

Why was the First Crusade called?

1. Alexius’ Plea → Byzantine threatened by Pagans up north, Seljuks to the East, Normans to the South.

2. Urban’s Political Motivations → Spread his power and solidify his status.

3. Healing of The Great Schism → Reunite the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

4. 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?

1. Religious Zeal → Plenary Indulgence, Spiritual Reward, God’s Favour.

2. Social Dynamics → Pressures Faced by obligations or family.

3. Economic Incentives → Loot and Plunder, Trade opportunities, Social Mobility, Primogeniture.

4. 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

1. Baldwin of Boulogne

2. Godfrey of Bouillon

3. Count Hugh of France

4. Bohemond of Taranto

5. Raymond IV of Toulouse

6. Stephen of Blois

7. Robert II Count of Flanders

8. 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.