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The First Crusade
Alan Lantto
The primary author is the individual who drafted the first version of
this section; a section that could have been modified since it was
originally published.
Start of the Crusades
The area in the Middle East near Jerusalem in considered the
holy lands for Christians, Muslims and the people of Jewish
faith. In the 7th century, these lands were taken over by the
Levant; a series of Muslim conquests. A group of Muslims
known as the Seljuq Turks started to gain expansion territories
towards the city of Anatolia. In response, the Byzantine
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos requested support from the pope to send aid to repel the invaders.
The Council of Clermont
In response to the Byzantine Emperor's request, Pope Urban II went to France to talk with nobles and
clergy. At this meeting, Urban spoke of atrocities that were happening to Christians and pilgrims within
the holy lands which had been conquered by the Turks. Within the speech Urban told his guest that God
wished for them to head to the Holy Lands and take them back for Christian people. And, those that
would join the crusade would be forgiven all sins and would enter in to heaven.
The Jews
Before the official start of the crusade, Emicho of Flonheim lead attacks against Jewish settlements in
France and Germany. His men killed Jewish people all the way to Hungary where they were defeated by
Coloman, the ruler of Hungary. The purpose of their attacks were to get people of Jewish faith convert
to Christianity. After the armies defeat the men joined up with the rest of the crusading forces towards
the Holy Land, well others just went back home.
Siege of Antioch
The city of Antioch was a great city that was almost unassailable. The strong hold was the half way point
between Constantinople and Jerusalem. The first plan to take the city was to cut off any relief and
supplies the city was going to obtain. The Crusader army had to defeat two armies set to give relief to
the city. Even before fighting the armies the Crusaders could not successfully surround the entire city
Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/middle/manuscripts/02-crusades.html
Last updated on 8 May 2015
Photo Caption: Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont , Livre des Passages d'Outre-mer, c. 1490
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due to lack of troops, because of this the city was able to stay supplied. It was not entail eight months
later that the crusaders caught a lucky break. A relief force of crusading troops entered the city. This
forces successfully bribed a guard to surrender his tower, and the crusaders were able to enter the city
and kill their enemies taking the city. Within days of taking the city the crusaders had to deal with a new
attacking Muslim army. The hopes of the crusaders were down and had little faith of victory. Then a
monk claimed to have found the holy lance, the spear that had struck Jesus during the crucifixion, which
gave the crusaders hope and were then able to defeat the invading army.
Siege of Jerusalem
The area surrounding the city of Jerusalem had little food and water and no chance of relief for the
crusaders. There were less than 14,000 men left fighting to taker Jerusalem. The forces split into two
groups, one at the north gate and one at the south gate. The first attempt at an attack field after the
crusaders were stopped at the inner walls of the city. After days of planning, another attack the
crusaders were able to build siege equipment to take the walls. Both the south and north gates were
attacked at the same time. The southern gate was the stronger gate and little head way was made, but
the northern gate fell quickly due to the guards fleeing from the gate. After the crusaders entered the
south wall was abandoned allowing the crusaders to enter the city. After they entered the city then
slaughter the people inside the city. People took shelter in temples and home that where then burnt to
the ground. Eventually the crusades stopped and took the survivors prisoner. The Christian population
of the city was exiled from the city and avoided the massacre.
The Effects of the Crusade
The first thing the crusades established was the Kingdom of Jerusalem which placed one of the leaders,
Godfrey, as its ruler. Then the crusaders states such as Antioch and Jerusalem where established along
with other states. These states helped relive the Byzantine Empire from the threat of the Seljuq forces.
The kingdom of England faced a great political change because their king left to join the crusades and
the throne passed to his brother. Which lead to the battle of Tinchebray where King Henry defeated his
crusading brother and kept the throne. The Crusades lead to the inspiration to arts mostly within the
15th century. Most importantly the first crusade lead paths that would then start multiply crusades in
the near future.
Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/middle/manuscripts/02-crusades.html
Last updated on 8 May 2015
Photo Caption: Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont , Livre des Passages d'Outre-mer, c. 1490
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Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/middle/manuscripts/02-crusades.html
Last updated on 8 May 2015
Photo Caption: Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont , Livre des Passages d'Outre-mer, c. 1490
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Reprinted from College History
http://collegehistory.info/middle/manuscripts/02-crusades.html
Last updated on 8 May 2015
Photo Caption: Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont , Livre des Passages d'Outre-mer, c. 1490
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