Children's Crusade

By alexmdrake7
  • May 10, 1200

    Birth of Stephen

    Stephen, the leader of the French Children's Crusade, is born a few years before the Fourth Crusade. He was suspected to be a preteen during the Children's Crusade.
  • May 10, 1204

    The End of the Fourth Crusade

    The infamous fourth crusade destroyed Christian morale, as crusaders ravaged the Byzantine Empire but ultimately failed in their main goal.
  • May 10, 1212

    Stephen Incites Children's Crusade in France

    Stephen, a shepherd boy from France, allegedly receives divine inspiration from God to reclaim Jerusalem.
  • May 10, 1212

    The German Children's Crusade Gathers

    Nicholas, a German youth, gathers yet another purported 20,000 children, and they voyage through the Alps to their destination, which none of them ever reach.
  • Jun 10, 1212

    The French Children's Crusade Begins

    Stephen goes to Paris to receive the king's backing for his endeavor; after being snubbed his following allegedly grows to 30,000 children.
  • Oct 10, 1212

    Dissolution of Children's Crusade

    Both of the Children's Crusades slowly devolved over time. When unable to gain support, many members would attempt to walk home; more often than not they would die. Others would die from exposure to the elements, and, especially nearing the end of the voyages, they were allegedly kidnapped, murdered, raped, or sold into slavery. Seven boatloads of the remaining French children set sail across the Mediterranean. They were never found. In the end, the death toll of the crusade was gigantic.