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Jan 1, 1054
The Great Schism
Pope Gregory VII sends a representative, Humbert, to Constantinople to convince the Eastern Church to join under the Papacy. This is met terribly, the churches' leaders excommunicate one another and the Great Schism between them begins. -
Jan 1, 1071
Alexius' 1st Plea for Help
The Byzantine Emperor Alexius Commenius asks for help from Gregory VII against the Muslim Seljuk Turks quickly approaching Constantinople. This is accepted, but the Investiture Conflict delays action until 1095. -
Period: Jan 1, 1076 to Jan 1, 1124
The Investiture Conflict
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Jan 1, 1094
Alexius' 2nd Plea for Help
Alexius Commenius once again requests help from Pope Urban II. As Urban II wants to heal the Great Schism, he heeds the call. -
Jan 1, 1096
The First Crusade Begins
French troops arrive. -
Period: Jan 1, 1096 to Jan 1, 1099
The First/People's Crusade
The First Crusade
A vast army led by French Kingdoms retakes Jerusalem. The cities of Edessa, Jerusalem, Antioch and Tripoli are taken; the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem is formed.
The People's Crusade
Radicalized by local preachers, notably Peter the Hermit, peasants attempt to reclaim the Holy Lands themselves, killing many Jews on the way. Most died in Hungary. Primary Source -
Jan 1, 1099
End of First Crusade
The Crusader States of Antioch, Jerusalem and Tripoli are created; Jerusalem is led by a French Noble Baldwin I. Asia Minor is returned to Alexius. The Orders of the Templars and Hospitallers are established to protect these new kingdoms and the Christian pilgrims visiting them. They later become wealthy due to their proximity to trade routes. The killing of Jews on future crusades is forbidden to prevent the People's Crusade from happening again. -
Jan 1, 1144
Edessa Retaken
By the Seljuk Turks, triggering a Second Crusade. -
Period: Jan 1, 1147 to Jan 1, 1149
The Second Crusade
Led by the French King Louis VII, accompanied by his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. It was unsuccessful. -
Jan 1, 1186
Jerusalem Retaken
By the Kurdish Muslim General Saladin, triggering the Third Crusade. -
Period: Jan 1, 1189 to Jan 1, 1192
The Third Crusade
Planned by Richard the Lionhearted of England, Philip Augustus of France and Fredrick Barbarossa of Germany, funded by the Papacy and fought by Richard against Saladin; though both were powerful generals, the Christians were eventually given just a strip of coast off Jerusalem. Saladin, as a courteous leader, promised Christians free and safe access to Holy sites. As Jerusalem wasn't recovered, this Crusade was a failure. -
Period: Jan 1, 1202 to Jan 1, 1204
The Fourth Crusade
The Crusaders were unable to pay their debts to Venice. Like a true loan shark, the Venetians sent them to restore a Byzantine Emperor. They do, but he refuses to pay them back. Thus they lay siege to the city; The Latin Kingdom of Constantinople is established, allowing Venice to fully control their old trade rival. While technically a victory, this wasn't a Holy War. Primary Source