The crusades

The Crusades

By JohnMakellIV
  • 1071

    The Battle of Manzikert

    The Battle of Manzikert
    Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes sent an army of 30,000 to attack the Seljuk Turks. After learning of this plot, Alp Arslan met them at Manzikert and proposed terms of peace. After Romanos refused, the Turks went on to defeat the Byzantine army.
  • 1095

    A Call for Help

    A Call for Help
    Newly crowned Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus, sent word to Pope Urban II asking for military assistance from Western Europe to fight against the Turks. The Pope agreed to send mercenaries to fight against the Turks in order to take back the Holy Land from Muslim control. This marked the beginning of the First Crusade.
  • 1096

    The First Crusaders Arrive

    The First Crusaders Arrive
    A group of commoners and knights known as the "People's Crusade" arrived in Cibotus. The Muslim army quickly crushed the Christian troops.
  • 1097

    Crusaders First Victory

    The Crusaders, in full force now, invaded the Seljuk capital of Nicea (in present day Turkey) and eventually forced the city to surrender.
  • 1099

    The Fall of Jerusalem

    Crusaders and Byzantine forces besieged the city of Jerusalem, causing the Egyptian Fatimids (who were shi'ite Muslims) to surrender. Despite a promise of protection from one of the Christian leaders, the Crusaders slaughtered hundreds of innocent citizens on their way to capture the city. This ended the first Crusade.
  • 1110

    Crusaders Set Up Shop

    In the years following their victory, the Crusaders set up four large settlements in Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch and Tripoli. They called these Crusader States and they were guarded by castles.
  • 1144

    Muslim Forces Fight Back

    The Muslims called for a jihad against the invasive Crusaders. Led by Seljuk general and governor of Mosul, Zangi, the Muslim army defeated the Christians at Edessa causing the first Crusader State to fall.
  • 1147

    The Second Crusade Begins

    The Second Crusade Begins
    After the defeat at Edessa, Christians in Western Europe called for another Crusade. Led by King Louis VII, the Crusaders set out east.
  • 1149

    A Decisive Victory

    A Decisive Victory
    Led by Zangi's successor, Nur al-Din, the Muslim forces handed the Christian army of 50,000 (their largest yet) a crushing defeat at Damascus. This ended the Second Crusade.
  • 1169

    Muslims Defend Egypt

    Christians in the Crusader State of Jerusalem attempted many times to take over the Egypt, which was Muslim territory. Led by general Shirkuh and his promising nephew, Saladin, the Muslim forces were able to defend the land and seize Cairo, forcing the Crusaders to retreat.
  • 1187

    Saladin Makes His Move

    Saladin Makes His Move
    Muslim general Saladin led campaigns against the Crusader State that had been established in Jerusalem. His troops obliterated the Christian armies, taking back the city as well as acquiring a large amount of territory.
  • 1187

    The Third Crusade Begins

    The Third Crusade Begins
    Angered by the loss of Jerusalem, Christians in Europe called for another Crusade, this time led by King Phillip II of France and King Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionhearted.
  • 1191

    A Christian Victory

    A Christian Victory
    In the only true battle of the Third Crusade, Richard I and his army defeated Saladin in the Battle of Arsuf. The Crusaders established control over some of the region and moved towards Jerusalem but Richard I refused to besiege the city.
  • 1192

    Peace?

    Peace?
    Richard I and Saladin signed a peace treaty which effectively ended the Third Crusade.
  • Period: 1200 to 1229

    Crusaders or Barbarians?

    The goal of the Crusades during the 13th century was less against the Muslims in the Middle East but instead were efforts to combat anybody that was seen as an "enemy" of the Christian faith.
  • 1221

    Fifth Crusade

    Another Crusade was ordered by Pope Innocent III to attempt to take over Egypt. This plan failed, as Muslim forces, led by Saladin's nephew, Al-Malik al-Kamil, defeated the Christian army.
  • 1291

    "End of the Crusades"

    "End of the Crusades"
    After many attempts throughout several decades to take over Egypt and the city of Jerusalem, the last Crusader city in Acre fell into Muslim control, which was the last official Crusade to the Holy Land.
  • Period: 1350 to 1400

    Ottoman Empire Established

    The Ottoman Turks expanded their empire into more of the Mediterranean states, including Bulgaria and Greece and also surrounded Constantinople. The Ottoman Empire began to expand into Europe which ironically put the very same Europeans that invaded the East centuries ago, on the defensive.