The Crusades

Pope Urban II preaches the First Crusade

Nov 27, 1095

Pope Urban II made one of the most historic speeches of the Middle Ages where he calls to arm every Christian in Europe to reclaim the Holy land from the Muslims.

"People's Crusades"

Dec 31, 1095

Before the more organized Crusades happened a group of knights under the control of Peter the Hermit took off and the first major skirmish happened. The Europeans were completely crushed by the Turkish people. The Muslims and Crusaders first battle.

First Wave of Crusaders

1096

Four groups of Armies of different Western European regions left for Byzantium in the spring of 1096

March Through Anatolia

Jun 20, 1098

The combined force of the Byzantine leaders and the Crusaders managed to capture the city Antioch. Despite tension and unstable relationships between the two armies they came together and got a major victory.

Capturing Jerusalem

Jul 4, 1099

After power struggles in Antioch the Crusaders began their long journey to capturing Jerusalem. By 1099 the city's governor had surrendered and the control shifted. Though Tancred promised that the civilians would be protected there were an enormous amount of innocent lives taken during their entrance to Jerusalem.

Success of the First Crusades

1135

Many of the original armies left for home and the eventual leftover land was split into 4 separate regions and still had populations. The First Crusade was extremely quick and successful so there was a long period of Crusade power and not having to be worried about the Muslims.

Second Crusade

1144

General Zangi of the Seljuk captured Edessa which was the loss of the most northern state that the Crusaders controlled. This caused an uproar throughout Europe and called for the second call of arms and the Second Crusades. Led by the French and German Kings at the time.

Stronghold of Damascus

1149

The largest Crusader Force ever aimed its sights at the Syrian Stronghold of Damascus. The Crusader army was estimated at that of some 50,000 people. Despite the massive Crusader Army the combined efforts of the Damascus' ruler and Nur al-Din, Zangi's successor, they were able to defeat the Crusaders which put an end to the Second Crusade

Third Crusade

1192

Nur al-Din and Saladin's forces captured Cairo in 1169 which forced a retreat/evacuation of the Crusader force. Saladin's forces defeated the Crusaders in Hattin and captured a large portion of territory. The English and French king waged a battle of Arsuf, the only real battle of the Third Crusade. The Crusaders were victorius and in 1192 King Richard of England signed a peace treaty with Saladin effectively ending the Third Crusade.

Fall of Constantinople

1205

The Fourth Crusade was a war waged against Constantinople for trying to convert and submit the Byzantines. These Crusades saw the fall of Constantinople and major destruction of the Byzantine capitol. This is also considered the last major and recognized Crusade.