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May 3, 1096
First Crusade
The crusaders first gathered in Constantinople in fall 1096. They besieged Nicaea while Kilij Arslan was away (the city surrendered to Alexius), and later defeated an army commanded by Kilij Arslan at Dorlyaeum -
Nov 27, 1097
1095 November 27
On November 27, 1095, Pope Urban II makes perhaps the most influential speech of the Middle Ages, giving rise to the Crusades by calling all Christians in Europe to war against Muslims in order to reclaim the Holy Land, with a cry of “Deus vult!” or “God wills it! -
Dec 31, 1099
First cursade ended
The Christian armies defended their conquest in August 1099 by defeating an Egyptian relief army. Pope Urban II died on July 29, 1099, without hearing the news. -
Jan 1, 1144
Second Crusade
Crusaders prepared to attack Damascus. 2nd crusade led by Holy Roman Emperor Conrad III and by King Louis VII of France -
Dec 1, 1145
Pope Eugenius calls for the 2nd Crusad
In the Bull Quantum Predecessors, Pope Eugene III proclaims the Second Crusade in an effort to retake territory once again coming under the control of Muslim forces. -
Mar 18, 1187
Saladin wins the battle of Hattin
Saladin wins the battle of Hattin and took most of the Byzantine Empire, this is also known as the fall of Jerusalem.This is Saladi's greatest victory yet -
Aug 31, 1187
Second crusade ended
Saladin invaded the Frankish territory in 1187 and in July of that year defeated the combined armies of the crusader states at the Battle of Hattin. The destruction of the army left the territories vulnerable and Saladin was able to retake Jerusalem and most of the territory of the Crusaders, leaving only Tyre, Tripoli and Antioch -
Third Crusade
To these qualities he added a kindliness and humanity not surpassed, if equaled, by any of his Christian foes. Third Crusade was caused by the capture of Jerusalem in 1187 by Saladin, the sultan of Egypt. -
Third Crusade ended
Although the main goal of the crusades, to free Jerusalem, was not reached and only the first and third crusades where actually successful the crusades help end the age of feudalism. The crusaders brought back valuably goods that the English had never seen before such as salt and silk.