The First Crusade

By njalagha
  • Dec 24, 1085

    The Crusades

    The Crusades
    The first Crusade was the start of many, which began as a war between the Christians and the Muslims. These events took place in Holy places of Palestine and Jerusalem, a significant and Holy place for Christians. 3000 Christians were massacred in Jerusalem by the Muslims in the year of 1085, and the Churches were mostly destroyed. This horrific attack aggravated the Christians to join the fight in the First Crusade.
  • Nov 18, 1095

    The First Crusade begins

    The First Crusade begins
    In November 1095, the first Crusade was about to commence. Emperor Alexius the First sent an embassy to Pope Urban II regarding the atrocities in Jerusalem and the growing threat of the Turkish people in Europe. Pope Urban II opens the Council of Clermont and later in the year calls for a Crusade in a famous speech. The effectiveness of his words left the crowd chanting 'God's wills it'. Bishop of Le Puy, is chosen by Pope Urban II as the leader for the First Crusade. The goal is set.
  • Apr 3, 1096

    Slaughtering Begins

    Slaughtering Begins
    The First Crusade is finally carried out in a major effort to aid the Christians against the Muslim invaders. The first set of crusade armies arrive in Constantinople. Jews were slaughtered by the Crusades that were moving through the Rhine Valley on there way to the Holy land. This was considered the first major slaughtering of a Jewish community. The Jewish people in Germany heard about what had happened, they tried to hide but were unsuccessful.
  • May 30, 1096

    Rampaging Crusades

    Rampaging Crusades
    The Bishop in Mainz, Germany attempts to hide over 1,000 people in his cells, however the Crusades were aware of this and ready to invade. Majority of Men, Women and children were slaughtered by the First Crusade. The local people tried to protect the Jews by hiding them in nearby houses, however once again the Crusades were able to eventually find and slaughter them in what seemed to be an outrage. Although Peter the leader is victorious and moves on, about a quarter of his forces are lost.
  • Aug 1, 1096

    40,000 soldiers

    40,000 soldiers
    The Crusades who are under the leadership of Peter, reach Sofia in Hungary. Godfrey De Bouillon sets of to join the First Crusade with an army consisting of at least 40,000 soldiers
  • Sep 10, 1096

    Surrender

    Surrender
    A group from the Peasants' Crusade is surrounded at Xerigordon and forced to surrender. The Crusades are the given two choices, to convert or beheading. The Crusades who chose to convert were then put into slavery and treated poorly, they were never heard from again.
  • Dec 15, 1096

    Excommunication

    Excommunication
    The last Crusader army arrives at Constantinople, with around 50,000 knights and 500,000 footmen. During this time Pope Urban II has Phillip I, William II and Henry IV under excommunication.
  • Feb 8, 1098

    Continuous

    Continuous
    Between 1097 and 1098, the First Crusade battle was filled with deaths and injuries. The battle kept on going, with many more knights and armies. The Christians held a firm lead, defeating the strong Muslim army of 75,000 with only 15,000 unequipped men. It was a tough battle to recapture the city. In August 1098 Bishop of Le Puy and leader of the First Crusade, dies during an epidemic. The Crusades kept fighting on and later that year, they captured the city of M'arrat-an-Numan east of Antioch.
  • Jun 16, 1099

    The Offer

    The Offer
    The Crusaders reach the gates of Jerusalem. The Crusades were aiming to take out the Turks and reclaim Jerusalem, however the Fatimids had already expelled the Turks in 1098. Then came the agreement. The Fatimids offered the Crusades a peace agreement including protection of Christian pilgrims and worshippers in the city. However the Crusades turn down the offer as they are only looking for full control of the city and nothing short of it.
  • Jul 13, 1099

    Final Attack ?

    Final Attack ?
    On the 13th of July in 1099, the armies of the First Crusade, launched a final attack on the Muslims in Jerusalem. The Crusades breached the walls at two points and estimates place the number of casualties as high as 100,000. Crusades then ordered the Jews nearby to a local Synagogue, they then set it on fire.
  • Jul 22, 1099

    New King

    New King
    Raymond IV of Toulouse is offered King of Jerusalem, however he leaves the region turning down the prestige offer. Godfrey De Bouillon is then offered the same title, also declining. Instead, Godfrey decided to name Advocatus Sancti Seplchri the first Latin King of Jersalem.
  • Jul 29, 1099

    Pope Urban II dies.

    Pope Urban II dies.
    Pope Urban II dies. He is well known for starting the First Crusade against the Muslims in the Middle East. Unfortunately, Urban died not knowing the success in the Jerusalem overtake.
  • Feb 6, 1100

    The End

    The End
    The First Crusades have successfully defended Jerusalem, sending the Egyptians off who tried to claim Jerusalem. This was the final battle for the mighty successful Crusades. The ruling Muslims niw have their power severely weakened because of the struggles among Islamic leaders and the Christian Crusades proving to be extremely dominant over this period of time.