First Crusade - Revision history

Nyckname: /* Preaching the Crusade */

2009-08-21T23:32:04Z

Preaching the Crusade

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:32, 22 August 2009
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	On 27 November, 1095, in response to a plea from [[Byzantine]] Emperor [[Alexius I]], [[Pope]] [[Urban II]] made a public speech in the cathedral of [[Clermont]], urging all [[Christian]]s to reinforce the Byzantines and reclaim the [[Holy Land]] from the [[Muslim]]s. This notion of a [[crusade]], a huge "armed [[pilgrimage]]" to the lands where [[Christ]] has lived was without precedent in Europe, and his request succeeded beyond his wildest dreams; soon huge armies were being amassed to make the long journey to [[Constantinople]] and beyond, to [[Jerusalem]].		On 27 November, 1095, in response to a plea from [[Byzantine]] Emperor [[Alexius I]], [[Pope]] [[Urban II]] made a public speech in the cathedral of [[Clermont]], urging all [[Christian]]s to reinforce the Byzantines and reclaim the [[Holy Land]] from the [[Muslim]]s. This notion of a [[crusade]], a huge "armed [[pilgrimage]]" to the lands where [[Christ]] has lived was without precedent in Europe, and his request succeeded beyond his wildest dreams; soon huge armies were being amassed to make the long journey to [[Constantinople]] and beyond, to [[Jerusalem]].

	The first nobleman to lead an army from Europe was [[Walter Sans-Avoir]] ("Walter the Penniless"), who ~~took a~~ led a small force to Byzantium without major incident and awaited the remainder of the armies.		The first nobleman to lead an army from Europe was [[Walter Sans-Avoir]] ("Walter the Penniless"), who led a small force to Byzantium without major incident and awaited the remainder of the armies.

	== The People's Crusade ==		== The People's Crusade ==

Paul Matisz: /* Jerusalem */

2008-07-23T15:12:50Z

Jerusalem

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:12, 24 July 2008
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	== Jerusalem ==		== Jerusalem ==
	After abandoning Maarat an-Numan, the Frankish army crossed to the coast, taking the port of [[Tortosa]] by trickery, unsuccessfully besieging the town of [[Arqa]], and establishing a [[Roman Catholic\|Catholic]] bishopric at [[Ramleh]] in defiance of [[Alexius I\|Alexius]]'s [[Orthodox]] church. After this, [[Tancred]] led a small force to [[Bethlehem]] to liberate the inhabitants, a large morale boost for the Franks.		After abandoning Maarat an-Numan, the Frankish army crossed to the coast, taking the port of [[Tortosa]] by trickery, unsuccessfully besieging the town of [[Arqa]], and establishing a [[Roman Catholic\|Catholic]] bishopric at [[Ramleh]] in defiance of [[Alexius I\|Alexius]]' [[Orthodox]] church. After this, [[Tancred]] led a small force to [[Bethlehem]] to liberate the inhabitants, a large morale boost for the Franks.

	On 7 June 1099 the Crusade reached Jerusalem, held by [[Egypt]]ian and [[Sudan]]ese troops under the command of [[Iftikhar ad-Daula]], who seized the property of all Christians within the walls and expelled them, in the hopes of burdening the besiegers. The Franks surrounded the city but knew they could not afford a long siege, as desertions were on the rise and infighting between the nobles was increasing. Faltering morale was boosted by a fast and barefoot procession around the city walls on 8 July. The next day the Franks brought up hastily-constructed siege engines, causing alarm within the city. During the night of 13 July, the engines were brought close to the walls under cover of darkness and the battle was joined in earnest.		On 7 June 1099 the Crusade reached Jerusalem, held by [[Egypt]]ian and [[Sudan]]ese troops under the command of [[Iftikhar ad-Daula]], who seized the property of all Christians within the walls and expelled them, in the hopes of burdening the besiegers. The Franks surrounded the city but knew they could not afford a long siege, as desertions were on the rise and infighting between the nobles was increasing. Faltering morale was boosted by a [[fast]] and barefoot procession around the city walls on 8 July. The next day the Franks brought up hastily-constructed siege engines, causing alarm within the city. During the night of 13 July, the engines were brought close to the walls under cover of darkness and the battle was joined in earnest.

	By 15 July a siege tower under [[Godfrey of Bouillon\|Godfrey]] had reached the walls and a footholds had been secured within the city. Godfrey hastily sent men through the streets to seize and open the gates, while [[Tancred]] attacked and pillaged the Dome of the Rock, an act of great sacrilege to [[Muslim]]s. A large number of Muslims fled to the [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and Tancred seized them for ransom, but was unable to stop his fellow crusaders from massacring them in the mosque itself.		By 15 July a siege tower under [[Godfrey of Bouillon\|Godfrey]] had reached the walls and a footholds had been secured within the city. Godfrey hastily sent men through the streets to seize and open the gates, while [[Tancred]] attacked and pillaged the Dome of the Rock, an act of great sacrilege to [[Muslim]]s. A large number of Muslims fled to the [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and Tancred seized them for ransom, but was unable to stop his fellow crusaders from massacring them in the mosque itself.

	As the defenses crumbled in panic, the Franks poured into the city and began an appalling slaughter. Three years of deprivation and hardship was transmuted into the massacre of the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem with little regard for the niceties of [[ransom]] and [[chivalry]]. In the initial rush, everyone the Franks met, man, woman or child, was put to the sword without mercy. [[Fulcher of Chartres]] claimed that in the al-Aqsa Mosque some ten thousand people were beheaded (despite Tancred's efforts to protect his valuable hostages) and the blood ran ankle-deep within the sanctuary. Many of the city's [[Jew]]s, seeking shelter in the synagogue, were sealed in and burned alive when the building was [[fire]]d.		As the defenses crumbled in panic, the Franks poured into the city and began an appalling slaughter. Three years of deprivation and hardship was transmuted into the massacre of the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem with little regard for the niceties of [[ransom]] and [[chivalry]]. In the initial rush, everyone the Franks met, man, woman or child, was put to the sword without mercy. [[Fulcher of Chartres]] claimed that in the al-Aqsa Mosque some ten thousand people were beheaded (despite Tancred's efforts to protect his valuable hostages) and the blood ran ankle-deep within the sanctuary. Many of the city's [[Jew]]s, seeking shelter in the [[synagogue]], were sealed in and burned alive when the building was [[fire]]d.

	After the massacre, the [[Gesta Francorum]] records that the streets were filled with dead, and the Frankish leaders commanded the corpses be dragged out of the city and cremated on "pyres like pyramids", and in this fashion "countless pagans" were burnt.		After the massacre, the [[Gesta Francorum]] records that the streets were filled with dead, and the Frankish leaders commanded the corpses be dragged out of the city and cremated on "pyres like pyramids", and in this fashion "countless pagans" were burnt.

Paul Matisz: /* Tarsus and Armenia */

2008-07-23T15:01:17Z

Tarsus and Armenia

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:01, 24 July 2008
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	While this was occurring to the south of them, the main Frankish force entered the Christian land of Armenia. Long under threat by the Turks, the Armenians now welcomed the Franks as liberators, and they hoped for a quick and well-supplied passage to the Holy Land. However, as the army crossed the Anti-Taurus Mountains into [[Cilicia]] they were struck by torrential rains which made travel a nightmare. By the time they reached [[Marash]] it was badly battered army which wearily crossed the plains into the Levant, making for [[Antioch]].		While this was occurring to the south of them, the main Frankish force entered the Christian land of Armenia. Long under threat by the Turks, the Armenians now welcomed the Franks as liberators, and they hoped for a quick and well-supplied passage to the Holy Land. However, as the army crossed the Anti-Taurus Mountains into [[Cilicia]] they were struck by torrential rains which made travel a nightmare. By the time they reached [[Marash]] it was badly battered army which wearily crossed the plains into the Levant, making for [[Antioch]].

	Meanwhile, following his disputes with Tancred, [[Baldwin I\|Baldwin]] made alliance with the Armenian ruler [[Thoros of Edessa]]. Baldwin had managed to get himself named Thoros' son and [[heir]], and quickly became co-regent of [[Edessa]]. By March of 1098 he became sole ruler of the city when Thoros was killed by a mob. Edessa was then besieged by Kerbogha, Atabeg of Mosul, who could not quickly seize the city. Rather than spend months in a siege, Kerbogha marched on Antioch, trying --unsuccessfully -- to reinforce the city before the Franks under Bohemund breached the walls.		Meanwhile, following his disputes with Tancred, [[Baldwin I\|Baldwin]] made alliance with the Armenian ruler [[Thoros of Edessa]]. Baldwin had managed to get himself named Thoros' son and [[heir]], and quickly became co-regent of [[Edessa]]. By March of 1098 he became sole ruler of the city when Thoros was killed by a mob. Edessa was then besieged by [[Kerbogha]], [[Atabeg]] of [[Mosul]], who could not quickly seize the city. Rather than spend months in a siege, Kerbogha marched on Antioch, trying --unsuccessfully -- to reinforce the city before the Franks under Bohemund breached the walls.

	== Antioch ==		== Antioch ==

Paul Matisz: /* Bohemund */

2008-07-23T14:57:52Z

Bohemund

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:57, 24 July 2008
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	===Bohemund===		===Bohemund===
	[[Bohemund of Taranto]], a [[Norman]] lord, left from his Italian holdings in late 1096, quite literally forsaking his local struggles for the glory of the crusade; in order to gather his forces he abandoned the siege of [[Amalfi]] midway. Despite his reputation as a ruthless disciplinarian (or, perhaps, because of it) his army traveled overland to Constantinople with little incident. However, Bohemund ~~has~~ ambitions to lead the entire Crusade, not merely his own army and this quickly brought him into conflict with other Frank leaders. In addition, he ~~has~~ his own never-abandoned claim on the throne of Byzantium to cause tension with Alexius. Regardless, he swore allegiance (unlike his nephew [[Tancred]]) and crossed the Bosphorus, joining the other Crusader lords there.		[[Bohemund of Taranto]], a [[Norman]] lord, left from his Italian holdings in late 1096, quite literally forsaking his local struggles for the glory of the crusade; in order to gather his forces he abandoned the siege of [[Amalfi]] midway. Despite his reputation as a ruthless disciplinarian (or, perhaps, because of it) his army traveled overland to Constantinople with little incident. However, Bohemund had ambitions to lead the entire Crusade, not merely his own army and this quickly brought him into conflict with other Frank leaders. In addition, he had his own never-abandoned claim on the throne of Byzantium to cause tension with Alexius. Regardless, he swore allegiance (unlike his nephew [[Tancred]]) and crossed the Bosphorus, joining the other Crusader lords there.

	===Raymond===		===Raymond===

Paul Matisz at 00:21, 23 July 2008

2008-07-23T00:21:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:21, 23 July 2008
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	The '''First Crusade''' was an armed expedition under religious authority by various western European [[Christian]] lords against the [[Muslim]]-controlled [[Holy Land]]. Consisting of two distinct stages, the [[First_Crusade#The_Peasants.27_Crusade\|~~People~~'s Crusade]] and the Frankish Crusade, it lasted from 1096 - 1099 CE and resulted in the foundation of the [[Crusader States]], most significantly the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]].		The '''First Crusade''' was an armed expedition under religious authority by various western European [[Christian]] lords against the [[Muslim]]-controlled [[Holy Land]]. Consisting of two distinct stages, the [[First_Crusade#The_Peasants.27_Crusade\|Peasants' Crusade]] and the Frankish Crusade, it lasted from 1096 - 1099 CE and resulted in the foundation of the [[Crusader States]], most significantly the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]].

Paul Matisz at 00:19, 23 July 2008

2008-07-23T00:19:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:19, 23 July 2008
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	The '''First Crusade''' was an armed expedition under religious authority by various western European [[Christian]] lords against the [[Muslim]]-controlled [[Holy Land]]. It lasted from 1096 - 1099 CE and resulted in the foundation of the [[Crusader States]], most significantly the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]].		The '''First Crusade''' was an armed expedition under religious authority by various western European [[Christian]] lords against the [[Muslim]]-controlled [[Holy Land]]. Consisting of two distinct stages, the [[First_Crusade#The_Peasants.27_Crusade\|People's Crusade]] and the Frankish Crusade, it lasted from 1096 - 1099 CE and resulted in the foundation of the [[Crusader States]], most significantly the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]].


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	The first nobleman to lead an army from Europe was [[Walter Sans-Avoir]] ("Walter the Penniless"), who took a led a small force to Byzantium without major incident and awaited the remainder of the armies.		The first nobleman to lead an army from Europe was [[Walter Sans-Avoir]] ("Walter the Penniless"), who took a led a small force to Byzantium without major incident and awaited the remainder of the armies.

	== The ~~Peasants~~' Crusade ==		== The People's Crusade ==
	The second of the armies to set off was not an "army" at all, but a rag-tag force of commoners, including old women and children, led by the charismatic preacher [[Peter the Hermit]]. This '''Peasants' Crusade''' (also called the '''People's Crusade''' or '''Pauper's Crusade''') did great damage to the [[Hungary\|Hungarian]] countryside, cumulating in a massacre at the town of [[Semlin]] earning the enmity of King [[Coloman]]. Fearing his retribution, they entered the Byzantine empire and promptly [[fire]]d the city of [[Belgrade]].		The second of the armies to set off was not an "army" at all, but a rag-tag force of commoners, including old women and children, led by the charismatic preacher [[Peter the Hermit]]. This '''Peasants' Crusade''' (also called the '''People's Crusade''' or '''Pauper's Crusade''') did great damage to the [[Hungary\|Hungarian]] countryside, cumulating in a massacre at the town of [[Semlin]] earning the enmity of King [[Coloman]]. Fearing his retribution, they entered the Byzantine empire and promptly [[fire]]d the city of [[Belgrade]].

Paul Matisz: /* Jerusalem */

2008-07-20T19:16:13Z

Jerusalem

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:16, 21 July 2008
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	By 15 July a siege tower under [[Godfrey of Bouillon\|Godfrey]] had reached the walls and a footholds had been secured within the city. Godfrey hastily sent men through the streets to seize and open the gates, while [[Tancred]] attacked and pillaged the Dome of the Rock, an act of great sacrilege to [[Muslim]]s. A large number of Muslims fled to the [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and Tancred seized them for ransom, but was unable to stop his fellow crusaders from massacring them in the mosque itself.		By 15 July a siege tower under [[Godfrey of Bouillon\|Godfrey]] had reached the walls and a footholds had been secured within the city. Godfrey hastily sent men through the streets to seize and open the gates, while [[Tancred]] attacked and pillaged the Dome of the Rock, an act of great sacrilege to [[Muslim]]s. A large number of Muslims fled to the [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and Tancred seized them for ransom, but was unable to stop his fellow crusaders from massacring them in the mosque itself.

	As the defenses crumbled in panic, the Franks poured into the city and began an appalling slaughter. Three years of deprivation and hardship was transmuted into the massacre of the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem with little regard for the niceties of [[ransom]] and [[chivalry]]. In the initial rush, everyone the Franks met, man, woman or child, was put to the sword without mercy. [[Fulcher of Chartres]] claimed that the al-Aqsa Mosque some ten thousand people were beheaded and the blood ran ankle-deep within the sanctuary. Many of the city's [[Jew]]s, seeking shelter in the synagogue, were sealed in and burned alive when the building was [[fire]]d.		As the defenses crumbled in panic, the Franks poured into the city and began an appalling slaughter. Three years of deprivation and hardship was transmuted into the massacre of the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem with little regard for the niceties of [[ransom]] and [[chivalry]]. In the initial rush, everyone the Franks met, man, woman or child, was put to the sword without mercy. [[Fulcher of Chartres]] claimed that in the al-Aqsa Mosque some ten thousand people were beheaded (despite Tancred's efforts to protect his valuable hostages) and the blood ran ankle-deep within the sanctuary. Many of the city's [[Jew]]s, seeking shelter in the synagogue, were sealed in and burned alive when the building was [[fire]]d.

	After the massacre, the [[Gesta Francorum]] records that the streets were filled with dead, and the Frankish leaders commanded the corpses be dragged out of the city and cremated on "pyres like pyramids", and in this fashion "countless pagans" were burnt.		After the massacre, the [[Gesta Francorum]] records that the streets were filled with dead, and the Frankish leaders commanded the corpses be dragged out of the city and cremated on "pyres like pyramids", and in this fashion "countless pagans" were burnt.

Paul Matisz: /* Aftermath */

2008-07-20T18:07:44Z

Aftermath

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:07, 21 July 2008
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	Likewise, many of the Crusader lords were planning on returning to Europe, and the rulership of Jerusalem was in debate. Raymond, whose popularity had waned after the debacle with Bohemund, was not a serious candidate, and Bohemund already held [[Antioch]]. Eventually the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem\|throne of Jerusalem]] was offered to [[Godfrey of Bouillon\|Godfrey]], who accepted it but declined the title of King, claiming the more pious title ''Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri'' -- "Defender of the [[Holy Sepulcher]]" -- a move which enraged Raymond, who withdrew to [[Jericho]] in anger, although he would later be instrumental in driving off an [[Egypt]]ian counter-invasion.		Likewise, many of the Crusader lords were planning on returning to Europe, and the rulership of Jerusalem was in debate. Raymond, whose popularity had waned after the debacle with Bohemund, was not a serious candidate, and Bohemund already held [[Antioch]]. Eventually the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem\|throne of Jerusalem]] was offered to [[Godfrey of Bouillon\|Godfrey]], who accepted it but declined the title of King, claiming the more pious title ''Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri'' -- "Defender of the [[Holy Sepulcher]]" -- a move which enraged Raymond, who withdrew to [[Jericho]] in anger, although he would later be instrumental in driving off an [[Egypt]]ian counter-invasion.

	The divisions between the Crusaders would result in an extremely complex series of alliances and [[fealty\|fealties]], the basis of which would become the [[Crusader States]]. In addition, two great orders of [[monk\|monastic]] knighthood were formed to protect [[pilgrim]]s and to guarantee Christian access to the Holy Land -- the Knights [[Templar]] and the Knights [[Hospitaller]]. Over the next few centuries, [[Muslim]] attempts to drive the Franks out of what would become known as [[Outremer]] would result in several more Crusades.		The divisions between the Crusaders would result in an extremely complex series of alliances and [[fealty\|fealties]], the basis of which would become the [[Crusader States]]. In addition, two great orders of [[monk\|monastic]] knighthood were formed to protect [[pilgrim]]s and to guarantee Christian access to the Holy Land -- the Knights [[Templar]] and the Knights [[Hospitaller]]. Over the next few centuries, [[Muslim]] attempts to drive the Franks out of what would become known as [[Outremer]] would result in several more Crusades, the first of these being the [[Crusade of the Faint-Hearted\|Crusade of 1102]], a minor reinforcement sometimes called the "Crusade of the Faint-Hearted", as it was led by several nobles of the First Crusade who had turned back before reaching Jerusalem, such as [[Stephen of Blois]].

Paul Matisz: /* Robert */

2008-07-17T21:55:09Z

Robert

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 18 July 2008
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	===Robert===		===Robert===
	A final army arrived under [[Robert of Normandy]], eldest son of [[William the Conqueror]]. Nominally in command, he led a cobbled-together force with [[Stephen of Blois]] and [[Robert of Flanders]], whose opinions he was required to consult before making decisions. This a state of affairs was further complicated by the presence of most of the notoriously independent nobility of [[Normandy]], including his domineering sister [[Adela]] (wife of Stephen of Blois), and Bishop [[Odo of Bayeux]], as well as [[knight]]s from [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Brittany]].		A final army arrived under [[Robert of Normandy]], eldest son of [[William the Conqueror]]. Nominally in command, he led a cobbled-together force with [[Stephen of Blois]] and [[Robert of Flanders]], whose opinions he was required to consult before making decisions. This state of affairs was further complicated by the presence of most of the notoriously independent nobility of [[Normandy]], including his domineering sister [[Adela]] (wife of Stephen of Blois), and Bishop [[Odo of Bayeux]], as well as [[knight]]s from [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Brittany]].

	This large and fractious force made its way to [[Italy]] where it received the personal blessing of Pope Urban, then took ship to Constantinople, where, after some persuasion, Alexius extracted oaths of allegiance and shipped their force to the southern shores of the Bosphorus to join the force of some 70,000 assembled Crusaders in April of 1097.		This large and fractious force made its way to [[Italy]] where it received the personal blessing of Pope Urban, then took ship to Constantinople, where, after some persuasion, Alexius extracted oaths of allegiance and shipped their force to the southern shores of the Bosphorus to join the force of some 70,000 assembled Crusaders in April of 1097.



	== Asia Minor ==		== Asia Minor ==

Paul Matisz: /* Raymond */

2008-07-17T21:44:31Z

Raymond

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 18 July 2008
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	[[Raymond of Toulouse]], while being the first lord of substance to take up the Frank's [[badge]] of the red [[cross]], was also the last southern [[French]] lord to arrive in Constantinople. His army, unlike the relatively disciplined forces who had preceded him that year, had quite literally fought their way across the [[Baltic\|Balkans]], engaging in a long and bloody conflict with the [[Serb]]ian tribes of that region. Worn and battered, they straggled into Byzantine territory with only a handful of their commanders surviving.		[[Raymond of Toulouse]], while being the first lord of substance to take up the Frank's [[badge]] of the red [[cross]], was also the last southern [[French]] lord to arrive in Constantinople. His army, unlike the relatively disciplined forces who had preceded him that year, had quite literally fought their way across the [[Baltic\|Balkans]], engaging in a long and bloody conflict with the [[Serb]]ian tribes of that region. Worn and battered, they straggled into Byzantine territory with only a handful of their commanders surviving.

	Without the moderating influence of Bishop [[Adhemar of Le Puy]], wounded and recuperating in [[Thessalonica]], Raymond's army was restless and unguided. When Raymond and his officers hurried ahead to meet Alexius, his undisciplined troops took to raiding the surrounding Byzantine countryside out of boredom. A Byzantine counterattack seized their baggage train and cut of their supplies.		Without the moderating influence of Bishop [[Adhemar of Le Puy]], wounded and recuperating in [[Thessalonica]], Raymond's army was restless and unguided. When Raymond and his officers hurried ahead to meet Alexius, his undisciplined troops took to raiding the surrounding Byzantine countryside out of boredom. A Byzantine counterattack seized their baggage train and cut off their supplies.

	In Constantinople Alexius fared little better with Raymond. Like earlier arrivals, he balked at the required oath of allegiance; this situation was complicated by Raymond's distrust of Bohemund, who was intriguing for command of the crusade. An impasse was quickly reached which could only be smoothed by the still-recovering Bishop Adhemar, who hastened to Constantinople to break the deadlock.		In Constantinople Alexius fared little better with Raymond. Like earlier arrivals, he balked at the required oath of allegiance; this situation was complicated by Raymond's distrust of Bohemund, who was intriguing for command of the crusade. An impasse was quickly reached which could only be smoothed by the still-recovering Bishop Adhemar, who hastened to Constantinople to break the deadlock.