Walter Sans-Avoir

Walter Sans-Avoir, also known as Walter the Penniless, was one of the leaders of the People's Crusade, the initial stage of the First Crusade which started in 1096.

A minor lord, the impoverished Walter led a small force from France to Constantinople and was joined by a large army of peasants led by Peter the Hermit. They crossed the Bosphorus and, despite the urgings of Alexius I to wait for the large professional armies gathering in western Europe, promptly engaged the Turks.

Walter led a force, made mostly of Germans, to the castle of Xerigordon, where they were besieged. As the castle lacked an adequate supply of water, the defenders suffered greatly before being overrun and massacred; Walter himself died in the final defense.