First Crusade

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Definition

The First Crusade (1095-1102) was a military campaign by western European forces to recapture the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. Conceived by Pope Urban II following an appeal from the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos, the Crusade was a success with Christian forces taking control of Jerusalem on 15 July 1099.

More about: First Crusade

Timeline

  • Apr 1081 - Aug 1118
    Reign of Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
  • 1088 - 1099
    Reign of Pope Urban II.
  • 1095 - 1102
    The First Crusade is formed to recapture Jerusalem for Christendom. It is successful in its primary aim.
  • Mar 1095
    Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos appeals to the west for aid against the Seljuks.
  • 27 Nov 1095
    At the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade to form and retake Jerusalem for Christendom.
  • Mar 1096
    The people's army led by Peter the Hermit departs for Constantinople during the First Crusade.
  • 21 Oct 1096
    The 'People's Crusade' is wiped out near Nicaea by a Seljuk army.n
  • 21 Oct 1096
    The "People's Crusade" led by Peter the Hermit is wiped out by a Seljuk army near Nicaea.
  • 1097
    The First Crusaders arrive at Constantinople.
  • 1097
    The First Crusaders capture Nicaea.
  • 1 Jul 1097
    A Crusader army wins a great victory against a Muslim army at Dorylaion.
  • Mar 1098
    Baldwin of Boulogne takes control of Edessa and the County of Edessa is formed, one of four Crusader-created states in the Levant.
  • 3 Jun 1098
    The First Crusaders capture Antioch after an 8-month siege.
  • 28 Jun 1098
    The Crusaders defeat a large Muslim army sent to recapture Antioch.
  • 7 Jun 1099
    The Crusader army arrives at the walls of Jerusalem, the objective of the First Crusade.
  • 17 Jun 1099
    A small fleet of Genoese and English ships arrives at Jaffa bringing essential supplies for siege weapons to the First Crusaders at Jerusalem.
  • 10 Jul 1099
    Siege towers are built by the First Crusaders to better attack Jerusalem.
  • 15 Jul 1099
    Jerusalem is captured during the First Crusade.
  • 10 Aug 1099
    A Muslim army is sent to recapture Jerusalem but is defeated by the Crusaders at the battle of Ascalon.
  • 17 May 1101
    Caesarea is captured by the Crusaders.
  • 26 May 1101
    Acre is captured by the Crusaders.
  • c. 1130
    Albert of Achen's account of the First Crusade, the 'Jerusalem History", is written based on soldiers accounts.
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