KQ3: What Factors Contributed to success of the 1st Crusade

• Allegiance

  loyalty or commitment to someone
• Ambush


  a surprise attack
• Besiege/ siege


  surrounding an army to force it to surrender
• Constantinople


  the capital of the Byzantine Empire
• Inhabitants 


  people who live in a particular place
• Loot


  to steal goods from an enemy
• Pillage/Plunder

  to rob a place using violence
• Provisions


  supplies (e.g food drinks weapon)
• Scorched Earth

  to destroy anything valuable to enemy
• Sultan

  a Muslim leader/King
• The People's Crusade

  • Response to Urban's call.
  • Led by charismatic figure, Peter the Hermit.
• Characteristics

  • Thousands flocked to take up the Cross.
  • Promised emigration and spiritual forgiveness.
  • Possibly twenty thousand participants.
• Failure

  • Greeted by Emperor Alexius at Constantinople.
  • Transported to Turkey, where they pillaged.
  • Ambushed by Turks in October 1096.
  • Slaughter almost complete.
• Impact

  • Bad start to crusading movement.
  • Considered a failure for Christians.
• Key leaders in the First Crusade

  • Adhemar, Bishop of le Puy
  • Raymond, Count of Toulouse
  • Hugh of Vermondois
  • Robert, Count of Flanders
  • Stephen-Henry, Count of Blois
  • Robert, Duke of Normandy
  • Godfrey of Bouillon
  • Baldwin
  • Bohemund
  • Tancred
• Adhemar, Bishop of le Puy:

  • Pope's representative.
  • Organized and unified the Crusade.
• Motives

  • Ranged from religious fervor to desire for redemption and wealth.
• Arrival at Constantinople

  • Not welcomed by Byzantine Emperor Alexius.
  • Persuaded to swear allegiance and begin attacking Turks.
• Siege of Nicaea (1097):

  • Christians besieged Nicea, assisted by Byzantine army.
  • Counter attack by Turks failed.
  • City surrendered on June 18th.
• Division of Crusader Army:

  • French and Norman groups.
  • Intended to meet at Dorylaeum.
• Battle of Dorylaeum:

  • Normans ambushed by Turks.
  • Swift arrival of French force surprised Turks.
  • Turks fled due to fierce counter-attack.
  • Victory boosted morale and captured treasure motivated crusaders.
• Continued Hardships:

  • ‘Scorched earth' policy by Turks led to shortages of food and water.
  • Many deaths due to malnutrition and disease.
• Leadership Conflicts:

  • Argumentative relationship between leaders.
  • Aimed to establish themselves in lands at expense of rivals.
• Baldwin’s Establishment

  • Baldwin swung northeast and established himself in Edessa.
• Arrival at Antioch (1097):

  • Reached Antioch in October.
  • Well provisioned city.
  • Suffered winter conditions during siege.
• Siege of Antioch

  • Relief Turkish army under Kerbogha of Mosul on the way.
  • Christian sympathizers enabled crusaders to gain access.
  • Massacre of Turkish inhabitants.
• Turn of Events:

  • Turkish relief force arrived, besieging crusaders.
  • Emperor Alexius failed to send relief provisions or aid as he thought they were dead
  • Internal fighting among enemies helped crusaders as Kerbogha’s force was a mixed of different muslim groups( Seljuks and Fatimids of Egypt)
• Miracle of the Holy Lance

  • Supposed findings boosted morale.
  • Gave hope that God was on their side
• Engagement with Muslim Army:

  • Crusaders sought to engage Muslim army on June 28th, 1098.
  • Kerbogha's force withdrew.
  • Clear path to Jerusalem.
• Siege of Jerusalem (1099):

  • Christian army reached Jerusalem in June.
  • Lacked men and supplies for siege.
  • Decided on assault due to arrival of fleet of crusaders.
  • Siege towers constructed.
• Assault on Jerusalem:

  • Main assault began on July 13th.
  • Fierce fighting for two days.
  • Godfrey of Bouillon breached defenses.
  • Defenders surrendered, promised ransom.
• Massacre of Inhabitants:

  • Ferocious battle led to almost complete massacre.
• Outcome

  • Crusaders held ceremony in Church of Holy Sepulchre.
  • Godfrey of Bouillon chosen as ruler of Jerusalem.
  • Astounding success given conditions faced.
• Challenges of Governance:

  • Problems of governing and defending conquered lands.
  • Many crusaders sought to return home.
• Inspiration and Rift:

  • Inspired Christians in Europe to fight infidels.
  • First Crusade created rift between Christianity and Islam.