Clik here to view.
Walter Sans Avoir Parts From Peter the Hermit
Peter realized that, in order to keep his army well fed, they had to keep moving. There were very few districts in Europe that had a surplus of food to feed such a large group of pilgrims. But the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Massacre in Semlin
Peter the Hermit departed Cologne with his following on around 20 April. He had a much larger following than Walter’s and it grew bigger as he passed through villages that lay along the Danube River....
View ArticleClik here to view.
God Wills It! God Wills It Not!
Adele heard the sound of a trumpet from across the camp. Confused and frightened, she squinted her eyes so that she could better see and understand why they would attack the Hungarian people–fellow...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Master Traders Thrown Into the Depths of Despair: The European Jews at the...
The Jews in the late eleventh century were never good warriors because they never immersed themselves, nor their sons, in the art of warfare. They were master traders and financial gurus, eager to work...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Demise of the Rhineland Jews
The Jews of the Rhineland greatly feared that the crusading movement would lead to their demise, so they sought protection against persecution. They wrote to the German Emperor, Henry IV, imploring him...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Arrival of Peter the Hermit in Constantinople
Peter the Hermit riding on his donkey; followed by a great many peasants, knights and laymen, women and children included. While a contingent of pilgrims under the command of Emich and Gottschalk...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Peter the Hermit’s Crusade Meets its Fate
Once they set foot on the other side of the Boshporus, the motley crew marched with Peter the Hermit south to Nicomedia, an abandoned Byzantine camp, plundering and pillaging every village in their...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Prominent Figures of the First Crusade
While Peter the Hermit and his followers plundered and pillaged their way through Europe in the first half of the year 1096, the great lords of Europe were taking the extra time to prepare for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Crusades and Crusaders is Moving!
Just to put your mind at ease, Crusades and Crusaders is not moving to an entirely different platform. It will still be hosted on a WordPress platform and it should look the same as it does now, but...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Crusades and Crusaders has moved!
Please find us at our new home at crusadesandcrusaders.com. We look forward to your visit!
View ArticleAlexius and Godfrey of Bouillon
The first army to arrive in Constantinople was that commanded by Godfrey of Bouillon: they arrived on the shores of Constantinople in December 1097, just weeks before Christmas. Alexius I Comnenus was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Image: Alexius I Comnenus and Godfrey of Bouillon
Godfrey of Bouillon and his leading nobles at the imperial court, offering their allegiance to Emperor Alexius I Comnenus. Godfrey knew the emperor would not lead the Crusade, but recognized him as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Alexius and Bohemond of Taranto
In the following months, the other Latin armies arrived in Constantinople. However, they did not all arrive at the same time and not all of the princes swore the oath put forth by Emperor Alexius...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The March to Nicaea
Photo Credit: QuartierLatin1968Left gate to Nicaea. Alexius’s first goal was to recapture Nicaea (now Iznik), a city that lay on the shores of Lake Askania, southeast of Constantinople. The Seljuk...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Crusaders Besiege Nicaea
When Kilij Arslan learnt that the crusaders had besieged Nicaea, he was caught off guard. He hastened back to his army, then marched on Nicaea with the intention to launch a surprise attack on the...
View ArticleNicaea Surrenders to Alexius I Comnenus
As June wore on, the early summer heat bore down upon the crusaders, making their war against the Turkish garrison at Nicaea even more unbearable than it already was. But they were not all alone. All...
View ArticleThe Battle of Dorylaeum
After their first victory at Nicaea, the crusading armies prepared for the tedious march south, deeper into the heart of Asia Minor. Even though the emperor Alexius would no longer direct them as...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Baldwin and Tancred Depart for Cilicia
Photo Credit: Armenianmeds.gif Although this map (above) shows what the Kingdom of Cilicia looked like from 1199 – 1375, this map is meant to show what the landscape — minus the political boundaries...
View ArticleBaldwin of Boulogne vs. Tancred of Hauteville
Tancred of Hauteville marched on Tarsus, a key city in Cilicia that was held by a Turkish garrison. Tancred laid siege to Tarsus, but the Turkish garrison held out until Baldwin of Boulogne arrived...
View ArticleThoros of Edessa Appealed to Baldwin for Military Aid
In the middle of October 1097, Baldwin of Boulogne, with a small force, journeyed towards to Armenia, while the rest of the crusading army ambled on south towards Antioch. Bagrat was still with him,...
View Article