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The First Crusade - full documentary

Real Crusades History・62 minutes read

Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade in response to Byzantine Emperor Alexius Komnenos' request for Western military aid against the Seljuk Turks, aiming to assert papal authority and reclaim Jerusalem with spiritual motivations. The Crusade, led by figures like Godfrey of Bouillon and Bowman, achieved significant victories, establishing Crusader states in Antioch and Odessa and paving the way for future Crusades against Muslims in Spain, the Baltic, and the Ottomans.

Insights

Pope Urban II's decision to launch the First Crusade was driven by a desire to aid Eastern Christians against the Seljuk Turks, emphasizing the historical ties between Rome and Constantinople.
The People's Crusade, led by Peter the Hermit, showcased a mix of forces including peasants and knights, embarking on an unauthorized expedition that highlighted the disorganized nature of early Crusader movements.
Bowman of Taranto's strategic brilliance played a crucial role in the success of the Crusaders, from breaking the deadlock at Nicaea to orchestrating the capture of Antioch, showcasing his leadership abilities.
The liberation of Jerusalem during the First Crusade solidified the concept of Crusades in Europe, leading to further conflicts sanctioned by the Church against Muslims in Spain, pagans in the Baltic, and Ottomans, establishing a lasting legacy of Crusading.

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Recent questions

What prompted Pope Urban II to launch the First Crusade?
Historical ties between Rome and Constantinople.
Who led the People's Crusade?
Peter the Hermit.
How did the Crusaders capture Antioch?
Through tactical brilliance and alliances.
Who established the Principality of Antioch?
Baldwin of Bologna.
What was the impact of the First Crusade on Europe?
Spread of the concept of Crusade.

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Summary

00:00

Pope Urban II Launches First Crusade

In March of 1095, Pope Urban II held a council in Piacenza after a tour of France and Italy, where Byzantine Emperor Alexius Komnenos sought Western military aid against the Seljuk Turks threatening Constantinople.
Alexius's daughter Anna Komnena, in her chronicle, does not mention her father's request for aid from the West, possibly to distance him from Latin policy, suggesting the delegation at Piacenza might have been part of ongoing efforts to recruit Latin warriors.
Pope Urban II, a learned and broad-minded individual, had been considering a military expedition to aid Byzantium for years, recognizing historical ties between Rome and Constantinople.
The Council of Piacenza marked a significant moment where Pope Urban II decided to launch the First Crusade, aiming to assert papal authority after the Investiture Controversy.
Pope Urban II's tour of France culminated in the Council of Claremont in November 1095, attended by church leaders from various regions, where he called for a war of liberation to aid Eastern Christians against the Seljuk Turks.
Prior to the Council of Claremont, Pope Urban II met with Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, a key ally in the planned military campaign, and other important clergy and nobility to garner support for the Crusade.
Pope Urban II's speech at the Council of Claremont emphasized the duty of Western knights to aid Eastern Christians and reclaim Jerusalem, highlighting the spiritual motivations behind the Crusade.
Eyewitness accounts by chroniclers like the Gesta Francorum and Fulcher of Chartres underscore the sacrificial and spiritual nature of the Crusade, emphasizing devotion to Christ and aiding suffering Eastern Christians.
Pope Urban II organized the Crusade meticulously, expecting participants to adhere to his instructions and join armies led by great lords like Raymond IV or Godfrey of Bouillon, but some renegade crusaders embarked on unauthorized expeditions.
Peter the Hermit, a charismatic preacher, attracted crowds with his fiery preaching advocating for a Crusade, although not officially endorsed by Pope Urban II, leading to a mix of forces, including peasants and knights, setting out for the East.

15:13

The People's Crusade: Disorganized Journey Eastward

The People's Crusade, led by Peter, was a disorganized group that drifted eastward from France in April 1096, poorly provisioned and short on cash.
Byzantine Emperor Alexis Comnenus supplied provisions to the People's Crusade to prevent pillaging as they crossed into his lands.
Peter met Walter Sans Avoir, another Westerner, in Constantinople, where they were interviewed by Alexis who was impressed by Peter's oratory skills.
Despite Alexis convincing Peter and Walter to await the arrival of the sanctioned Crusader forces, the People's Crusade crossed the Bosporus on August 6, entering Turkish territory without a plan.
Walter fell in battle in Asia Minor, prompting Peter to return to Constantinople for additional aid from Alexis.
The main armies of the First Crusade mobilized between December 1095 and August 1096, following Pope Urban II's directives to unite under Emperor Alexis in Constantinople.
Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lower Lorraine, and his brothers, Baldwin and Eustis III, joined the Crusade, with Baldwin changing careers from the church to knighthood.
Godfrey's army, along with other Crusaders like Bowman of Taranto and Robert II, Count of Flanders, reached Constantinople in early 1097.
Raymond IV, Count of Toulouse, and his army, along with the Northern French led by Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, arrived in Constantinople, impressing Alexis with their loyalty.
The Crusaders besieged Nicaea in May 1097, defeating the Seljuk Turks under Kilij Arslan with a decisive cavalry charge, leading to the surrender of Nicaea to the Byzantines.

29:24

Bowman's Leadership in Crusade Battles

Turkish horsemen attacked the Christian camp, causing chaos and casualties.
Bowman reacted swiftly, ordering his knights to form a shield wall around the camp.
The Turks were forced to come closer to the camp due to the shield wall, leading to a stalemate.
The arrival of the second Crusader army, led by Godfrey and Raymond, broke the deadlock.
Bowman's strategic skills were highlighted during the battle, showcasing his leadership abilities.
Baldwin of Bologna, inspired by Armenian contacts, established a Frankish state in Mesopotamia.
Baldwin's success led to an alliance with Thoros, Armenian lord of Odessa.
Baldwin's rise to power through military prowess and political intrigue was marked by success.
The Crusaders faced challenges besieging Antioch, with food scarcity and desertions becoming issues.
Bowman's tactical brilliance and alliances with key figures played a crucial role in the eventual success of the Crusaders in Antioch.

44:14

"Crusaders reclaim Antioch in daring victory"

Bowman convinced the lords to agree to his plan to retake Antioch, securing the loyalty of the Armenian guard, Feroz.
On June 2nd, a ruse was orchestrated by Bowman to deceive the Turkish garrison, allowing the Christian army to gain control of the city under the cover of darkness on June 3rd.
Bowman's trap at Feroz's tower swiftly granted him control of the tower and the ability to dispatch troops throughout the city, leading to a brutal sack by the Crusaders.
The Crusaders, led by Godfrey Bouillon and Robert of Flanders, rushed into the city after the signal from Bowman's tower, initiating a fierce battle.
The siege of Antioch ended after eight months with the Crusaders capturing the city, except for the citadel held by the last Turkish defenders.
Baldwin of Bologna's capture of Odessa delayed the Turkish forces under Kerbaka, who aimed to besiege Antioch, giving the Crusaders time to establish themselves in the city.
Emperor Alexius Komnenos abandoned his mission to aid the Crusaders at Antioch due to misinformation from Count Stephen, who claimed the Christian army had been destroyed.
Peter Bartholomew's discovery of the Holy Lance beneath St. Peter's Cathedral boosted morale among the Crusaders, convincing them of impending victory against Kerbaka's forces.
Bowman led a daring counter-attack against Kerbaka's vast army, despite being outnumbered and lacking cavalry, with a well-ordered battle plan that proved successful.
The Crusaders, facing fierce attacks from all sides, managed to defeat Kerbaka's forces, leading to the surrender of the Turkish troops in the citadel and securing Antioch in Christian hands.

59:17

Crusaders' Journey to Capture Jerusalem

Adamer was highly respected by both Bowman and Raymond, often mediating between them in the army.
Bowman was focused on establishing the Principality of Antioch, showing no intention of joining the march on Jerusalem.
Raymond urged Bowman to fulfill his vow to participate in capturing Jerusalem, offering to accept Bowman's rule in Antioch in return.
Despite earlier promises, Bowman remained in Antioch, causing impatience among common soldiers eager to march on Jerusalem.
Pressed by the soldiers, Raymond relented and departed Antioch for Jerusalem on January 13, 1099.
The Christian army, led by Raymond, encountered Saracen fortresses along the way, receiving tribute payments and provisions.
The Fatimids, a Shiite empire, offered collaboration against the Turks but did not grasp the Christian army's goal of controlling Jerusalem.
The Crusaders entered Fatimid territory, reaching Jerusalem by June 3, 1099, after passing through various ports.
The Crusaders besieged Jerusalem, facing challenges due to lack of siege machinery and strong fortifications.
After a failed initial assault, the Crusaders received aid from Genoese and English ships, enabling the construction of siege equipment.

01:13:14

"First Crusade Triumph Inspires Future Crusades"

Prince Bohemond and Count Baldwin established the Principality of Antioch and the County of Odessa in December 1099. They later traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Christmas with Godfrey and worship at the Holy Sepulchre. Meanwhile, Robert of Flanders, Robert of Normandy, and Ramon IV of Toulouse returned to Constantinople, where Emperor Alexis I Comnenus welcomed them as heroes, hosting lavish feasts in their honor. Ramon IV later laid the groundwork for the County of Tripoli, the fourth Crusader state, situated between the Principality of Antioch and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The liberation of Jerusalem during the First Crusade spread across Europe, with people celebrating the restoration of the Holy Sepulchre. Returning Crusaders were hailed as heroes, their tales immortalized in songs. This triumph solidified the concept of the Crusade in the minds of Latins as a war sanctioned by the Church for the cause of Christendom. The success of the First Crusade led to the Pope sanctifying wars in Spain against the Moors, extending the Crusade indulgence to soldiers fighting Muslims in Iberia. This victory paved the way for further Crusades, including conflicts with pagans in the Baltic, known as the Northern Crusades, and continued through wars against the Ottomans, showcasing the enduring legacy of the institution of Crusading.

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