Date Event & Description/extra details
1071 Battle of Manzikert.
one of the consequences of Manzikert was a prolonged period of political upheaval in
Constantinople. Alexius had launched his own coup as part of this to come to power and it is
believed that his own political weaknesses prompted him to ask the West for help.
Seljuk WIN.
1081 Alexios Becomes Emperor.
1092 Malik Shah Died.
1095 Alexios call for help.
1095 Council of Claremont.
the timing of Urban’s speech at Clermont is instructive. He was in the middle of a preaching tour
which was designed to assert his growing power now that he had gained control in Rome against the
anti-Pope. He had also waited several months after receiving the Byzantine appeal for help which
suggests an internal motive.
Since 1074 the Papacy had been in conflict with the Holy Roman Emperor in the Investiture Contest.
Successfully launching the First Crusade would enhance Papal claims to superiority.
1095-1096 Peoples Crusade.
Seljuk WIN.
Oct 1096 Crusaders begin to arrive in Constantinople.
Alexios meets all of the princes individually and rewards them with gold and riches. He makes them,
the crusaders included, swear an oath of loyalty.
Spring 1097 Crusaders arrive at their camp in Kibotos.
The Muslim world wasn’t aware of the franks incoming, the Muslims were too disunified and there
was no single voice of unity.
May 1097 Siege of Nicaea.
King Arslan underestimated the crusader army after the people’s crusade. Arslan was out of town, so
the crusaders seized the town with no opposition. The Arslan Army was outnumbered, and the
crusaders catapulted heads towards army. Crusader WIN.
On the First Crusade there are examples of reward being very important (the anger at Alexius at
Nicaea as he prevented the Crusaders from plundering, the arguments between Bohemond and
Raymond over Antioch, Raymond’s behaviour in 1099).
July 1097 The Battle of Dorylaeum.
Arslan Army leader and Seljuk Warlord Arslan launched an attack against the crusaders. Many
crusaders stripped Arlsans camp of materials. Muslim soldiers eventually lost faith in Arslan and
surrendered cities of western Anatolia.
Oct 1097 Crusaders reach Antioch.
The Antiochene people were prepared behind their massive walls. The Crusaders held positions for
months and as a result starved. Alexios had sent very little resources so has to resort to eating dead
dogs, rats etc.
Jan 1098 Bishop Adhemar concluded that the stalemate was due to the crusader’s sinfulness. He ordered all
women to leave. The Crusades hopes were lifted when reinforcements came from England and
Denmark.
Feb 1098 Tatikos and his troops left the siege to try find Alexios and persuade him to send help. They never
returned. The remaining crusaders fought off the relief army. The skill and commitment of the
crusaders were increasing.
March 1098 Baldwin takes over as ruler of Edessa.
April 1098 A larger relief army was on its way, led by Kerbogha and strengthened with alliances of those who
wanted to displace local Seljuk leaders. Kerbogha wanted to expand power in Syria
May 1098 Many crusaders fled due to fears of getting slain by Kerboghas force. The crusaders had to try get
behind the walls of Antioch otherwise they would easily get beaten by the relief force.
June 1098 Siege of Antioch.
1071 Battle of Manzikert.
one of the consequences of Manzikert was a prolonged period of political upheaval in
Constantinople. Alexius had launched his own coup as part of this to come to power and it is
believed that his own political weaknesses prompted him to ask the West for help.
Seljuk WIN.
1081 Alexios Becomes Emperor.
1092 Malik Shah Died.
1095 Alexios call for help.
1095 Council of Claremont.
the timing of Urban’s speech at Clermont is instructive. He was in the middle of a preaching tour
which was designed to assert his growing power now that he had gained control in Rome against the
anti-Pope. He had also waited several months after receiving the Byzantine appeal for help which
suggests an internal motive.
Since 1074 the Papacy had been in conflict with the Holy Roman Emperor in the Investiture Contest.
Successfully launching the First Crusade would enhance Papal claims to superiority.
1095-1096 Peoples Crusade.
Seljuk WIN.
Oct 1096 Crusaders begin to arrive in Constantinople.
Alexios meets all of the princes individually and rewards them with gold and riches. He makes them,
the crusaders included, swear an oath of loyalty.
Spring 1097 Crusaders arrive at their camp in Kibotos.
The Muslim world wasn’t aware of the franks incoming, the Muslims were too disunified and there
was no single voice of unity.
May 1097 Siege of Nicaea.
King Arslan underestimated the crusader army after the people’s crusade. Arslan was out of town, so
the crusaders seized the town with no opposition. The Arslan Army was outnumbered, and the
crusaders catapulted heads towards army. Crusader WIN.
On the First Crusade there are examples of reward being very important (the anger at Alexius at
Nicaea as he prevented the Crusaders from plundering, the arguments between Bohemond and
Raymond over Antioch, Raymond’s behaviour in 1099).
July 1097 The Battle of Dorylaeum.
Arslan Army leader and Seljuk Warlord Arslan launched an attack against the crusaders. Many
crusaders stripped Arlsans camp of materials. Muslim soldiers eventually lost faith in Arslan and
surrendered cities of western Anatolia.
Oct 1097 Crusaders reach Antioch.
The Antiochene people were prepared behind their massive walls. The Crusaders held positions for
months and as a result starved. Alexios had sent very little resources so has to resort to eating dead
dogs, rats etc.
Jan 1098 Bishop Adhemar concluded that the stalemate was due to the crusader’s sinfulness. He ordered all
women to leave. The Crusades hopes were lifted when reinforcements came from England and
Denmark.
Feb 1098 Tatikos and his troops left the siege to try find Alexios and persuade him to send help. They never
returned. The remaining crusaders fought off the relief army. The skill and commitment of the
crusaders were increasing.
March 1098 Baldwin takes over as ruler of Edessa.
April 1098 A larger relief army was on its way, led by Kerbogha and strengthened with alliances of those who
wanted to displace local Seljuk leaders. Kerbogha wanted to expand power in Syria
May 1098 Many crusaders fled due to fears of getting slain by Kerboghas force. The crusaders had to try get
behind the walls of Antioch otherwise they would easily get beaten by the relief force.
June 1098 Siege of Antioch.
