First Crusade

The First Crusade (1096-1099 CE) was a military expedition initiated by Pope Urban II to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy sites in the Middle East from Muslim control. Motivated by religious fervor, the promise of absolution of sins, and the opportunity for wealth and land, thousands of European knights and peasants embarked on the journey. After a series of battles and a lengthy siege, the crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 CE, establishing several Christian states in the region. The First Crusade significantly impacted Christian-Muslim relations and reshaped the political landscape of the Near East.