NB. The Arabs and Turks called all Europeans “Franks”, while to the Crusader States, all Muslims were “Saracens”.

 

The Crusades (Part 3)
First, The Crusader Army took Nicaea (capital of Seljuk sultan, Qilij Arslan), and returned it to the Byzantine Empire; since they have promised to return captured Byzantine lands back to their owners from the Turks. Next, Edessa was practically given to them in 1096, as it was still under Byzantine rule (despite being in Muslim Seljuk territory) and was ruled by a childless and aged Armenian, Toros. This established the first Frankish kingdom which was to hold until 1144.

As The Crusaders marched on, the local population fled the towns before they arrived. Others gave them food or looked the other way so they would just keep marching and not sack their towns and cities. Next, The Crusaders arrived at Antioch, one of those cities with a Christian population, and attempted to siege it. That proved quite difficult as Antioch itself covered 25 miles, was well defended with 400 towers and had a strong citadel. It took 9 months and a traitor from within before Antioch fell, and all the Turkish inhabitants were slaughtered by The Crusaders in their zeal – including the Christians. Attacks from other Muslim states soon followed, but the crusaders were able to fend them off, creating the second Frankish kingdom. The city was recaptured by the Muslims in 1268.

 

 

And finally, the real aim of the Crusades: Jerusalem. In July 1099, parts of the now-fragmented Crusader Army arrived at Jerusalem, and began an ill-organised siege that only saw fruition when The Crusaders managed to scrounge enough wood to build catapults. The north wall of the city was breached after 7 days, and when the defenders saw the city walls have fallen, they fled to the Dome of the Rock and surrendered. Only the lord of the city, Iftikhar, was able to bribe his way out safely.

What happened next was a stain on Crusader history. The entire city was slaughtered – Muslims and Jews, men and women, young and old were shown no mercy. When the violence ended 3 days later, The Crusaders were knee-deep in bodies, blood and entrails, as some of The Crusaders also believed that Arabs swallowed their gold when they were fleeing from attackers. Holy places, including the Dome of the Rock, was sacked for their gold and riches. Afterwards, The Crusaders decided to choose their king, and Godfrey of Bouillon was elected as ruler. He died a year later, and was succeeded by a series of rather ineffectual “Kings of Jerusalem” (which included a leper), until the city was recaptured by the Muslims in 1187.

Theoretically speaking, most of The Crusaders went home after the capture of Jerusalem, and the First Crusade was officially over. However, the truth was that many Crusaders stayed behind, lured by the wealth they found in the Islamic cities which was unmatched in Europe at the time. When this booty was brought back to the Christian kingdoms, it only fanned the greed of minor nobles that later ended up preying on Muslim trade caravans as they travelled the trade routes (The most notorious of whom was Reginald of Chatillon). This was to continue until the rise of a famous Islamic leader, general and chivalrous warrior: Saladin.

 

To Be Continued…