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Probably one of the more controversial periods of the middle ages, The Crusades refers to the period between 1095 through to approximately 1291 when various representatives from Western Christiandom, rallied together to fight for control of Jerusalem from Muslim occupation and invasion threats from Turkish Muslims at Constantinople. Several campaigns were organized, with varying degrees of success, but after the major crusades ultimately the area remained devoid of significant western influence until 1917.

The first call to arms began in response to a speech made by Pope Urban II in 1095 at Clermont France. Urban had received word from Alexis I, the Byantine emperor, that Turkish Muslims threatened Constantinople and importantly, pilgrimage routes to the Holy Lands. As well, Muslims had control of Jerusalem itself, which had been lost to Christians since 638 AD. Accounts of Turkish and Muslim atrocities embedded in Urban's speech aroused sufficient sympathy from Western Christians to rally to the aid of Alexis and their Eastern Christian brothers, especially if it meant plenary indulgence, a way to secure your place in heaven, adventure and also wealth.

Initially, however, the response was not quite as expected. The People's Crusade, as it was known, was headed by Peter the Hermit who rallied people from the ordinary rank and file. This rag-tag collection of ill-equipped and largely non-combatant personnel ransacked its' way through to Asia Minor, before they were stopped decisively by the more organized and battle ready Turks.

It wasn't until the Frankish barons organized a truly military campaign that Jerusalem was liberated. Headed by several men including, Bohemond of Taranto, Raymond of Toulouse, Hugh of Vermandois, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Robert of Flanders, and Robert of Normandy, the crusaders retook Jerusalem in 1099 www.theorb.net/encyclop/rel/cr usades/crusade_intro.html. The capture of the city almost met with disaster, since, heat, thirst and starvation had dwindled the frankish numbers significantly. They were resupplied fortunately, by crusader ships which arrived during the seige and the crusaders eventually breached the walls, butchering most of the inhabitants. According to some accounts, they waded up to their ankles in blood in a typically violent display. The crusaders then formed feudal style kingdoms based around Edessa, Tripoli, Antioch and the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which had ultimate authority.

Over the next few hundred

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