Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.
1095
start of the crusades
Key factors included religious fervor, a desire to reclaim the Holy Land, political ambition, and economic incentives
1096
The first armies (including the "People's Crusade") depart from Europe in August, with some groups massacring Jews in the Rhineland along the way.
1096
The main Crusader armies arrive at Constantinople and then cross into Anatolia, capturing Nicaea in June and defeating the Seljuk Turks at the Battle of Dorylaeum.
1098
The Crusaders besiege and capture Antioch in March.
1099
The Crusaders arrive at Jerusalem in June and sack the city in July. They defeat the Egyptian army at the Battle of Ascalon in August, solidifying their control of the region.
1144
second crusade
1144
The city of Edessa, a key Crusader state, falls to the Muslim forces of Zengi.
1145
News of Edessa's fall reaches Europe, prompting a call for a new crusade.
1147
The main crusade begins with armies from Germany and France departing for the Holy Land.
1147
The crusade's main thrust suffers heavy losses in Anatolia, primarily from Turkish ambushes.
1148
The combined French and German armies decide to besiege Damascus instead of Edessa, which was a crucial and ultimately disastrous decision.
1150
The Second Crusade officially ends, having failed to achieve its primary objectives in the Holy Land.
1189
beginning of third crusade
1192
end of third crusade
1198
fourth crusade
1198
Pope Innocent III officially calls for the Fourth Crusade to recapture Jerusalem.
1198
A special tax is created to fund the crusade, and preaching campaigns begin across Europe.