First Crusade

The First Crusade (1096-1099) was a military expedition initiated by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land, particularly Jerusalem, from Muslim control. Launched in response to a call from Pope Urban II, it aimed to protect Christian pilgrims and assert Christian dominance. Comprising various knights and soldiers, the crusaders faced challenging journeys and battles, eventually capturing Jerusalem in 1099. This event marked the beginning of a series of religious wars known as the Crusades, profoundly influencing Christian-Muslim relations and shaping political and social dynamics in medieval Europe and the Near East.