People’s Crusade

The People's Crusade was an early part of the First Crusade in 1096, involving mainly untrained and impoverished peasants led by charismatic figures like Peter the Hermit. Motivated by religious fervor, they aimed to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. Lacking military experience and proper resources, the crusaders faced significant hardships during their journey, including violence against Jewish communities in Europe. Ultimately, most of them were defeated by Turkish forces in Anatolia before reaching Jerusalem. This movement highlighted the intense religious zeal of the time but also the challenges of organizing a large-scale military campaign without proper support.