Peter the Hermit (monk)

Peter the Hermit was a 11th-century Christian monk and itinerant preacher who played a key role in the First Crusade. Renowned for his passionate sermons, he motivated many common people to undertake the dangerous journey to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. Originally living a solitary, religious life, Peter became a charismatic figure whose calls for pilgrimage and military action sparked widespread enthusiasm among peasants and farmers. Despite lacking formal military training, his leadership helped galvanize a mass movement that significantly contributed to the start of the First Crusade in 1096.