Stephen of Cloyes

Stephen of Cloyes was a teenage leader of a children's crusade in 1212 during the medieval period. Believing he had received a divine vision, he inspired thousands of young people to march to the Holy Land to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control. His movement was part of a broader phenomenon of popular crusades during the time, often driven by religious fervor and a desire for adventure. However, the expedition ultimately failed, and many participants were lost or sold into slavery, highlighting the dangers and complexities of the era's spiritual and geopolitical climate.