The Peasant's Crusade

The Peasant's Crusade was an early part of the First Crusade in 1096, driven mainly by common folk and petty nobles rather than trained military leaders. Motivated by religious fervor and the desire to reclaim Jerusalem, many ordinary Europeans, often poorly equipped and inexperienced, set out across Europe and Asia Minor. They faced hardships like starvation, illness, and attacks from Muslim forces. Ultimately, most did not reach Jerusalem, but their passionate, spontaneous effort helped ignite the larger, organized crusade later led by knights and nobles.