The First Crusade Takes Jerusalem
Against all military logic, the First Crusade marches thousands of miles and captures Jerusalem in 1099 — the only fully successful crusade.
The disorganized People's Crusade led by Peter the Hermit was destroyed in Anatolia in 1096, but the princes' armies that followed endured a brutal siege at Antioch and took Jerusalem on 15 July 1099, massacring much of the city's population — an atrocity the crusaders' own chroniclers described. Godfrey of Bouillon became the city's first Latin ruler, and four crusader states were established in the Levant. Fulcher of Chartres, who made the journey, left one of the key eyewitness accounts.
Perspective
The First Crusade succeeded largely because it arrived at the perfect moment: the Seljuk world was fractured into rival emirates that would not unite against the invaders. Later crusades faced consolidated opponents and failed, which tells you the "miracle" of 1099 was really a geopolitical window. The massacre at Jerusalem, recorded proudly by the victors themselves, is also a reminder that our most vivid sources were written by the perpetrators.
Open in interactive timeline →Frequently Asked Questions
What was The First Crusade Takes Jerusalem?
The disorganized People's Crusade led by Peter the Hermit was destroyed in Anatolia in 1096, but the princes' armies that followed endured a brutal siege at Antioch and took Jerusalem on 15 July 1099, massacring much of the city's population — an atrocity the crusaders' own chroniclers described. Godfrey of Bouillon became the city's first Latin ruler, and four crusader states were established in the Levant. Fulcher of Chartres, who made the journey, left one of the key eyewitness accounts.
When did The First Crusade Takes Jerusalem happen?
The First Crusade Takes Jerusalem: 1096–1099 CE.
Why does The First Crusade Takes Jerusalem matter?
The First Crusade succeeded largely because it arrived at the perfect moment: the Seljuk world was fractured into rival emirates that would not unite against the invaders. Later crusades faced consolidated opponents and failed, which tells you the "miracle" of 1099 was really a geopolitical window. The massacre at Jerusalem, recorded proudly by the victors themselves, is also a reminder that our most vivid sources were written by the perpetrators.