The First Crusade

How the First Crusade began.

The People's Crusade was a popular movement of crusaders who did not wait for the official leaders of the expedition but took off for the Holy Land early, unprepared and inexperienced.

The story of the first ill-equipped crusaders and their unfortunate journey, by J. Arthur McFall. Originally appearing in Military History magazine and now online at TheHistoryNet.

This extensive examination of the first victory of the first crusade by Terry L. Gore originally appeared in Military History magazine and is online at TheHistoryNet.

Thorough examination of the 1099 battle by J. Arthur McFall at Military History Magazine, online at TheHistoryNet.

A brief introduction to the genesis of the First Crusade is followed by an eyewitness account, by an unnamed source, of Jersalem's fall. Nicely done at the Eyewitness website.

This instructive overview by Lynn H. Nelson at the ORB covers the various causes that led to the first armed pilgrimage to Jerusalem and its consequences.

Dr. Ellis Knox tells the story of the first Crusade in 21 brief but enlightening chapters from his History of Western Civilization course.

Albert of Aix was the author of a history of the First Crusade that was widely known in the Middle Ages. An article from the 1911 Encyclopedia.