Peter the Hermit returned from Jerusalem inspired by the idea of crusade

Summary:
Peter the Hermit went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. His Christian host there told him about outrages to Christians in the city in the past, and severe problems in the present. He saw the truth of this and discussed it in an interview with the patriarch Symeon. Symeon was impressed with him, told him of his helplessness, and said that salvation could only lie in the prosperous west, as Byzantium had just lost half its empire. Peter wept and assured him that the Pope and western rulers would act, if they had credible information. Different texts divide responsibility in different ways. Peter asked Symeon to write to them (which he did), and promised personal intervention on his return home, perhaps at the patriarch's suggestion. He saw a confirmatory vision of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Anna Komnene's version has him setting out on pilgrimage but badly treated by the Turks and Saracens who dominated the route, and returning home to try again via the crusade 
Dates:
1095 
Jerusalem host of Peter the Hermit (Anonymus 4003)
  • As a Christian, he gave hospitality to Peter the Hermit in Jerusalem, and told him of present and past outrages against Christians there (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.12-14
Peter the Hermit (Petros 61)
  • Came as pilgrim to Jerusalem, staying with Christian believer Anonymus 4003, who told him of present and past outrages against Christians there; supplemented the story by personal observation and an interview with the patriarch Symeon 104 (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.1-26
  • Had long discussions with patriarch Symeon 104 on state of Christians in Jerusalem; Symeon, realising he was prudent, experienced and active in word and deed, spoke frankly; Petros wept and asked what the solution could be (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.24-33
  • When Symeon 104 suggested that salvation for Jerusalem Christians now lay in prosperous West, as Byzantines had just lost half their empire, he assured him that Pope and Western rulers would act, if they had credible information (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.36-53
  • Asked Symeon 104 to write to Pope and Western rulers about the situation, and promised to intervene with them himself to find some solution; Symeon and his attendants were most grateful and the letter was written (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.53-63
  • After a vigil, saw vision of Christ in Church of the Holy Sepulchre promising help in his mission; with blessing of Symeon 104, he sailed to Bari (Barium), found Pope Urban 22 nearby and gave him the letter on the plight of Christians in Jerusalem (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 12.1-40
  • He set out on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but was badly treated by the Turks and Saracens who dominated the route and returned home; he decided to try again with comrades by preaching the crusade (:) πολλὰ δεινὰ πεπονθὼς παρὰ τῶν τὴν Ἀσίαν πᾶσαν ληιζομένων Τούρκων τε καὶ Σαρακηνῶν Anna Komnene 297.18-25
  • He visited Jerusalem, saw the wicked actions of the local non-Christians and approached the patriarch Symeon 104, asking him why he allowed this; Symeon said he was helpless, and suggested that Peter act as his envoy to the West for aid (:) Albert of Aachen I.2
  • He willingly undertook the task which Symeon 104 asked of him, promising to visit the pope and all the secular leaders of the west to tell them of the wretchedness of Christians in Jerusalem and encourage them to take action to cleanse the holy places (:) Albert of Aachen I.3
  • Petros' determination was increased by a vision of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre; he returned to Symeon 104, told him of the vision and received from him a letter with his seal to confirm his mission to the west (:) Albert of Aachen I.4-5
Symeon II, patriarch of Jerusalem (Symeon 104)
  • When asked by Petros 61 why he allowed the non-Christians to persecute his flock, he expressed helplessness, and suggested that Petros act as his envoy to the West for aid; Petros accepted willingly (:) Albert of Aachen I.3
  • When Petros 61 told him of a vision of Jesus he saw in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and asked him for a licence, he wrote him a letter and sealed it with the seal of the holy cross (:) cum sigillo sancte crucis Albert of Aachen I.5
  • Realising Petros 61 was prudent, experienced and active in word and deed, spoke frankly of the plight of Christians in Jerusalem, suggesting that, as Byzantines had just lost half their empire, only hope now rested in the prosperous West (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.26-49
  • Was asked by Petros 61 to write to Pope and Western rulers about the situation in Jerusalem, and assured they would act, and that Petros would intervene with them himself; he and attendants were most grateful and wrote the letter (: ) William of Tyre bk. 1, 11.53-63