Certainty: 2 Peter the Hermit returned from Jerusalem inspired by the idea of crusade Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Pope Urban II preached the crusade at the Council of Clermont Certainty: 3
1096
Certainty: 2 Peter the Hermit crossed Hungary & captured Zemun (Malevilla) Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Serious trouble caused by Peter the Hermit's men at Nis Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Peter the Hermit went quickly from Nis to the capital
Fortunately an imperial messenger arrived just after the army had regathered near Nis, with a friendly letter from Alexios I. He censured Peter and his men but offered food as far as Constantinople at fair prices. Peter agreed not to stay anywhere more than three days. He went via Serdica to Philippopolis, where he was given money and supplies. At Adrianople he received another message from Alexios, to hurry to the city and have a personal audience with the emperor. With raised morale, despite the catastrophic loss of their baggage, carts and money, Peter went quickly to the capital and joined Walter Sansavoir
Certainty: 3 Peter the Hermit met Alexios I & crossed with Walter Sansavoir to Asia Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Rivalry in raids on Nicaea led to massacre of People's crusaders outside Kibotos by Turks Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 A few of Peter's men returned alive, threatened by more ambushes but saved by Alexios' troops Certainty: 3
1097
Certainty: 3 Early arrivals among the crusaders moved on towards Nicaea Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Crusader forces reached Nicaea: position of contingents in the siege Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Surrender of Nicaea to Boutoumites & Alexios I Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Crusaders arrived at Antioch: positions of contingents in siege
As the crusaders approached Antioch, its ruler, Yaghi Siyan, sought help from eastern allies, his pleas seconded by Kilic Arslan I; many supplies and materials were gathered near Antioch, with refugee reinforcements. Alexios I was rumoured to be about to send a large army, but the crusaders decided not to wait for him, or for another rumoured crusade. They began the siege on October 18, Bohemond and Tatikios arriving at the head of the army. They camped opposite the Gate of St Paul, on the east side of the city, with Robert of Normandy, Robert of Flanders, Stephen of Blois, Stephen of Aumale, Hugh of St Pol and Hugh of Vermandois, covering the wall up to the Gate of the Dog. Raymond of Toulouse and Adhemar of Le Puy camped opposite the Gate of the Dog to the north-east, covering the wall down to the Gate of the Duke and Godfrey of Bouillon. The latter camped from the gate of the Duke to the north, covering the wall up to the Gate of the Bridge with his brother Eustace and Baldwin of Hainault, Reinhard of Toul and Cono of Montaigu. To save swimming across the river when foraging, a bridge of boats was built near Godfrey's camp, opposite the Gate of the Duke. Raymond and Adhemar were exposed to sorties from the Gate of the Dog over a stone bridge. To stop this they tried vainly to destroy the bridge, or to guard it with a wooden tower or missiles from siege engines. The gate was finally blocked with stones and trees
1098
Certainty: 3 Peter Bartholomew found the holy lance that pierced Christ's side
Peter Bartholomew told Adhemar and Raymond of Toulouse that St Andrew had appeared to him in dreams several times, asking him urgently to tell the chiefs that the lance that pierced Christ's side was buried in church of Hagios Petros in Antioch, and should be dug up. The issue was placed before the chiefs, who agreed to the digging. An appropriate piece of metal was found, and greatly increased morale. However the lance did not convince Bohemond, and the latter's arguments were supported by Robert of Flanders, Robert of Normandy, Arnulf of Choques and Tancred. This became a divisive issue, especially between Raymond and Bohemond
Certainty: 3 Embassy of Peter the Hermit to Kerbogha ended in failure Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Victorious attack on the army of Kerbogha outside Antioch, which broke up in panic Certainty: 3
1099
Certainty: 3 Siege of Jerusalem Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Massacre by the crusaders of all non-Christian inhabitants of Jerusalem Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Arrival at Askalon of an Egyptian expedition to recapture Jerusalem Certainty: 3