First Crusade A scene from the First Crusade (People's Crusade), illustration by Sebastian Marmoret, c. 1490. (more) First Crusade European history Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/First-Crusade Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites History Learning Site - The First Crusade Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 20, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was the main objective of the First Crusade? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The main objective of the First Crusade was to check the spread of Islam, retake control of the Holy Land, conquer pagan areas, and recapture formerly Christian territories." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What role did religion play in the First Crusade? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Religion played a significant role in the First and subsequent Crusades, which were seen as a means of redemption and expiation for sins and as a holy war pleasing to God." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who initiated the First Crusade and when? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Pope Urban II initiated the First Crusade in 1095 during the Council of Clermont." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What were the outcomes of the First Crusade? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "During the First Crusade, Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, established Crusader states, and secured Christian territories, although there were disagreements over governance." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How did the First Crusade affect Jewish communities? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The First Crusade led to massacres of Jews in several Rhenish towns in 1096, marking a pivotal moment in the history of antisemitism." } } ] } Top Questions What was the main objective of the First Crusade? The main objective of the First Crusade was to check the spread of Islam, retake control of the Holy Land, conquer pagan areas, and recapture formerly Christian territories.

　　What role did religion play in the First Crusade? Religion played a significant role in the First and subsequent Crusades, which were seen as a means of redemption and expiation for sins and as a holy war pleasing to God.

　　Who initiated the First Crusade and when? Pope Urban II initiated the First Crusade in 1095 during the Council of Clermont.

　　What were the outcomes of the First Crusade? During the First Crusade, Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099, established Crusader states, and secured Christian territories, although there were disagreements over governance.

　　How did the First Crusade affect Jewish communities? The First Crusade led to massacres of Jews in several Rhenish towns in 1096, marking a pivotal moment in the history of antisemitism.

　　First Crusade, military expedition launched in 1095 that was organized by western European Christians in response to centuries of Muslim wars of expansion. Their objectives were to check the spread of Islam, to retake control of the Holy Land in the eastern Mediterranean, to conquer pagan areas, and to recapture formerly Christian territories. The First and subsequent Crusades were seen by many participants as a means of redemption and expiation for sins. Although less advanced than other civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, western Europe had become a significant power by the end of the 11th century. It was composed of ...(100 of 4761 words)

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