Crusade of 1101

The Crusade of 1101 was a minor crusade, actually three separate movements, organized in 1100 and 1101 in the successful aftermath of the First Crusade. It is also called the Crusade of the Faint-Hearted due to the number of participants who joined this crusade after having turned back from the First Crusade.

Aftermath

William of Nevers also escaped to Tarsus and joined the rest of the survivors there. Raymond of Toulouse later joined them there as well. Under Raymond's command they captured Tortosa, with help from a Genoese fleet. By now the crusade was more of a pilgrimage. The survivors arrived at Antioch at the end of 1101, and at Easter in 1102 arrived in Jerusalem. Afterwards, many of them simply went home, their vow having been fulfilled, although some remained behind to help King Baldwin I defend against an Egyptian invasion at Ramla. Stephen of Blois was killed during this battle, as was Hugh VI of Lusignan, ancestor of the future Lusignan dynasty of Jerusalem and Cyprus. Joscelin of Courtenay also stayed behind, and survived to become Count of Edessa in 1118.

Related Topics:
Tortosa - Genoese - Pilgrimage - Antioch - Easter - Jerusalem - Baldwin I - Egypt - Ramla - Hugh VI of Lusignan - Lusignan - Cyprus - Joscelin of Courtenay - Count of Edessa

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The defeat of the crusade allowed Kilij Arslan to establish his capital at Konya, and also proved to the Muslim world that the crusaders were not invincible, as they appeared to be during the First Crusade. The crusaders and Byzantines each blamed the other for the defeat, and neither of them were able to ensure a safe route through Anatolia now that Kilij Arslan had strengthened his position. The only open route to the Holy Land was the sea route, which benefitted the Italian cities. The lack of a safe land route from Constantinople also benefitted the Principality of Antioch, where Tancred, ruling for his uncle Bohemund, was able to consolidate his power without Byzantine interference.

Related Topics:
Anatolia - Holy Land - Italian - Principality of Antioch - Tancred

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Both the Second and Third Crusades suffered similar fates when attempting to cross Anatolia.

Related Topics:
Second - Third Crusades

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