This Week in Christian History: New World Baptism, Cathedral Construction, and the First Crusade

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, August 13, 2017

The First Crusade Begins – Aug. 15, 1096

Peter the Hermit leading an army during the First Crusade (1096-1099). | (Photo: Public Domain)

This week marks the anniversary of the beginning of the First Crusade, when large numbers of Christian Europeans sought to recapture various holy sites in the Middle East.

Months after Pope Urban II made his call to Crusade to help the Byzantine Empire retake eastern holdings seized by Islamic armies, Christian forces left Byzantium.

"Four armies of Crusaders were formed from troops of different Western European regions, led by Raymond of Saint-Gilles, Godfrey of Bouillon, Hugh of Vermandois and Bohemond of Taranto (with his nephew, Tancred)," noted History.com.

"A less organized band of knights and commoners known as the 'People's Crusade' set off before the others under the command of a popular preacher known as Peter the Hermit."

The First Crusade was technically a success, with the Christians reconquering Jerusalem and much of the western Middle East.

However, Islamic warriors eventually struck back and several more Crusades were launched. The cultural and political impact of the religious wars continue to be discussed and debated today.