Results of the First Crusade
In 1097, the crusaders defeated the Muslims near Nicaea, in what is now northwest Turkey. The Western European crusader forces then marched toward Jerusalem, fighting many bloody battles along the way. The most difficult was the siege of Antioch, in northern Syria (now in Turkey). Many crusaders died there, in battle or from hunger, and many others deserted. After Antioch had been captured, the crusaders were attacked there by the Turks. However, the discovery of a lance said to be the one that wounded Jesus on the cross inspired the crusaders, and they won a great victory.
The Europeans arrived at Jerusalem in the summer of 1099. They recovered the Holy City after six weeks of fighting. Most of the crusaders then returned home. The leaders who remained divided the conquered land into four states called the Latin States of the Crusaders.
Excerpt adapted from the "Crusades" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999