The First Crusade and the Formation of Crusader States

The Crusader Advance Through Anatolia and the Battle of Dorylaeum

In the summer of 1097, the Crusader forces, bolstered by Byzantine troops under the command of Tatikios, embarked on a challenging march through Anatolia. Their expectation was that Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos would dispatch additional support. To facilitate movement and supply, the Crusaders divided into two main contingents: the Normans, led by Bohemond of Taranto, and the French, led by Godfrey of Bouillon and other nobles. These groups aimed to regroup at Dorylaeum. On July 1, 1097, the Normans, marching ahead, were suddenly attacked by the Seljuk Sultan Kilij Arslan I, who had regrouped after his defeat at Nicaea with a force emphasizing mobile archery. The Normans hastily formed a defensive formation to protect their camp and non-combatants. They sent for aid, and the French contingent arrived in time to launch a counterattack. Godfrey of Bouillon and the French forces managed to penetrate the Turkish encirclement, while the papal legate Adhemar of Le Puy led a flanking maneuver. The Seljuk forces, unable to withstand the combined Crusader armies, retreated. This victory at Dorylaeum allowed the Crusaders to continue their march across Anatolia, though they faced significant hardships due to the scorched earth tactics employed by the retreating Seljuks, which resulted in a scarcity of provisions and water.

Baldwin of Boulogne's Journey to Edessa and the Formation of the First Crusader State

As the main Crusader army proceeded through the Cilician Gates, Baldwin of Boulogne, along with Tancred, nephew of Bohemond, diverged from the main force, each driven by the ambition to establish their own rule in the Armenian territories. Baldwin, in particular, sought to create a personal domain and found support among the Armenians, including the assistance of an Armenian adventurer named Bagrat. Baldwin and Tancred initially competed for control over the city of Tarsus, with Baldwin ultimately prevailing. After consolidating his position in Tarsus, Baldwin moved inland and was invited by Thoros, the Armenian ruler of Edessa, to help defend against Seljuk incursions. Baldwin's adept political and military maneuvers led to his adoption by Thoros as a son and heir. Following a revolt in which Thoros was killed, Baldwin assumed control of Edessa, thereby establishing the first of the Crusader states. His rule was further strengthened through strategic marriages, alliances, and the fortification of key positions, which also provided logistical support to the main Crusader army and impeded Seljuk operations.

The Prolonged Siege of Antioch and the Rise of the Principality

The main body of the Crusader army, now without Baldwin and Tancred, commenced the siege of Antioch on October 20, 1097. Antioch was a city with formidable defenses, and the siege proved to be a protracted and difficult endeavor. The Crusaders suffered from shortages of food and the threat of desertion. Although they managed to secure some supplies via the sea and captured nearby ports, the siege was characterized by significant challenges, including internal disputes and the death of the spiritual leader Adhemar of Le Puy. The turning point came when Bohemond of Taranto negotiated with an Armenian guard named Firouz, who betrayed the city, allowing a group of Crusaders to infiltrate and open the gates. On June 2, 1098, the Crusaders seized Antioch, but their victory was tarnished by the subsequent massacre of many of its inhabitants. Soon after, the Crusaders themselves were besieged by the forces of Kerbogha, the Atabeg of Mosul. Despite the dire circumstances, the Crusaders managed to repulse Kerbogha's forces and secured their hold on Antioch, leading to the establishment of the Principality of Antioch, with Bohemond becoming its first prince.

The Conquest of Jerusalem and the End of the First Crusade

After securing Antioch, the Crusaders set their sights on Jerusalem, advancing with relatively little resistance as many local rulers chose to negotiate peace rather than confront the Crusaders directly. The leadership of the Crusader forces underwent reorganization, with some leaders, such as Raymond IV of Toulouse, accepting vassals, while others, like Godfrey of Bouillon, remained independent. Despite internal conflicts among the leaders and the clergy, especially in the wake of Adhemar's death and the controversy over the Holy Lance, the Crusaders pressed on. They captured several cities en route, including Bethlehem. On June 7, 1099, the Crusaders laid siege to Jerusalem, which had been reinforced by its Fatimid governor, Iftikhar al-Dawla. The initial assaults on the city were unsuccessful, but the arrival of Genoese ships with engineers and materials allowed the Crusaders to construct siege engines. Following a solemn religious procession that fostered unity among the Crusaders, they launched a final assault on Jerusalem. On July 15, 1099, the city fell to the Crusaders, marking a pivotal moment in the First Crusade and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.