The First Crusade and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

Following centuries of Arab rule and relative stability, the political landscape of the Middle East underwent a dramatic upheaval in the late 11th century. While Palestine itself was under the control of the Fatimid Caliphate based in Egypt, the wider region saw shifts in power, particularly with the rise of the Seljuk Turks. This complex environment, coupled with appeals from the Byzantine Empire and religious fervor in Europe, set the stage for an unprecedented military movement originating from the West.

Pope Urban II's call to arms in 1095 at the Council of Clermont resonated deeply across Western Europe. He urged knights and commoners alike to embark on a pilgrimage to liberate Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. This summons tapped into existing currents of piety, feudal ambition, and a desire for adventure and potential wealth, mobilizing a diverse and massive force.