In 1096 AD, four armies of crusaders were organized, each of which was comprised of people from different regions of western Europe. The parties were lead by Raymond of Saint-Gilles, Godfrey of Bouillon, Hugh of Vermandois, and Bohemond of Taranto, each of which was a lord. Alongside the major armies, a less distinguished band of knights and common folk known as “the People’s Crusade” departed for Byzantium first, while the rest of the forces were scheduled to make the journey towards the city in August of 1096. On the way to Byzantium, the People’s Crusade enjoyed a series of victories, which prompted them to surge forwards despite the advice of Alexius. They crossed the strait of Bosporus at the beginning of August, but suffered a crushing defeat in their first encounter with the muslim forces at the battle for the city of Cubitus. At the same time, a separate clan of crusaders, who were lead by the count Emicho, slaughtered Jews who were living in the Rhineland, sparking a rift in Jewish-Christian affinities.
Eventually, all four armies successfully reached Constantinople. When they arrived, Alexius requested that the leaders of the crusading armies become loyal to him, subsequently making all of the conquered lands and any valuables found his. The leaders of the reinforcing armies did not appreciate this, and all but one refused the deal. Despite the refusal, the Byzantine forces did ally themselves with their European reinforcements, and they successfully sacked the city of Nicea (which is now Iznik Turkey), and after a considerable siege, the occupants relinquished control of the territory at the end of June. Following first major victory, the combined forces proceeded through Anatolia, and in 1098 AD, they successfully sacked the prominent Syrian city of Antioch. Invigorated, the Crusaders marched onwards towards Jerusalem, and in the year 1099 AD, they forced the city’s governor to surrender. Despite a promise that had been made about safety for the residents, the victorious army poured into the city and proceeded to slaughter hundreds of men, women, and children in the process. Thus ended the first crusade.
