1074

Pope Gregory VII proposes a campaign to liberate Jerusalem and assist the Eastern Roman Empire against the Turks.

1077

Jerusalem rebels against Emir Atsiz while he is fighting in Egypt; on his return he massacres the population.

1081

Norman invasion of Greece.

1085

Alfonso VI, King of Castile, expels the Muslims from Toledo.

1086

Christian Antioch falls to the Seljuks.

1087

Joint Pisan, Genoese, Roman and Amalfi forces destroy one of the main bases for Arab raiding and piracy in what is now Tunisia.

1095

November

Council of Clermont: Pope Urban II calls for fighting men from the West to go to the assistance of the beleaguered Eastern Roman Empire and liberate Jerusalem from Muslim rule.

1096

Crusading enthusiasm results in massacres of Jews in many cities;

Spring

The ‘Peoples’ Crusade’ departs from Western Europe;

August

Main crusade under the papal legate Adhemar departs Western Europe for Constantinople; ‘Peoples’ Crusade’ crosses the Bosphorus and enters Turkish-held territory;

September-October

Turks obliterate the ‘Peoples’ Crusade’ led by Peter the Hermit;

Contingents of the main crusade begin arriving in Constantinople.

1097

19 June

Crusaders in cooperation with the Byzantines recapture Nicaea;

1 July

Crusaders defeat Turks at the Battle of Dorylaeum;

21 October

Crusaders begin siege of Muslim-controlled Antioch.

1098

March

Baldwin of Boulogne becomes Count of Edessa;

3 June