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Most First Crusade participants saw the potential to acquire territory, wealth, and power, while some were motivated by religious piety and others by the allure of travel and adventure. Due to the primogeniture system, which handed the family's titles and lands to the firstborn sons, younger sons of noble households responded in large numbers to the First Crusade. -
This was the second significant crusade that originated in Europe. The County of Edessa had fallen to the armies of Zengi the year before, prompting the start of the Second Crusade. -
The Kings' Crusade, commonly referred to as the Third Crusade, was an effort by European rulers to retake the Holy Land from Saladin (1189–1192). Although it was mostly successful, its ultimate objective—the reconquest of Jerusalem—was not achieved. -
Despite Pope Innocent III's invitation for a second Crusade in 1198, the Crusaders' goal was diverted in order to overthrow Alexius III, the reigning Byzantine emperor, in favor of his nephew, who would later become Alexius IV, in the middle of 1203. -
Prior to his death in 1216, Pope Innocent III launched the Fifth Crusade, which saw the Crusaders invade Egypt from both land and sea. However, in 1221, they were forced to submit to Muslim defenses under the command of Saladin's nephew, Al-Malik al-Kamil. -
Emperor Frederick II negotiated with al-Kamil to bring Jerusalem under Crusader rule during what is now known as the Sixth Crusade. Ten years later, the peace agreement came to an end, and Muslims quickly took back control of Jerusalem. -
The goal of several Crusades that took place during the last years of the 13th century was to fight against any and all parties that were viewed as adversaries of Christianity, rather than to overthrow Muslim troops in the Holy Land. The Great Crusades are officially over, as the last few crusaders retire to Cyprus.