The Crusades

First Crusade

Period: Jul 15, 1096 to Aug 15, 1097

A military expedition launched by Pope Urban II in 1095 to recapture the Holy Land from Muslim control

Second Crusade

Oct 25, 1147

A European military expedition launched after the fall of Edessa to Muslims, led by French King Louis VII and German Emperor Conrad III

Third Crusade

May 11, 1189

A major European effort led by Richard the Lionheart (England), Philip II (France), and Frederick Barbarossa (Germany) to recapture Jerusalem from the Muslim leader Saladin

Fourth Crusade

Nov 10, 1202

A Latin Christian expedition originally meant to retake Jerusalem but was diverted, leading to the Crusaders sacking the great city of Constantinople

Fifth Crusade

Sep 12, 1217

Primarily targeting Egypt by capturing the port of Damietta to use as a base for advancing on Jerusalem

Sixth Crusade

Jun 28, 1227

Led by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II that successfully regained Jerusalem for Christians through negotiation

Seventh Crusade

Aug 12, 1248

Led by King Louis IX of France to recapture Jerusalem, focusing first on Egypt, a strategy mirroring the Fifth Crusade

Eighth Crusade

Jul 18, 1270

Led by France's King Louis IX against Tunis, North Africa, which ended in failure after Louis died from plague