The main armies of the First Crusade, led by prominent European nobles, began their journey to the Holy Land in 1096.

The crusaders achieved their first major success by capturing the city of Nicaea in Anatolia, which they returned to the Byzantines.

They won a crucial field battle against the Seljuk Turks at Dorylaeum, which opened the way across Anatolia.

The crusaders then endured a long and difficult siege to capture the strategic city of Antioch.

After capturing Antioch, they were themselves besieged and, according to tradition, were inspired by the discovery of the 'Holy Lance.'

Internal rivalries led to the creation of the first Crusader State, the County of Edessa, before the main army reached Jerusalem.

The crusaders finally reached Jerusalem in 1099 and laid siege to the city.

After a five-week siege, the crusaders breached the walls and captured the city.

The capture of Jerusalem was followed by a brutal massacre of most of the city's Muslim and Jewish inhabitants.

The success of the First Crusade resulted in the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.