Basil the Bogomil (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

More armed pilgrims arrive at Constantinople in the wake of the fall of Jerusalem. Alexios advises them to avoid the Turks of Anatolia but they ignore him. Meanwhile Alexios’ attempts to put pressure on Antioch are thwarted by Bohemond’s nephew Tancred. Finally we return to Constantinople to check in with the Komnenian regime and watch a man get burnt to death.

Period: 1097-1104

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Anatolia and Armenia 1100 AD. Turkic and Latin capitals in red.

Jerusalem falls by Emile Signol (1847)

The Crusader march to Jerusalem (from Victory in the East by J France)

The Siege of Jerusalem (from Victory in the East by J France)

After their victory at Antioch the Crusaders agree to pause for a few months to rest. Bohemond and Raymond argue over who will keep the city. When neither Alexios or Urban will come to help them out they have to make decisions for themselves. These choice hinge on whether Raymond of Toulouse can both lead the Crusade and carve out a piece of the Levant for himself. In the process Raymond will lose all credibility and be forced to rely on Godfrey of Bouillon to help him get to Jerusalem. Once there the Latins end up in a race against time. They must take the city before an army from Cairo arrives or they run out of water.

Period: 1098-9

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Engraving of Antioch by William Miller from a sketch by Byam Martin in 1866

Battle outside Antioch from ‘Passaiges d’outremer’ (Voyages to Palestine) illuminated by Sebastian Marmoret (c1490)

Antioch and Vicinity (from Victory in the East by J France)

Siege of Antioch. Oct 1097 – Mar 1098 (from Victory in the East by J France)

Siege of Antioch. Mar-May 1098 (from Victory in the East by J France)

The Defeat of Kerbogah (from Victory in the East by J France)

The Crusaders set up a siege of Antioch. The vast size of the city makes it impossible to fully encircle. What follows is a battle of attrition as the Crusaders wait for the Turkic garrison to make a mistake and the garrison await reinforcements. Meanwhile Alexios makes his way to the centre of the Anatolian plateau to consolidate the return of Byzantine power. He also awaits news from Antioch.

Time Stamps – each section is broken up by our drum sound effect
00.00-03.05 Introduction
03.06-08.47 Why did the Crusaders have to capture Antioch?
08.48-14.22 Baldwin at Edessa
14.23-17.14 The political fragmentation of Syria
17.15-27.35 The geography of Antioch
27.36-33.52 Early stages of the siege
33.53-46.35 Winter stalemate. Suffering and desertions. Bohemond and Robert of Flanders drive off forces from Damascus
46.36-54.42 Victory over the forces of Aleppo
54.43-62.18 More fully surrounding the city
62.19-77.09 Antioch falls
77.10-84.24 The Crusaders besieged. Kerbogah attacks from the Citadel
84.25-87.46 Desperation and talk of surrender
87.47-92.03 Alexios goes home
92.04-100.19 The final battle
100.19-107.00 Conclusion

Period: 1097-8

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The route of the First Crusade (bad squiggly lines by Robin)

The Byzantines recover the West Coast of Anatolia while the Crusaders cross the plateau. As they travel the Westerners begin dropping like flies and come to hate the land they’ve come to liberate.

Period: 1097

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The Battle of Dorylaeum by Gustave Doré (19th century)

The Crusaders march out from Nicaea on their way to Antioch. First stop is at Dorylaeum on the Anatolian plateau. But the forces of Kilij Arslan are lying in wait.

Period: 1097

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Battle of Dorylaeum (from Victory in the East by J France)

The Siege of Nicaea and the Turkish attack of 16 May 1097 from Victory in the East by J France

Alexios directs the Crusaders to Nicaea where they set up a siege. Behind the scenes though the Emperor was busy negotiating with the city’s garrison.

Period: 1097

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Bohemond of Antioch by Merry-Joseph Blondel c1800

The senior nobles of the First Crusade make the journey to Constantinople. There Alexios asks them to swear an oath of allegiance to him.

Period: 1096-7

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Peter the Hermit on Crusade. Engraving from painting by Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)

Our narrative resumes as the so-called People’s Crusade crosses the Danube and heads for Constantinople.

Period: 1095-6

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