During the First Crusade, the
retook Jerusalem. Most went home, but some stayed and established Christian city-states in
and Palestine.
During the First Crusade, the Crusaders successfully retook Jerusalem in 1099. It was one of the main objectives of the Crusade, and after a brutal siege, the city fell to the Christian forces. Many Crusaders then returned to their homes in Western Europe, considering their mission accomplished.
However, not all Crusaders left the region. Some decided to stay and establish Christian settlements in the newly conquered territories. These settlements came to be known as Christian city-states or Crusader states. The three main Christian city-states established were the County of Edessa, the Principality of Antioch, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The County of Edessa was the first Crusader state to be created after the First Crusade. It was established in 1098 and centered around the city of Edessa, which is located in modern-day Turkey. The County of Edessa was relatively small and vulnerable, and it fell to Muslim forces led by the famous Kurdish general Salah-ad-Din (Saladin) in 1144.
The Principality of Antioch was established in 1098 and encompassed the city of Antioch, which is located in modern-day Turkey. It was the largest and most powerful of the Crusader states, but it faced numerous conflicts with both Muslim and Byzantine forces. The principality managed to survive several attacks but was eventually captured by Salah-ad-Din in 1268.
The Kingdom of Jerusalem was the most significant and famous Christian city-state in the region. It was established in 1099 and encompassed the city of Jerusalem and its surrounding territories. The Kingdom of Jerusalem lasted for nearly 200 years and played a crucial role in the history of the Crusades. It faced constant threats from Muslim forces and faced several major battles, including the famous Battle of Hattin in 1187, which resulted in the loss of Jerusalem to Salah-ad-Din. The kingdom was subsequently diminished but survived until it was finally conquered by the Mamluks in 1291.
These Christian city-states in the region of modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Palestine were significant for a period of time. They allowed the Crusaders to maintain a presence in the Holy Land, establishing a foothold for Christian rule. However, over the years, Muslim forces gradually retook control of the region, and the Christian city-states eventually fell one by one. Nevertheless, they left a lasting impact on the history and memory of the Crusades and the interactions between Christians and Muslims in the region.