First Crusade - Page 6 of 21

Of Armies and Mobs

Other leaders and groups were hardly more than mobs. Emich of Leiningen and Volkmar, led groups that moved through the Rhenish towns murdering hundreds of Jews and looting their possessions. These bands travelled separately from Peter and Walter's army. Their ill-discipline brought them to a bad end in Hungary. There they tried the same bullying and plundering tactics and soon found themselves facing a Hungarian army. The crusaders were completely routed and disbanded.

The largest force belonged to Peter and Walter, and this army entered Byzantine territory in the summer of 1096. It was not at all what the emperor had envisioned. Alarmed by reports of looting and pitched battles, Alexius sent an army to escort the crusaders. Disagreements escalated to conflict and by the time he reached Constantinople, Peter had lost a quarter of his army.

History of Western Civilization

Boise State University
Last Revised 1 August 1996