The First Crusade ended in July 1099 with the successful Crusader siege of Jerusalem, the subsequent massacre of its inhabitants, and the decisive victory at the Battle of Ascalon.
The conclusion of this three-year military expedition changed the political map of the Near East. It resulted in the establishment of four Latin Crusader states and opened the region to Western European influence for nearly two centuries.
Most historical accounts focus solely on the walls of Jerusalem. Yet, the true end of the First Crusade involved more than just breaching a gate. It required a final, desperate defense against the Fatimid Caliphate and complex political maneuvering to decide who would rule the newly captured Holy Land.
This guide examines the final days of the campaign, the brutal reality of the siege, and the immediate aftermath that solidified the Crusader victory.
The Road To The Holy City
By June 1099, the Crusader force was a shadow of the army that had left Europe three years earlier. Disease, starvation, and constant warfare had reduced their numbers significantly. Only about 1,300 knights and 12,000 infantrymen remained fit for duty.
They marched from Lebanon down the coast, bypassing strongholds like Acre and Caesarea to reach their ultimate goal. On June 7, 1099, the Crusaders finally arrived at Jerusalem.
The sight of the city walls inspired religious fervor, but the tactical situation was grim. The Fatimid governor, Iftikhar ad-Daula, had prepared well:
- Expelled Christians — He removed Christian inhabitants from the city to prevent treason.
- Poisoned wells — All water sources outside the walls were poisoned or filled in.
- Stockpiled food — The garrison was well-fed, while the besiegers immediately faced starvation and dehydration.
The Crusaders lacked the siege engines necessary to breach the formidable fortifications. Without ladders, towers, or catapults, they were essentially trapped outside the walls under the scorching summer sun.
The Siege Of Jerusalem In 1099
The initial attempt to take the city on June 13 failed miserably. A hermit on the Mount of Olives had predicted victory, but the Crusaders attacked with only one ladder. They were easily repelled. This failure drove home a hard reality: they needed heavy machinery.
Building The Engines Of War
Luck turned when a fleet of Genoese and English ships arrived at Jaffa. These ships carried vital supplies and, more importantly, wood and tools. The Crusaders dismantled the ships to harvest timber, as the area around Jerusalem was almost entirely devoid of trees.
Under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond of Saint-Gilles, the army spent weeks constructing two massive siege towers, mangonels, and battering rams. The work was grueling. Water had to be carried from six miles away, and many workers died of thirst while swinging hammers.
The Penitential Procession — Morale hit rock bottom in early July. To restore unity, the clergy ordered a barefoot procession around the city walls. The Crusaders fasted and prayed, mimicking the biblical siege of Jericho. This religious act restored discipline among the fracturing leadership.
The Final Assault On The Walls
The attack began on the night of July 13, 1099. The Crusaders employed a clever tactical feint. They spent days building their siege tower in one location, only to dismantle it and move it to a weaker section of the wall under the cover of darkness.
The battle raged for two days. The defenders rained Greek fire and arrows down on the wooden towers. The Crusaders countered by hanging wet animal skins on their machines to dampen the flames.
Breaking The Defenses
On the morning of July 15, Godfrey of Bouillon’s tower managed to bridge the gap at the north wall. His men lowered the drawbridge. Two Flemish knights, Lethold and Gilbert of Tournai, were the first to cross onto the ramparts, followed closely by Godfrey.
Panic spread among the Fatimid defenders. Once the Crusaders controlled a section of the wall, they opened the Saint Stephen’s Gate. The main Crusader army poured into the city. The defense collapsed almost instantly.
The Massacre And The Aftermath
The capture of Jerusalem is infamous for the brutality that followed. Historical chronicles describe a scene of horrific violence. The Crusaders, fueled by three years of hardship and religious zeal, slaughtered the city’s inhabitants.
This violence was not random but a grim standard of medieval warfare for cities that refused to surrender. However, the scale of the massacre in Jerusalem was exceptional.
- Muslim inhabitants — Thousands fled to the Al-Aqsa Mosque seeking sanctuary. Tancred, a Norman leader, promised them protection, giving them his banner. However, other Crusaders ignored this and massacred the refugees the next morning.
- Jewish community — The Jews of Jerusalem, who had defended their quarter of the city, took refuge in their main synagogue. The Crusaders set fire to the building, killing everyone inside.
- Total casualties — Estimates vary wildly, but contemporary sources claim tens of thousands were killed. The streets were reportedly ankle-deep in blood.
This event solidified a deep enmity between the Crusaders and the Muslim world. While the tactical victory was complete, the moral stain of the massacre would serve as a rallying cry for future Muslim counter-attacks.
The Battle Of Ascalon: The True Military End
Many history books stop at the capture of Jerusalem. However, if you ask exactly how Did The First Crusade End? from a military standpoint, you must look to Ascalon. The capture of the city did not end the threat. A massive Fatimid relief army from Egypt was marching north to retake Jerusalem.
Led by the vizier al-Afdal Shahanshah, this force outnumbered the Crusaders significantly. If they reached Jerusalem, the exhausted Latin army likely would have been starved out.
The Surprise Attack
Godfrey of Bouillon did not wait for the siege. He gathered the remaining knights—roughly 1,200 cavalry and 9,000 infantry—and marched out to meet the enemy.
On August 12, 1099, the Crusaders caught the Fatimid camp by surprise near Ascalon (modern-day Ashkelon). The Crusaders attacked at dawn. The Egyptian army, though larger, was unprepared and sluggish. The charge of the heavy Frankish cavalry shattered their lines before they could form up.
The victory was total. The Fatimid vizier fled by ship, and his army was routed. This victory secured the safety of Jerusalem and effectively ended the organized military resistance against the First Crusade.
Establishing The Crusader States
With the military campaign over, the political reality set in. The leaders had to decide who would rule these new lands. This process marked the transition from a traveling army to a settled state.
Raymond of Saint-Gilles was the most powerful noble and was initially offered the crown. He declined, perhaps hoping to look pious or expecting the others to beg him. This backfired.
Godfrey of Bouillon accepted the leadership but refused the title of “King.” He reportedly said he would not wear a crown of gold where Jesus had worn a crown of thorns. Instead, he took the title Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri (Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre).
The Four States
The end of the Crusade resulted in four distinct political entities in the Levant:
- Kingdom of Jerusalem — The central power, holding the holy sites.
- County of Edessa — Established early in the campaign by Baldwin of Boulogne in 1098.
- Principality of Antioch — Ruled by Bohemond, securing the northern flank.
- County of Tripoli — Established slightly later by Raymond of Saint-Gilles.
How Did The First Crusade End? – Long Term Impact
The success of the First Crusade was a shock to both the Christian and Muslim worlds. No one expected a disjointed group of European princes to march thousands of miles and dismantle local powers.
The immediate result was a massive wave of “reverse pilgrimage.” Many Crusaders, feeling their vows were fulfilled, simply went home. They took their loot and relics back to France and Germany, leaving the new Kingdom of Jerusalem dangerously short on manpower.
This shortage of soldiers led to the creation of the Military Orders, such as the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers. These monk-knights became the standing army necessary to defend the gains of 1099.
The end of the First Crusade also opened up trade routes. Italian maritime republics like Venice, Genoa, and Pisa established commercial colonies in the coastal cities, fueling the European economy.
Why This Crusade Succeeded
Analyzing the end of this campaign reveals why it succeeded where later Crusades failed. It was a perfect storm of timing and fanaticism.
Muslim Disunity — The Great Seljuk Empire was fracturing. The Sunni Seljuks and the Shia Fatimids hated each other more than they hated the Christians. This allowed the Crusaders to defeat them piecemeal.
Desperation — By the time they reached Jerusalem, the Crusaders had no line of retreat. They had to win or die. This desperation fueled the final, suicidal assaults on the walls.
Key Takeaways: How Did The First Crusade End?
➤ The Crusade ended militarily with the Siege of Jerusalem in July 1099.
➤ Heavy siege towers and Genoese supplies were vital for the final victory.
➤ The Battle of Ascalon in August 1099 secured the Crusader presence.
➤ Godfrey of Bouillon became the first ruler but refused the title of King.
➤ Most Crusaders returned to Europe immediately after fulfilling their vows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the First Crusade achieve its main goal?
Yes. The primary objective set by Pope Urban II was to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre for Christendom. The Crusaders succeeded in capturing the city in 1099, a feat that subsequent Crusades struggled to replicate. They established Latin rule that lasted in the city for nearly 90 years.
How long did the First Crusade last?
The campaign lasted roughly three years. It began in 1096 following the Council of Clermont and concluded in the summer of 1099 with the capture of Jerusalem and the Battle of Ascalon. The journey involved multiple sieges, including Nicaea and Antioch, before reaching the final destination.
Who was the leader at the end of the Crusade?
There was no single commander, but Godfrey of Bouillon emerged as the primary leader during the siege of Jerusalem. After the victory, he was elected as the ruler of the city. His rival, Raymond of Saint-Gilles, also played a major command role but lost the political struggle for the crown.
What happened to the People’s Crusade?
The “People’s Crusade” was a prelude to the main First Crusade, led by Peter the Hermit. It ended disastrously before the princes even arrived. This peasant army was slaughtered by the Seljuk Turks at Civetot in 1096. Only the subsequent “Princes’ Crusade” succeeded in reaching Jerusalem.
Why was the massacre at Jerusalem significant?
The massacre stained the legacy of the Crusade and hardened Muslim resistance. While brutal sieges were common, the indiscriminate killing of Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem galvanized Islamic leaders. It became a potent propaganda tool that Saladin later used to unite Muslim forces to retake the city in 1187.
Wrapping It Up – How Did The First Crusade End?
The First Crusade ended with a rare mix of military improvisation, extreme brutality, and political establishment. The capture of Jerusalem in July 1099 fulfilled the spiritual vows of the participants, while the victory at Ascalon secured their physical safety.
This success created a new geopolitical reality in the Middle East. The Latin East was born, setting the stage for two centuries of conflict, trade, and cultural exchange. While the Crusade formally ended with the securing of the Holy City, the struggle to hold it had only just begun.