What was the peasants' crusade and how did it end?

Answer 1

The Peasants' Crusade, which occurred in 1096, was an informal and largely unorganized precursor to the First Crusade, where thousands of impoverished peasants and lower-class individuals set out to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. Led by figures like Peter the Hermit, the crusaders faced significant challenges, including lack of supplies and military training. The campaign ended disastrously as they encountered hostility from local populations and were eventually defeated by the Seljuk Turks in Asia Minor, with most participants killed or captured. This failure highlighted the need for better organization and resources in subsequent crusading efforts.