1. Byzantine-Seljuk Conflicts: The Seljuk Turks had expanded their territory into Asia Minor and were encroaching on the Byzantine Empire's territories. Emperor Alexius I saw the Seljuk incursions as a threat to Constantinople and his empire.
2. Appeal for Aid: In 1095, Alexius sent envoys to the Council of Piacenza, presided over by Pope Urban II, seeking military assistance from Western Europe against the Seljuks. Alexius presented his plea emphasizing the urgent need to protect Christendom from Muslim forces.
3. Council of Clermont: In response to Alexius's appeal, Pope Urban II delivered a passionate speech at the Council of Clermont in November 1095, calling upon Western Christians to take up arms and liberate the Holy Land from Muslim control. He promised spiritual rewards, such as remission of sins, to those who participated in the expedition.
4. Urban's Call to Arms: Pope Urban II proclaimed "Deus lo volt" (God wills it), which became the rallying cry of the First Crusade. His message stirred widespread religious fervor and support for the holy expedition among nobles, knights, and ordinary people of Western Europe.
5. Response from the West: Alexius's request and Pope Urban's call prompted an enthusiastic response from nobles, knights, and commoners from various regions of Western Europe. They formed armies and embarked on the journey to liberate the Holy Land and protect the Byzantine Empire.
6. Pilgrimage and Conquest: Many crusaders were motivated by a combination of religious devotion, a desire for adventure, and economic incentives. The capture of Jerusalem in 1099 was seen as a major accomplishment of the First Crusade, resulting in the establishment of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
While Alexius Comnenus' intentions were to secure military support against the Seljuk Turks, the response from Western Europe exceeded his expectations and eventually evolved into the broader historical phenomenon known as the Crusades.