Peter the Hermit
Peter the Hermit was a priest of Amiens and a key figure during the First Crusade.
What did Peter the hermit do in the Crusades?
Peter the Hermit. Peter the Hermit was a French preacher at the time when Pope Urban II (see entry) called for a Crusade, or holy war, against the forces of Islam in Palestine and Jerusalem. The pope demanded that Christians, both rich and poor, go to the Holy Land and end the centuries-long Muslim occupation there.
Who preached the First Crusade?
Still, only one man preached the first Crusade, and inspired the crusaders, from its early inception, to its final battle…Peter the Hermit. 1850. “Peter the Hermit, and the First Crusade.”
When did Peter the hermit visit the Holy Land?
Peter the Hermit may have visited the Holy Land in 1093, but it wasn't until after Pope Urban II made his speech in 1095 that he began a tour of France and Germany, preaching the merits of the crusade as he went.
Where did Peter the hermit recruit from?
Peter was able to recruit from England, Lorraine, France, and Flanders. Peter the Hermit arrived in Cologne, Germany, on Holy Saturday, the 12th of April in 1096. In Germany in spring 1096 Peter was one of the prominent leaders of crusaders involved in the Rhineland massacres against the Jews.
What is the name of the priest who was a priest during the People's Crusade?
Other names. Cucupeter, Little Peter or Peter of Amiens. Occupation. Priest. Church. Catholic church. Peter the Hermit ( c. 1050 – 8 July 1115 or 1131), also known as Little Peter or Peter of Amiens, was a priest of Amiens and a key figure during the People's Crusade, the Rhineland massacres, and the First Crusade.
What was the crusade of the paupers?
This part of the First Crusade was also known as the crusade of the "paupers", a term which in the Middle Ages indicated a status as impoverished or mendicant wards of the Roman Catholic Church. Peter organized and guided the paupers as a spiritually purified and holy group of pilgrims who would, supposedly, be protected by the Holy Ghost. It is also possible that the People's Crusade also included well-armed soldiers and nobles. (A list of known participants in Peter's army can be found at The Digital Humanities Institute. )
What happened in 1096?
1096 Siege of Nish (1337) Before reaching Constantinople though, Peter and his followers began to experience difficulty. In Zemun, the governor, who was descendant of a Ghuzz Turk, and a colleague, were frightened by the army's size and decided to tighten regulations on a frontier.
Where did Peter the Hermit go on his crusade?
Peter was able to recruit from England, Lorraine, France, and Flanders. Peter the Hermit arrived in Cologne, Germany, on Holy Saturday, the 12th of April in 1096. In the spring of 1096 Peter was one of the prominent crusader leaders involved in the Rhineland massacres against the Jews. Peter and his followers participated in the torture and slaughter of Jews in Lorraine, Cologne, and Mainz. In Mainz, Peter's followers killed a large group of Jews that had been granted refuge by a local bishop.
How did the Turks capture the castle?
They captured the castle by taking possession of the castle's spring and well. After setting off to Civetot, they had set up camp near a village called Dracon. This is where the Turks ambushed Peter and his forces. This was the final battle of the People's Crusade that Peter led.
Why did Peter return to Constantinople?
Peter returned in desperation to Constantinople, seeking the Emperor's help. In Peter's absence, the pilgrims were ambushed and cut to pieces in detail by the Turks, who were more disciplined, at the Battle of Civetot.
Where did Peter go in 1099?
At the end of 1099, Peter went to Latakia, and sailed thence for the West. From this time he disappears from the historical record. Albert of Aix records that he died in 1131, as prior of a church of the Holy Sepulchre which he had founded in France.
What were the Crusades?
Crusades, military expeditions, beginning in the late 11th century, that were organized by western European Christians in response to centuries of Muslim wars of expansion. Their objectives were to check the spread of Islam, to retake control of the Holy Land in the eastern Mediterranean, to conquer pagan areas, and…
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ...
Where did the Crusaders advance?
On August 6 the Crusaders advanced to Nicomedia (modern Izmir, Turkey). Unable to maintain discipline, Peter soon returned to Constantinople to seek help from the Byzantine emperor, Alexius I. In his absence, most of his army was annihilated (October 21) by the Turks.
When did Peter visit the Holy Land?
Peter reputedly visited the Holy Land about 1093.
Who was Peter the Hermit?
1050, probably Amiens, France—died July 8, 1115, Neufmoustier, near Huy, Flanders [now in Belgium]), ascetic and monastic founder, considered one of the most important preachers of the First Crusade. He was also, with Walter Sansavoir, one of the leaders of the so-called People’s Crusade, ...
What happened in 1094?
The years 1094 and 1095 had been bad ones throughout the land, with drought, or lack of rain, resulting in ruined crops. Peasants were ready, if not desperate, for a change. Peter's words, which promised salvation, or deliverance, to the faithful, fell on their ears like water on dry lips.
What were the problems in the years 1094 and 1095?
The years 1094 and 1095 had been bad ones throughout the land, with drought, or lack of rain, resulting in ruined crops. Peasants were ready, if not desperate, for a change. Peter's words, which promised salvation, or deliverance, to the faithful, fell on their ears like water on dry lips. Among the faithful was a knight who would help organize this mass of people.
What did Peter and his band of amateur soldiers wear?
They carried banners with the Holy Cross emblazoned (stitched) on them, and on their shoulders they all wore a patch of white in the shape of a cross.
How long did it take Peter and his people to reach Constantinople?
It took Peter and his people four months to make the journey, but finally, in August 1096, they reached Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, or the eastern Roman Empire, and the seat of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, as opposed to Rome, which was the center of the Roman Catholic Church.
What did the Pope say about the Holy Land?
The pope demanded that Christians, both rich and poor, go to the Holy Land and end the centuries-long Muslim occupation there . Peter, a poor, ragged preacher living in the French region of Flanders, took the pope's words to heart.
Why did Peter travel to the Holy Land?
Legend has it that Peter traveled to the Holy Land in 1093 as a pilgrim (religious traveler) anxious to visit the places associated with Jesus Christ. However, since about 1070 Jerusalem had been occupied by the Turks.
Where was Peter the Hermit born?
Peter the Hermit was born around 1050 in Amiens, France. Little is known about his early life. Some historians think he may have been the son of a Norman knight and that he was perhaps a soldier before turning to religion. There is no record of when or how he started preaching, or even if he was actually a confirmed (church-appointed) priest. It is also not known how he came by the name "hermit," for religious hermits were those who remained apart from the world, living alone and devoting their lives to religion. However, Peter most definitely went out into the world. By the early 1090s he already had thousands of followers in France. He traveled around the countryside in the area of Île-de-France, near Paris, and also in Normandy, Champagne, and Picardy, speaking to crowds of people at open-air meetings and relying on gifts from the faithful to see him through financially.
What kept the Crusaders from coming up with a plan sufficient to take Jerusalem?
Infighting and internal disagreement kept the Crusaders from coming up with a plan sufficient to take Jerusalem. It was on July 6, 1099, Peter Desiderius speaking on behalf of the now dead papal legate, Adhemar, rebuked the armies and called them to take Jerusalem (Madden, 33).
What was the name of the army that was en route to Antioch?
News reached the Crusaders that a massive army called the “Kerbogha” was en route to Antioch. “Decimated by hunger and disease, the crusade was in serious danger of being crushed between the Turkish forces and the walls of Antioch” (Madden, 27).
How many followers did Peter have?
Peter, though a short man (Stark, 115) was a powerfully convincing preacher. According to Stark “…his train of followers is thought to have numbered fifteen thousand men, women, and children” (Stark, 116).
Who captured William the Carpenter?
William was captured by “…Tancred, a young Norman prince…and brought them back in utter disgrace” (Kostick, 37). Rodney Stark confirms this suspicion of Kostick when he writes, “…Peter the Hermit and William the Carpenter…deserted and headed for Constantinople. Bohemond’s nephew Tancred pursued them and brought them back in disgrace” (Stark, 149).
When did the first Crusade start?
The departure date for the first Crusade was set for August 15, 1096. However, there were some, like Peter the Hermit, who were poised to get to Jerusalem first. Despite caution from Pope Urban II that those “unfit for bearing arms” (Stark, 115) should not attempt to make the 2,000 mile trip to Jerusalem (Kostick, 32). Men like Peter the Hermit did not heed this warning. Instead, preaching passionately to the masses from town to town, he gathered a multitude “…of peasants and villagers, including many women and children” (Stark, 115).
Did Peter the Hermit die in the massacre?
Surprisingly, Peter the Hermit somehow survived the massacre and would live to join the first official wave of Crusaders. Having led thousands to massacre by his passionate preaching it is astonishing that he did not die with his men on the battlefield.
Was Peter the Hermit a fool?
There are many conclusions that might be drawn regarding the life of Peter the Hermit. It could be argu ed that he was a coward, a fool, a lunatic, a fearless leader, a deserter, or a devoted minister of Christ. Whatever may be said of Peter the Hermit, whether good or bad, it is without question that Peter the Hermit stands out as one of the most inspirational preachers of the first Crusade. His sermons, whether they are written off as delusional, inspirational, or fraudulent, nevertheless inspired thousands upon thousands of Crusaders to go into the battle. It’s true that Pope Urban II issued the decree to go to Jerusalem, and other priests and bishops led, mediated, and inspired. Still, only one man preached the first Crusade, and inspired the crusaders, from its early inception, to its final battle…Peter the Hermit.
Where was William of Tyre born?
William was born about 1130, perhaps in Jerusalem, and probably spent some of his boyhood there (William of Tyre, A History of Deeds done beyond the Sea, trans Babcock, E.W. and Krey, A.C. (New York 1943) I pp. 6, 8 Google Scholar; Knoch p. 29.
Who was the most successful ascetic warmonger?
Every student of the early church is familiar with militant monks and hermits. It was once believed that Peter, their spiritual descendant, was the most supremely successful of all the ascetic warmongers.
Who published Peter the Hermit?
Extract. Just over a century ago Heinrich Hagenmeyer published his definitive book on Peter the Hermit. It has shaped most subsequent discussions of Peter’s career, and it must be said at once that no completely new material has come to light since then.
Overview
Crusade to the Holy Land
Before Peter went on his crusade he received permission from Patriarch Simeon II of Jerusalem. Peter was able to recruit from England, Lorraine, France, and Flanders. Peter the Hermit arrived in Cologne, Germany, on Holy Saturday, 12 April in 1096. In the spring of 1096 Peter was one of the prominent crusader leaders involved in the Rhineland massacres against the Jews. Peter and his fol…
Family
He is called Pierre l'Ermite in French. The structure of this name in French unlike in English has led some francophone scholars to treat l'Ermite as a surname rather than a title.
According to some authors, he was born around 1050 and was the son of Renauld L'Ermite of Auvergne, and his wife Alide Montaigu, de Picardie. Others claim he was a member of the L'Hermite family of Auvergne in the Netherlands. These claims are disputed by other authors, wh…
Before 1096
According to Anna Komnene's Alexiad, Peter attempted a pilgrimage to Jerusalem before 1096, but was prevented by the Seljuk Turks from reaching his goal and was reportedly mistreated. This experience caused him to preach inflammatory statements about the Turks to upset Christians. However, doubts remain whether he ever made such a journey.
Sources differ as to whether he was present at Pope Urban II's famous Council of Clermont in 109…
Role in preaching First Crusade
Albert of Aix in his Historia Hierosolymitanae Expeditionis claims that Peter the Hermit was the true author and originator of the First Crusade. This story later appears in the pages of William of Tyre, which indicates that even a few generations after the crusade, the descendants of the crusaders believed Peter was its originator. This myth was dismissed by modern historians beginning with Heinrich von Sybel. Various historical sources also recount that during an early vi…
Later life
There is very little concrete record for his life after returning to Europe and much of what is known is speculation or legend. However, Albert of Aix records that he died in 1131, as prior of a church of the Holy Sepulchre which he had founded in France or Flanders. It is thought that during the Siege of Antioch during the days of famine and cold weather, Peter attempted to flee only to be captured b…
Legend
Since his death various legends have sprung up around Peter. One legend has its roots in the writings of Jacques de Vitry, who found it convenient to convince people from the bishopric of Liège of the merits of participating in the Albigensian Crusade by manipulating the story of Peter.
Another legend is given in the 14th century by the French troubadour Jehan-de-…
Sources
• "Peter the Hermit", Famous Men of the Middle Ages
• Prof. J. S. C. Riley-Smith, Prof, Jonathan Phillips, Dr. Alan V. Murray, Dr. Guy Perry, Dr. Nicholas Morton, A Database of Crusaders to the Holy Land, 1099-1149 (available on-line)
A Man of Mystery
- Peter the Hermit was born around 1050 in Amiens, France. Little is known about his early life. Some historians think he may have been the son of a Norman knight and that he was perhaps a soldier before turning to religion. There is no record of when or how he started preaching, or even if he was actually a confirmed (church-appointed) priest. It is also not known how he came by th…
The People's Crusade
- While in the company of loyal followers, Peter traveled throughout France, preaching at Berry, in Champagne, and in Lorraine. He collected money from noblemen to make the trip to the Holy Land and assembled a growing band of very unlikely soldiers to serve God. He and his crowd even received money from the Jews of Europe, a group at odds with Chris...
The Holy Cross
- When Peter and his ragtag band of amateur soldiers set off for the Holy Land, they must have made an amazing impression on people along the route. With Peter at the front on his donkey, the knights coming behind on horseback, and the swarms of poor people following on foot, their parade stretched across the horizon. They carried banners with the Holy Cross emblazoned (stit…
For More Information
- Books
Comnena, Anna. The Alexiad of Anna Comnena.Translated by E. R. A. Sewter. Baltimore, MD: Penguin, 1969. Goodsell, Daniel Ayres. Peter the Hermit: A Story of Enthusiasm. New York: Eaton and Mains, 1906. Krey, August C., ed. The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eye-witnesses andPart… - Web Sites
"Ill-Fated Crusade of the Poor People." About's Medieval History and theRenaissance.http://historymedren.about.com/library/prm/bl1poorpeople.htm(accessed on July 21, 2004). "People's Crusade." The Crusades Bookstore.http://www.brighton73.freeserve.co.uk/fi…