Great German Pilgrimage of 1064–65 facts for kids

The Great German Pilgrimage of 1064–1065 was a huge journey to Jerusalem. It happened about 30 years before the First Crusade. Many people from Germany traveled a long way to visit holy places.

The Big Journey Begins

This journey started in the Kingdom of Germany in 1064. Important leaders guided the pilgrims. These included Archbishop Siegfried of Mainz. Also, Bishop William of Utrecht and Bishop Otto of Ratisbon (now Regensburg) joined. Bishop Gunther of Bamberg was another key leader.

Between 7,000 and 12,000 people took part. They came mostly from western and southern Germany. The group included church leaders, nobles, knights, and everyday people. Most of the pilgrims were unarmed. Bishop Gunther seemed to be the main leader of this trip.

The pilgrimage began in November 1064. They traveled through Hungary and Bulgaria. They also passed through a land called Patzinakia. Finally, they reached Constantinople. This route was similar to the one used later by the First Crusade. The pilgrims often faced tough times. They were treated poorly in many places. Once they reached Constantinople, they were quickly sent into Anatolia.

Challenges Along the Way

The pilgrims continued through Anatolia and Cilicia. These areas were not yet taken over by the Seljuk Turks. This was different from when the crusades happened later. Their problems grew when they reached Latakia. This was the last city controlled by the Byzantine Empire. After Latakia, they would enter Muslim lands.

In Latakia, they met other travelers. These people warned them about dangers further south. When they arrived in Tripoli, Lebanon, they were attacked. The emir (ruler) of the city attacked them. But a big storm saved them. The pilgrims believed this storm was a miracle.

Attacks and Rescue

On Holy Thursday, they reached Caesarea. Then, on March 25, which was Good Friday, bandits attacked them. These attackers were Bedouin people. Many pilgrims chose not to fight back. They did this because of their religious beliefs. However, some tried to defend themselves.

One story says Bishop William of Utrecht was killed. But he actually survived and lived until 1076. The pilgrims ran to a nearby fort. They defended themselves there. They suffered from being very tired, hot, and thirsty.

On Easter Sunday, the Bedouin leaders met with Bishop Gunther. They agreed to a truce, which is a temporary stop to fighting. But the Bedouins still threatened to kill the pilgrims. Bishop Gunther then took the Bedouin leaders as prisoners. He threatened to execute them if the attacks continued. This stopped the remaining bandits from attacking again.

Reaching Jerusalem and Returning Home

On Easter Monday, the Fatimid governor of Ramla helped them. He drove off the Bedouins and freed the pilgrims. The group then rested in Ramla for two weeks. They finally arrived in Jerusalem on April 12.

After spending 13 days in Jerusalem, they returned to Ramla. It seems they took ships from Jaffa to Latakia. This helped them avoid the dangerous land route. From Latakia, they traveled back through Asia Minor and Hungary to Germany.

Sadly, Bishop Gunther of Bamberg died on July 23. He passed away in Oedenburg due to an illness. He had made his confession before he died. A writer at the time said many did not return. "Out of seven thousand, not two thousand returned," he wrote.

What We Learned From the Pilgrimage

The difficult experiences of these pilgrims show something important. It highlights how dangerous it was becoming for travelers to Jerusalem. This was especially true in the second half of the 11th century. This event was one of many similar incidents.

This pilgrimage might not have directly started the idea of crusades. But it was certainly used as a reason for the First Crusade. That big event began about 30 years after this pilgrimage.

The Ezzolied is an important poem from that time. A priest named Ezzo wrote it. He composed it either during or just before this pilgrimage. It is a key example of poetry from that period.

Sources

• Annales Altahenses Maiores, 8, a. 1065, MGH, SS. XX. 815–17, trans. James Brundage, "The Crusades: A Documentary History", (Milwaukee, WI: Marquette University Press, 1962) (online)