Norwegian Crusade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norwegian Crusade |
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 King Sigurd sails from the country by Gerhard Munthe. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
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Christendom:  Republic of Venice |
 Fatimid Caliphate |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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 Ordelafo Faliero |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| Norwegians: ~ 5,000 men, 60 galleys |
Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Two towns may have been destroyed in Iberia. Many people killed in other places. | ||||||||
The Norwegian Crusade was a special journey and series of battles led by King Sigurd I of Norway. It happened between 1107 and 1110. This event was part of a bigger series of religious wars called the Crusades, where European countries fought against Muslim groups in places like Turkey and the Middle East.
King Sigurd was the very first European king to travel all the way to the Holy Land (a region important to many religions) on a crusade. He was known for not losing any battles during his journey. His crusade was a bit like the earlier Viking raids, but with a religious purpose.
Contents
What Was the Norwegian Crusade?
The Norwegian Crusade was a military trip that King Sigurd I of Norway took with his army. They sailed from Norway and traveled through many different places. Their main goal was to help the Christian kingdoms in the Middle East. They fought against Muslim groups who controlled parts of the Holy Land.
King Sigurd's Long Journey
King Sigurd started his journey in 1107 with about 5,000 men and 60 galley ships. These were long, narrow ships often powered by oars. They sailed from Norway, heading south. Along the way, they stopped in various places, including England, France, and Spain.
Battles Along the Way
As they sailed, King Sigurd and his men fought battles in different areas. They battled against pirates in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal). They also fought in the Balearic Islands, which are islands in the Mediterranean Sea. These fights helped them gain supplies and show their strength.
Reaching the Holy Land
After their long journey, the Norwegian crusaders finally reached the Holy Land. They arrived in Palestine in 1110. Here, King Sigurd met with Baldwin I of Jerusalem, who was the King of Jerusalem at that time. Together, they planned their next steps.
The Siege of Sidon
One of the most important events of the Norwegian Crusade was the Siege of Sidon. Sidon was a city on the coast, controlled by the Fatimid Caliphate, a Muslim group. King Sigurd and King Baldwin worked together to attack the city. The Norwegians helped by attacking from the sea with their ships.
The siege was successful, and the crusaders took control of Sidon. This was a big victory for them. After this, the Lordship of Sidon was created, which was a new area controlled by the crusaders.
Returning Home to Norway
After their victories, King Sigurd and his men began their journey back to Norway. Unlike many crusaders who traveled by sea both ways, King Sigurd chose to travel back over land. He went through places like Constantinople (now Istanbul) and Hungary. He finally returned to Norway in 1111.
Images for kids
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King Sigurd is leaving his country by Gerhard Munthe (1899).
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King Sigurd and King Baldvine ride from Jerusalem to the river Jordan by Gerhard Munthe (1899).
See also
In Spanish: Cruzada noruega para niños
