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BATTLE // October 21, 1096

Battle of Civetot

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Source · Wikipedia

Significance

The Battle of Civetot on 21 October 1096 ended the People's Crusade, the disorganized mass movement that had preceded the main baronial expedition to the Holy Land. A Seljuk force under Kilij Arslan I engaged the crusading peasants, who numbered around 20,000 under commanders including Walter Sans-Avoir, Geoffrey Burel, and Constantine Katakalon, inflicting approximately 3,000 casualties. The defeat effectively destroyed the movement as a fighting force. A portion of the survivors subsequently joined the First Crusade, meaning the People's Crusade contributed a remnant of manpower to the organized military expedition that followed, though the main campaign itself had been extinguished at Civetot.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • Seljuk Turks5,000
    medium
  • Crusading peasants20,000
    medium

Crusading peasants fielded a 4.0 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Crusading peasants3,000
    medium15% loss rate

Commanders (5)

Last verified July 2026
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