40,000 Lead to Their Death

Precursor to the First Crusade, the People's Crusade ended at Civetot in October 1096. Six months earlier 40,000 men, women and children, mostly simple peasants, set out across Europe for Constantinople and the ultimate destination of Jerusalem. Lead to their death by Peter the Hermit, they were promised freedom from servitude, divine protection, eternity in heaven and the spoils of war. In their wake the hordes attacked and looted Christians, Jews and Muslims alike. They never made it to Jerusalem.