The Relationships between Armenian-Crusade during the first and second Crusade

The Crusades, which were one of the most important events in medieval history, brought Franks and Armenians who were the two different cultures sharing common religious heritage in the east together. Armenians caused the Crusades more than Byzantines. Armenians requested Pope Gregory VII?s help to save East Christians 15 years before The Crusades. This idea, which was not supported in the conditions of that era, came to daylight when Byzantinian Emperor Alexios Komnenos demanded legionnaires from the western countries to stop Turkish growth. Nevertheless, Byzantium, who requested just legionnaires, didn?t expect this demand to turn into the Crusades. Therefore, while Byzantium was doubtful against the Crusades, Armenians welcomed them. When the Crusaders arrived in Anatolia in the late 11th century, there were small independent principates which were deprived of political unity. These principates, which were wedged between Byzantine and Turkish dominances, expected to gain their freedom and supported the Crusaders during the Crusaders the first and the second However, the Crusader decided to be dominant in the areas where the majority were Armenians and married to the daughters of Armenian prominents to strengthen their influence in the area. Armenians became the side to determine the desting of the Crusade the first by supporting the establishments of County of Edessa and Crusader State of Antioch which would divide Muslim world into two parts. However, before too long, the Crusaders began to occupy Armenian principates. Especially, Crusader State of Antioch chose Cilicia, which was considered as the native land by Armenian people, to out. As for Armenians, they were disappointed by the Crusaders who they had considered as the savior and supported in many ways.