Between the years 1096 and 1099 the first crusade occurred. This crusade was characterized by the mobilization of a large army composed mostly of French and German knights, who responded to the call of Pope Urban II to conquer the Holy Land. A large number of men from the most modest classes followed.
The attacks on Jewish villages in Germany were not caused by fear of their military power. The main motivation to carry out these acts of violence was the provisioning of these armies marching towards Jerusalem, which did not have the necessary preparation.
The Crusaders justified these attacks by claiming that both Jews and Muslims were enemies of Christ.
