# First Crusade departs (1096)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1096-first-crusade-departs
Location: France and eastern Mediterranean

Many French nobles and knights joined the expedition to Jerusalem. Within the broader West Francia & Early Capetians period, After the Treaty of Verdun, West Francia developed under Carolingian, Robertian and Capetian rulers. Viking settlement, feudal lordship, church reform and expanding royal authority reshaped the kingdom. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Philip I (King of the Franks). First Crusade departs mattered because religion was closely tied to political legitimacy, community identity and public institutions. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
First Crusade departs mattered because religion was closely tied to political legitimacy, community identity and public institutions.

Ruler at the time: [Philip I](https://history-france.com/rulers/philip-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — First Crusade departs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=First+Crusade+departs&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — First Crusade departs](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=First+Crusade+departs)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of French history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_French_history)