1097

By place

First Crusade

• Spring - The Crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon attack the Byzantine imperial palace at Blachernae. Norman forces led by Bohemond I join the Crusaders – he is not welcome in Constantinople because his father, Robert Guiscard, has invaded Illyria, and captured the cities of Dyrrhachium and Corfu.
• May 14 - Siege of Nicaea: The Crusaders begin their campaign with the siege of Nicaea, assigning their forces to different sections of the walls, which are well-defended with 200 towers. Towards the end of May an advance party of the Seljuk Turks is defeated by troops of Raymond IV and Robert II.
• June 19 - The Seljuk Turks surrender Nicaea to the Crusaders after a month siege. The Byzantines occupy the city; their commander Manuel Boutoumites is named by Emperor Alexios I as doux of Nicaea. In the consternation the Crusaders are not allowed to plunder the city and are forced to pledge their allegiance to Alexios.
• July 1 - Battle of Dorylaeum: The Crusaders defeat an Seljuk army led by Kilij Arslan I, ruler of the Sultanate of Rum, who wants revenge for the capture of Nicaea. During the battle many Crusaders are killed but the Seljuk Turks are forced to flee and abandon their tents and treasure after being surprised by the arrival of a second Crusader army.
• October 21 - Siege of Antioch: The Crusaders arrive outside the city and begin the siege. They can not impose a complete blockade on Antioch. The Seljuk garrison comes out of the city to harass Crusader siege-lines and intercept supply convoys from Saint Symeon and Alexandretta.
• December 31 - Battle of Harenc: The Crusaders under the command of Bohemond I and Robert II defeat Seljuk forces from Aleppo, which try to relieve besieged Antioch.

  Europe

• April/May - Battle of Gvozd Mountain: In an attempt to win the crown of the Kingdom of Croatia, the Hungarian army crosses the Drava River and invades Croatia. King Peter II of Croatia moves his residency at Knin Castle to defend his kingdom. The two armies meet each other near Gvozd Mountain. After a fierce battle Peter, the last Croatian king, is defeated and killed by the Hungarians.
• Summer - Almoravid forces launch a new campaign in Al-Andalus. Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin, leader of the Almoravid Empire, is honored with the title of Amir al Muslimin.
• August 15 - Battle of Consuegra: The Castilian and Leonese army of King Alfonso VI is defeated by Almoravid forces near the Castle of Consuegra.

  England

• King Donald III is deposed by his nephew Edgar after a 4-year reign. Edgar becomes ruler of Scotland.
• William II orders the construction of Westminster Hall near Westminster Abbey in London. The hall is designed to hold banquets, ceremonies and coronations that take place in the Abbey near by.

  By topic

Religion

• October - Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, goes into exile. Conflicts between him and William II result in Anselm leaving England and heading for Rome. William confiscates Anselm's land.