Christianity in the 11th century when the Seljuk Turks closed Christian pilgrimages and assailed the Byzantines, defeating them at the Battle of Manzikert. Emperor Alexius I asked for aid from Pope Urban II for help against Islamic aggression. Urban II called upon the knights of Christendom in a speech made at the Council of Clermont on 27 November 1095, combining the idea of pilgrimage to the Holy Land with that of waging a holy war against infidels. The First Crusade captured Antioch in 1099 and then Jerusalem. A traditional numbering scheme for the crusades totals nine during the 11th to 13th centuries. Elements of the
Simon II of Clermont Simon II of Clermont Simon II of Clermont-Nesle (c. 1210 – 1285/86) was Seigneur (Lord) of Ailly, Maulette and Nesle (in Picardy) . Note that there is a great confusion of names and titles within this family and with people with the same or similar names, as with many other medieval lords because of contradictory and incomplete documents. Simon was the eldest son Raoul I of Clermont-Nesle (c. 1185 – c. 1226), Seigneur of Ailly, Maulette, and perhaps Nesle "jure uxoris" and the Constable of France, who was son of Simon I, Seigneur of Ailly-sur-Noye , younger brother of Raoul