The Crusades spanned nearly 200 years, beginning in 1096 and continuing until the end of the 13th century, around 1291. This series of religious and military campaigns was initiated by the Christian states of Europe aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control.
While there were several key Crusades, including the First Crusade (1096-1099) and the Fourth Crusade (1202-1204), the entire period is characterized by a series of overlapping campaigns and conflicts that reflected the complex interplay of religion, politics, and culture during the Middle Ages. Even after the main Crusades had concluded, the effects and the tensions created by these events lingered on in the relations between Christians and Muslims.