As the crusaders marched across Asia Minor, there is little attack from Muslim Turks. The weaker rulers did not attempt an attack as the strong reputation that the Crusaders had gain from battles and victories such of that at Dorylaeum, made it very off putting. Then the stronger rulers remained as passive observers, such as that of the situation in which the Fatimids had advanced into Palestine, so the Sunn'i Muslims, as a direct result of Muslim diffractions, did not attack the crusaders so that they would meet with the Shi'ia Muslims in battle, hopefully bringing about their defeat. Here it is obvious that Muslim disunity no doubt contributed to the success of the First Crusade.
Ridwan of Aleppo brought his army to aid the city when surrounded by the crusaders, only for it to be ambushed by them in February 1098, as the army of his brother Kerbogha of Mosul approached. There was a disunity apparent within the siblings themselves, even within the intention of them travelling to Antioch. Kerbogha insisted on attempting a siege of the city, as it seemed that he believed if he conquered Antioch he’d have a chance of taking control of the throne of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, where the political system was in turmoil. It resulted in a full attack with the Franks who had by this time taken over the city, in which as it moved as an advantage to the crusaders, the Muslims abandoned the losing battle. Although Kerbogha’s army was built up of an impressive size, it still had a very fatal weakness; a lack of one Muslim leader. It was built up of many Syrian amirs’, which none of them wanted to see Mosul establish a somewhat control over them, which was the aim of Kerbogha, which resulted in there being many conspiracies against his leadership. This situation was an example of the problems encountered by the Turks in the lack of one Muslim leader.
The diffraction and misjudgement between the Muslims themselves was not the only factor that can be attributed to the success of the First Crusade, rather many other factors contributed to the victories such as that of the strength and skill of the crusading force. There was a strong sense of religious morality within the success of the Crusade, especially in the form of individual beliefs. In that Religion was one of the significant motivation for people to join the crusade, it is unsurprising that many felt that the success was down to “God‘s will”, which is particularly apparent in the siege of Antioch in 1098. Byzantine help was also important in helping the crusaders among their journey. Without the help of the Byzantine Empire and the army travelling with them, the crusaders would never have made it across Asia Minor. Even if the forces of the First Crusade were far from what Alexius had anticipated, he was determined to use them to help win back what was the Byzantine Empire. Extracting oaths from the principal figures that any conquests would be handed over to him, he provided supplies, additional troops and targets. There is also a great importance in the strength and power of the Crusaders aiding success. An example of this was at the Damascus, where it was in fact the skill and underestimation of the crusaders that won the battle. The experienced leadership of some of the crusaders, such as that of Bohemond and Raymond of Toulouse also had an important impact on determining a great success. A combination of their skill and knowledge, and ability to inspire their men proved successful in their intentions.
It seems that Muslim disunity and later the lack of preparation of the Fatimids when they had to defend Jerusalem, certainly contributed to the success’ of the Crusade and was perhaps the most significant factor. However it seems crusading historiography has tended to overlook the part played by the crusaders in their own victory. That victory was achieved by a combination of determination, religious conviction and leadership which was crucial in holding the army together alongside intelligent strategy and skill in fighting.
