1.16 Jerusalem Calling (or Is It Constantinople?)

In March of 1095, envoys sent by the Roman Emperor Alexios I Komnenos arrived at Piacenza to meet with Pope Urban II. This meeting set off a chain of events that ended with the founding of Latin Christian states in the Levant. But why did Alexios send the envoys in the first place? As always, maps and sources available at historyoftheoutremer.wordpress.com and new episodes every other week.