Why the Crusades Were a Total Disaster for Everyone | History For Sleep

Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian

What really happened during the Crusades? Not the sanitized version — the real story. In this deep-dive documentary, we unravel the chaotic, violent, and often absurd history of the Crusades: from the First Crusade’s apocalyptic bloodbath in Jerusalem, to the Children’s Crusade (yes, that happened), to the unbelievable sack of Constantinople — by Christians, against other Christians.

This isn’t a tale of chivalry and glory. It’s a grim, darkly fascinating saga of starvation, religious mania, political backstabbing, mass murder, and logistical incompetence. We’ll explore:
• Why the First Crusade succeeded (barely)
• How thousands of people died just trying to get there
• The horrifying treatment of Jews, Muslims, and even fellow Christians
• The collapse of the Crusader States and the legacy they left behind
• And why the Fourth Crusade should’ve ended the whole project

Whether you're here for the history, the drama, or the morbid curiosity, this documentary brings the full scope of the Crusades to light — with sarcasm, detail, and a healthy dose of historical skepticism.

🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools

Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend:

• Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4nkFuZD

• Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f

• Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE

• Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn

• Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu

• White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw

These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.