Emicho

Who is Emicho?

Count Emicho, was a count in the Rhineland in the late 11th century and the leader of the "German Crusade" in 1096. He is also commonly referred to as Emicho of Leiningen or Emich of Flonheim.

The original idea for the First Crusade that had been preached by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont in 1095 had already turned into a much different popular movement, led by Peter the Hermit. Peter's preaching of the Crusade spread much more quickly than the official versions of Urban's call. Peter's version, which probably involved the Second Coming of Jesus, influenced Emicho, who spread his own story that Christ had appeared to him. And infused with the teachings of the Gospel of Luke he was chosen to fulfill the "end of times" Prophecy. Emicho envisioned that he would march on Constantinople and overcome the Forces there, taking over the title of "last World Emperor" in accordance with Canonical prophetic tradition. All Christian armies, Latin & Greek, would then unite and march to seize Jerusalem from the Saracens thus prompting the Second Coming and denouement with the Antichrist. Inspired by such exulting promises, a few thousand Franks and Germans merged and marched east in April of 1096.