German King Conrad III Joins the Second Crusade

Timeline

1. 1146Germany · Holy Roman EmpireAt the imperial Christmas court gathering, Conrad III responded to Bernard's crusade appeal, publicly vowing to join the expedition and beginning to mobilize German princes and knights for political and military preparations to depart for the Holy Land the following spring.
2. 1147Germany · Holy Roman EmpireIn 1147 Conrad III led the main body of the German crusaders overland toward Byzantium and Anatolia, forming with the French corps led by King Louis VII the two main forces of the Second Crusade, though coordination and supply problems between the two armies later became one factor in the expedition's failure.