Two Turkish spies spread a rumor after…

Two Turkish spies spread a rumor after the disastrous defeat for the Crusaders in the Siege of Xerigordon  that the Germans who had taken Xerigordon had also taken Nicaea, which causes excitement to get there as soon as possible to share in the looting.

Of course, the Turks are waiting on the road to Nicaea.

Peter the Hermit had gone back to Constantinople to arrange for supplies and is due back soon, and most of the leaders argue to wait for him to return (which he never does).

However, Geoffrey Burel, who has taken command, argues that it is cowardly to wait, and they should move against the Turks right away.

His will prevails and, on the morning of October 21, the entire army marches out toward Nicaea, leaving women, children, the old, and the sick behind at the camp.

Three miles from the camp, where the road enters a narrow, wooded valley near the village of Dracon, the Turkish army is waiting.

When approaching the valley, the crusaders march noisily and are immediately subjected to a hail of arrows.

Panic sets in immediately and within minutes, the army is in full rout back to the camp.

Walter is killed, allegedly pierced by seven arrows.

Most of the crusaders are slaughtered; however, women, children, and those who surrender are spared.

Three thousand, including Geoffrey Burel, are able to obtain refuge in an abandoned castle.

Eventually, imperial troops under Constantine Katakalon sail over and raise the siege, and the survivors of the People’s Crusade return to Constantinople.

Left in Constantinople with the small number of surviving followers during the winter of 1096–1097, with little hope of securing imperial support, the People's Crusade awaits the coming of the armed crusaders as their sole source of protection to complete the pilgrimage.