The holy lands have long been an area of conflict. For over one thousand years Christians, Muslims, and Jews have been fighting for control. No conflict in the holy lands has been more impactful than the first crusade. The first crusade started in the year 1096 and ended in the year 1099. A total of 23,100 crusaders had lost their lives in the name of their religion. The first crusade resulted in a change in the church, the first crusade helped militarize the church and increased the pope's control. It changed many of the European flags which now incorporate a cross.