Why was there no crusade before the 11th century?

by Godtrumperor

The crusades started with the plea for help of Emperor Alexios I and Pope Urban's call for the reconquest of the Holy Land in 1095/96. But said territory had fallen under Muslim rule way back in the 7th century. So why didn't a crusade happen at an earlier date? Or had there been similar attempts (other than by the Byzantines)? If there was no one interested in a crusade earlier where did the "sudden" enthusiasm in the 11th century come from?

J-Force

It's complicated and, to an extent, debated. But I attempted to explain the numerous factors behind the First Crusade (and why it happened in 1095 specifically) here.