The word ‘Crusades’, wasn’t used in the beginning, in 1095. Sanctioned by the church, the Crusades were simply military expeditions. They became known as the Crusades later - from the French word croisade, which essentially means ‘marked with the cross’. 

Pope Urban II spent much of the summer of 1095 convening ecclesiastical councils in France. Urban is considered to be the organizer of the First Crusade. The French were the largest contingent.

This statue shows a French Crusader. Note his attire. He's wearing a skirt which we haven't seen on the other knights. His body is covered in armor...but the armor looks much different. Remember each set of armor was made specifically for that knight. It was custom made and could cost as much as a car costs today. Statue is made of resin and has been hand painted.