Be that as it may, Count Galdemar was boisterously welcomed at Joppa since these mariners felt themselves much exposed. They rejoiced when he arrived. They got up a banquet of fish, wine, and bread. But that night, feeling secure, they neglected to post lookouts and in darkness here came an Egyptian fleet. So the Genoese, electing to sacrifice their vessels, hurriedly dismantled everything, collecting sails, ropes, and other equipment and quickly got ashore. Count Galdemar escorted these mariners to camp outside Jerusalem, making the best of it, having defeated quite a few enemies on land but losing his grip on the port.
Archbishop William declares in his narrative that these Genoese and English sailors with mallets, spikes, axes, and hatchets brought great joy to the legions surrounding Jerusalem because they were skilled at the art of building, expert at felling trees, smoothing and fitting beams. Which is to say, much that had seemed difficult or impossible was soon accomplished.
On the ides of June this army of God once more attacked. They breached the first wall and they set a ladder against the principal wall, enabling a few knights to gain the top and strike furiously at unbelievers, but they had not ladders enough to take the city by escalade. Throughout that month they continued to assault Jerusalem, enduring much hardship for the love of Christ. Barley bread made with poisonous water caused ague. Infidels surprised and killed many going in search of fresh water. Yet some went down to the river Jordan for baptism a second time, gathering palm branches to celebrate the journey.
Curious events were noted. Guibert de Nogent relates how besiegers and besieged, exhausted by slaughter, promiscuously intermingled. Battalions of children under the direction of child captains would engage in mock struggles, armed with sticks in lieu of swords, using reeds for spears, carrying shields woven of twigs, battling on the plain while their parents watched, Franks emerging from tents, Saracens looking down from the ramparts. It is said the children charged like men, uttering shrill cries. Their captains impersonated adults, one calling himself Bohemond, another Hugh Vermandois. If these little captains saw their soldiers hungry they would go to beg food from the princes after whom they were named. Now and again these childish struggles incited the hearts of adults who could no longer rest quietly but must rush out to continue fighting.
Presently came news of a huge Babylonian army to break the siege. Those in the Frankish host looked at one another and did not know what to think or say because they numbered twelve hundred knights with some nine thousand soldiers afoot. Then through divine intercession Bishop Adhémar manifested himself to the visionary Peter Desiderius.
Speak to the lords and to the people, Bishop Adhémar commanded. Say they must purge themselves of wickedness. Remind them how they have come from distant lands to liberate the Holy City. Then with feet bare let the host march around Jerusalem invoking their Savior. After they have done this, let them attack on the ninth day. Let the pilgrims attack with fury and Jerusalem will be captured. But if they do not, then will the Lord God multiply their trials.
When the priest had spoken of this with Count Ysoard and William Hugo and certain clerics, they summoned the people and the barons.
We have been negligent, said they. We have not reconciled the Lord to us. In various ways we have affronted Him. By wicked deeds have we driven the Lord from our side. Now let each of us be reconciled to his brother. Let those who are offended forgive those who offend them. Let us humble ourselves before God. Let us beseech Him who assumed the flesh, who rode into Jerusalem mounted on an ass to suffer death for our sins. Let us beseech His aid. If with contrite hearts we go in procession around the city of Jerusalem, then will He open the gates to us. Then will He deliver judgment against His enemies who contaminate and corrupt the place of His burial, who withhold the blessing we seek, who deny entrance to the site of our redemption.
Thus it happened on the eighth of July, announced by trumpets. Preceded by clerics and bishops holding aloft sacred relics and crosses, all together the living host marched with feet bare around Jerusalem, which caused Saracens to parade likewise about the walls carrying an emblem of Mahomet on a standard. The infidels shouted insults, blared horns. They made a wood cross like that upon which our merciful Savior poured forth His blood to redeem the world. They beat upon it with sticks, spat upon it, smeared it with filth. Frango agip salip? they screamed, by which they mockingly inquired if the Franks thought it a good cross.
When the host got to the Mount of Olives it seemed they could do no more to purify themselves. They said anew that each should forgive his brother that the Lord might forgive them. Unbelievers clustered on the ramparts of Jerusalem to watch without concern, imagining themselves secure.
If people assert they are not permitted for any reason to take up arms against enemies of the Church, to fight bodily in defense of their belief, it becomes clear that they have been inspired and directed by Satan. If they misuse the authority of Scripture to produce false interpretation, that must be Satan’s voice. So egregious arguments are brought forth to debauch and seduce the credulous or inattentive. Certainly the Church would be devastated by heretics if these were not annihilated since they are without number, past counting, because they renew themselves. What could be more evident? For this reason do we excise decadent flesh, sever putrid limbs. Otherwise what is substantial would deteriorate. Hence the wicked must be destroyed that the good may flourish. Is not the strength of a man’s right arm bequeathed by God? Surely. Therefore the good do not seek peace in order to make war, but rather to arrest the wicked so that all may enjoy the fruits of peace. Consequently the good do not shrink from shedding blood nor inhibit the power of the sword.
Again, some that oppose holy war declare it not in accord with Christian principle since our Lord told Peter to sheathe his sword. Yet has not the Church two functions? Surely. One of production, one of conservation. When the vineyard is planted and bears fruit, must it not be defended? Surely. Or again, has not Christianity differing stages of growth? Does not a man develop out of infancy to old age? Is not this evident? At first our Church was poor and defenseless, now she is rich and able to defend herself. When Christ bade Peter to put up his sword He spoke for that occasion only since the time for use had not arrived. Thus, to make war against Saracens, who are enemies of the Messiah, must not be incompatible with Christianity.
Roger Bacon avows that to attack the infidel will but hinder and delay his conversion, yet such argument is lamentably weak. Just as every man learns through adverse experience, so will the Saracen learn to distrust Mahomet when he is wholly defeated. Nor does any Christian wish him ill but desires to see him get what he deserves, as a judge decrees merited punishment to a thief. Hence, for Saracens to be slain is good and necessary that their turpitude not increase.
Now the living army of God advanced, the hearts of all fired by a single purpose. They would restore Jerusalem to the righteous or give up their lives. Nor could one be found in that zealous host, sick, aged, feeble, young, who did not anticipate what was to come. So did women, disdaining their natural weakliness, pick up arms to fight beyond their strength. And the host marched, holding wicker screens and shields to guard against arrows, stones, and iron darts. They brought forth siege engines but Muslims on the ramparts hung bags of straw and chaff from the walls, tapestries, nets, mattresses stuffed with silk to thwart Christian missiles. The pagans fought bitterly, flung spears, hurled wood bolts wrapped in fiery rags with protruding nails that clung to every surface. Through the air flew clumps of hay drenched in oil and wax, burning pitch, sulfur, clots of flame. Saracen and Christian missiles crashed against each other making a noise that afternoon like the death of Satan. But at nightfall the city held.
Next day two sorceresses leapt and capered among the turrets because of a catapult inflicting much damage. They gesticulated, pranced, shrieked, by evil incantation seeking to bewitch it. And while they summoned the acolytes of darkness a millstone came down, crushed them together with three apprentices. So a hideous spectacl
e vanished from sight. Exultation filled every Christian heart. Applause was heard throughout the ranks. Groans and sighs emanated from Jerusalem.
Anon a spy was caught because a Greek pointed him out. Ma te Christo caco Sarrazin! said he. By Christ, there goes a filthy Saracen!
They demanded of the spy to know his business. He replied that he had been sent to learn what machines the Franks were building. So they trussed him and laid him in a petrary to throw him back where he came from. What happened but ropes broke when the machine hurled him out. Halfway to Jerusalem the spy came apart, feet, legs, arms flying all directions. What led him astray? Ignorance of our Lord.
Atop the Mount of Olives stood a knight holding a luminous shield. Duke Godfrey and his brother Eustace called attention to this. Then the host, its spirit renewed, surged impetuously toward the wall, wishing to be tried again, to sway the course of battle, believing they should draw a better lot and earn the palm. Those who turned away because of wounds or suffering from exhaustion returned to fight with increased ardor. Sacks of cotton and straw were set afire. Black smoke poured into Jerusalem. The defenders felt sickened. Dazed, coughing, they lost hope. They closed their eyes, blind to the glory of God.
At the ninth hour Lethold de Touraine scaled the wall. Was it not ordained that those who fought for Him should consummate their yearning at the very hour when He suffered to reclaim this world? And the pagans, seeing Lethold among them, broke and fled. Down came the drawbright of Godfrey’s castle. He sprang to the wall followed by knights of his train. Tancred, Baldwin du Bourg, Gaston de Béarn, Gérard de Roussillon, Thomas de la Fère, Ludovic de Moncons, and others whose names are lost.
Godfrey directed certain of his men to Saint Stephen’s Gate, which they unbarred so those waiting outside could enter. The army of Christ rushed into Jerusalem shouting with jubilation, swords unsheathed. Nor did they hesitate to strike all they met, recalling how their faith was insulted. Striking, slaying at every turn, God’s name upon their lips, they washed through streets and courtyards faster than the tide. Unbelievers drowned in the blood of unbelievers, since our Lord commanded this to be. Blood splashed the fetlocks of Frankish chargers, splashed against bridle reins. Each drop contributed to the glory. Bodies sprouted arrows. Heads dropped like fruit. Pilgrims chopped off hands, feet, private parts, weeping and mad with lust and joy after the gall they had swallowed. Not since the world began was more blood spilled. Thus did God compensate those infidels who inflicted such anguish upon the living host. Could it be other than His just and splendid judgment? What was this, if not retribution equivalent to the crime? Were not these people involved with error, choked by sin?
Jews beyond number ran screaming and lamenting to their synagogue. Soldiers of Christ put it to the torch. These Israelites burned, every one, even as the prophecy of Daniel told how their anointing must fail. They had not obeyed the voice of our Lord to walk in His laws. So were they reimbursed for helping to defend Jerusalem. In them were united the treachery of Judas, the impiety of Herod, the cruelty of Nero, their hearts exuding ashes of avarice.
Ten thousand heathen sought refuge in the mosque al-Aqsa. Gaston de Béarn and Tancred beheaded them like sheep at market, harvested them like corn. With superstitious ritual had they polluted His sanctuary, the Temple of Solomon. Now, delivering up their lives, they cleansed the sacred precinct. Some fled to the roof hoping to escape but finding no outlet hastily surrendered, pledging silver and gold in exchange for life. Tancred left them secure beneath his standard and proceeded to the Dome of the Rock. There he laid claim to eight precious silver lamps plus other valuables, a good and deserved fortune.
God’s army searched Jerusalem for gold, jewelry, donkeys, horses. They looked for Saracens to kill, looked under beds, opened closets, dragged infidels out of obscurity into public where all might watch them expiate the sin. What is this but a parable of our time? And the host marveled because Jerusalem flaunted such splendid streets, squares, and courts. Once the city was called Aelia Capitolina in homage to Aelius Hadrian who lavishly embellished it.
At sunrise next day, this being one day after Lethold from Touraine accomplished what others dreamt about, certain pilgrims without allegiance to Tancred, some say these were Provençal, climbed to the roof of the mosque. Infidels huddling beneath Tancred’s banner cried out for mercy to no avail. Heads dropped like melons until all were slain, albeit many leapt to death. Narratives say Tancred grew indignant when told of this, having pledged himself to their custody. Also, the gold and silver ransom was lost.
What of Iftikhar? He fled to the Tower of David whence he sent word to Count Raymond promising a heavy purse if he might go free. This seemed good to Raymond. So the governor of Jerusalem and those next to him earned safe passage to Ascalon.
Thus was the Holy City released from bondage on the ides of July in that year of our grace 1099, which is called Dies Veneris for on this day Jesus Christ redeemed the world.
Our Lord did not undertake to liberate Jerusalem but to scatter seeds that grow against the wickedness of Antichrist. This day hath He made, wrote the chaplain Raymond d’Agiles. Let us rejoice and be glad. This day will endure to future ages since it marks the justification of Christianity. And in truth these Franks rejoiced. How they exulted, offering songs of praise to the King of Kings. Bishop Adhémar who ascended to heaven from Antioch was seen by many as they explored Jerusalem. Some allege he was first to scale the ramparts, beckoning his knights to follow.
Now the barons clad themselves in fresh garments. Hands washed of blood, feet bare, contrite, humble, singing a new canticle to the Lord, they visited places the Messiah had deigned to glorify. Tearful, sighing, they pressed kisses upon the stones His feet once trod, kissed memorials of His sojourn among us. Reverently they approached the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for which they had endured such deprivation. Here they felt they had entered Paradise. To them it seemed they could almost see the body of Christ while they accepted the blessing of Greek and Syriac priests among the burning candles and the sweet odor of incense. They worshipped and supplicated the Lord. They sobbed with profound emotion.
They visited Bethlehem to kneel beside the cradle where the Infant had lain. They saw the stone that felled Goliath. They saw the anvil upon which the nails of the Passion were forged. They visited the shop where thirty pieces of silver were coined. Much else did they see, including the star that guided the Magi and fell into a cistern on the day of Epiphany. At these places everything our Savior did or taught while he lived among men was recalled, refreshed the memory of true believers.
With prayers complete, when they had rendered homage, the high barons decided to cleanse Jerusalem of decaying bodies. Some few pagans that had been found in prison were assigned the task. However they were not enough so a daily wage was offered to pilgrims who would help. Torsos, arms, heads, legs, all were carted outside the wall and flung together. According to the narrative of Fulcher de Chartres, Provençals who arrived late for the sack of Jerusalem went about splitting the bellies of corpses to pull out entrails and inspect the folds. They did this because many infidels had tried to keep their wealth from Christians by swallowing gold bezants. Or it might happen that six or eight bezants popped from the mouth of a corpse if struck on the neck with a fist. Also, which was shameful, Saracen women hid gold inside their bodies.
Archbishop William with his account of those days relates how pyramids of severed human parts terrified all who gazed at them, yet more hideous was the spectacle of pilgrims resolute in their faith, swords dripping blood. How many citizens of Jerusalem bent their necks? God knows. Neither before nor since has such a multitude felt the blade. To this day, it is said, Muslims draw strength from ancient memories of the Holy City splashed with gore.
Abbot Guibert argues that all should look narrowly upon Christians who participated, who took pride in this exploit, who delighted at crime, perfidy, and turpitude, because having feasted their eyes on Jerusalem they thought themselves exempt fro
m natural law. But what of Muslims? Were not they themselves responsible? Did not these black souls seethe with hatred toward Christians lighting the lamp of truth? Where is the seed and root of wickedness?
When the Holy City had been purified, bodies set afire, Frankish lords retired to houses they had selected. Jerusalem they quickly learned was filled to abundance with goods of every sort. Embroidered robes, gems, silver and gold coins, oil, grain, wine, more than enough. On the second day they held a public market, again on the third day. So they passed this time in amiable celebration. Pilgrims refreshed themselves, eating what they liked, idling, giving thanks.
It is said that people in Baghdad wept incessantly. These unbelievers follow a calendar of their own devising and in the ninth month, which they call Ramadan, they do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. But upon learning how Jerusalem was seized by Christians they violated the feast of Ramadan by swallowing their tears. So it is alleged. The truth of this, I, Jean, do not pretend to know.
Very long ago Charlemagne conquered Jerusalem. When I was a child I learned that twelve peers and eighty thousand Franks accompanied him but did not have to battle enemies along the way. When they got to the Holy City they entered a church and saw a throne prepared for Charlemagne, with twelve thrones for his knights. No more did they seat themselves than a Jew arrived. Mistaking these Franks for Christ and His apostles, the Jew submitted to conversion. Which is to say, Charlemagne may be likened to God’s representative on earth. Anon came word of a very great monarch, Hugh the Strong, king of Constantinople who tilled his fields with a golden plough. The Franks marched off to see for themselves. Hugh greeted them honorably but challenged them to demonstrate their prowess. Because of this insult they raped his daughter and went about destroying his palace. Hugh begged them to leave his country, which they did, having proved themselves superior to Greeks. While in Constantinople they saw astonishing things, gilded birds that sang, statues of men that could move and speak. Yet these were foolish marvels wrought by a decadent race.
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