Version
of Raymond d'Aguiliers
Later,
all of our people went to the Sepulchre of our Lord rejoicing and weeping for
joy, and they rendered up the offering that they owed. In the morning, some of
our men cautiously, ascended to the roof of the Temple and attacked the
Saracens both men and women, beheading them with naked swords:, the remainder
sought death by jumping down into the temple. When Tancred heard of this, he
was filled with anger.
The
Duke and the Counts of Normandy and Flanders placed Gaston of Beert in charge of the workmen who
constructed machines. They built mantlets and towers with which to attack the
wall. The direction of this work was assigned to Gaston by the princes because
he was a most noble lord, respected by all for his skill and reputation. He
very cleverly hastened matters by dividing the work. The princes busied
themselves with obtaining the material, while Gaston supervised the
construction. Likewise, Count Raymond made William Ricau superintendent of the work
on Mount Zion and placed the Bishop of Albara in charge of the Saracens and
others who brought in the timber. The Count's men had taken many Saracen
castles and villages and forced the Saracens to work, as though they were their
serfs. Thus for the construction of machines at Jerusalem fifty or sixty men
carried on their shoulders a great beam that could not have been dragged by
four pair of oxen. What more shall I say? All worked with a singleness of
purpose, no one was slothful, and no bands were idle. All worked without wages,
except the artisans, who were paid from a collection taken from the people.
However, Count Raymond paid his workmen from his own treasury. Surely the band
of the Lord was with us and aided those who were working!
When
our efforts were ended and the machines completed, the princes held a council
and announced: "Let all prepare themselves for a battle on Thursday; in
the meantime, let us pray, fast, and give alms. Hand over your animals and your
boys to the artisans and carpenters, that they may bring in beams, poles,
stakes, and branches to make mantlets. Two knights should make one mantlet and
one scaling ladder. Do not hesitate to work for the Lord, for your labors will
soon be ended." This was willingly done by all. Then it was decided what
part of the city each leader should attack and where his machines should be
located.
Meanwhile,
the Saracens in the city, noting the great number of machines that we had
constructed, strengthened the weaker parts of the wall, so that it seemed that
they could be taken only by the most desperate efforts. Because the Saracens
bad made so many and such strong fortifications to oppose our machines, the
Duke, the Count of Flanders, and the Count of Normandy spent the night before
the day set for the attack moving their machines, mantlets, and platforms to
that side of the city which is between the church of St. Stephen and the valley
of Josaphat. You who read this must not think that this was a light
undertaking, for the machines were carried in parts almost a mile to the place
where they were to be set up. When morning came and the Saracens saw that all
the machinery and tents had been moved during the night, they were amazed. Not
only the Saracens were astonished, but our people as well, for they recognized
that the band of the Lord was with us. The change was made because the new
point chosen for attack was more level, and thus suitable for moving the
machines up to the walls, which cannot be done unless the ground is level; and
also because that part of the city seemed to be weaker having remained
unfortified, as it was some distance from our camp. This part of the city is on
the north.
Count
Raymond and his men worked equally bard on Mount Zion, but they bad much
assistance from William Embriaco, and the Genoese sailors, who, although they
bad lost their ships at Joppa, as we have already related, had been able,
nevertheless, to save ropes, mallets, spikes, axes, and hatchets, which were
very necessary to us. But why delay the story? The appointed day arrived and the
attack began. However, I want to say this first, that, according to our
estimate and that of many others, there were sixty thousand fighting men within
the city, not counting the women and those unable to bear arms, and there were
not many of these. At the most we did not have more than twelve thousand able
to bear arms, for there were many poor people and many sick. There were twelve
or thirteen hundred knights in our army, as I reckon it, not more. I say this
that you may realize that nothing, whether great or small, which is undertaken
in the name of the Lord can fail, as the following pages show.
Our
men began to undermine the towers and walls. From every side stones were hurled
from the tormenti and the petrahae, and so many arrows that they fell like hail. The servants of CA
bore this patiently, sustained by the premises of their faith, whether they
should be killed or should presently prevail over their enemies. The battle
showed no indication of victory, but when the machines were drawn nearer to the
walls, they hurled not only stones and arrows, but also burning wood and straw.
The wood was dipped in pitch, wax, and sulphur; then straw and tow were
fastened on by an iron band, and, when lighted, these firebrands were shot from
the machines. (They were) all bound together by an iron band, I say, so that
wherever they fell, the whole mass held together and continued to burn. Such
missiles, burning as they shot upward, could not be resisted by swords or by
high walls; it was not even possible for the defenders to find safety down
behind the walls. Thus the fight continued from the rising to the setting sun
in such splendid fashion that it is difficult to believe anything more glorious
was ever done. Then we called on Almighty God, our Leader and Guide, confident
in His mercy. Night brought fear to both sides. The Saracens feared that we
would take the city during the night or on the next day for the outer works
were broken through and the ditch was filled so that it was possible to make an
entrance through the wall very quickly. On our part, we feared only that the
Saracens would set fire to the machines that were moved close to the walls, and
thus improve their situation. So on both sides it was a night of watchfulness,
labor, and sleepless caution: on one side, most cert4n hope, on the other
doubtful fear. We gladly labored to capture the city for the glory of God, they
less willingly strove to resist our efforts for the sake of the laws of
Mohammed. It is hard to believe how great were the efforts made on both sides
during the night.
When
the morning came, our men eagerly rushed to be walls and dragged the machines
forward, but the Saracens had constructed so many machines that for each one of
ours they now had nine or ten. Thus they greatly interfered with our efforts.
This was the ninth day, on which the priest had said that we would capture the
city. But why do I delay so long? Our machines were now shaken apart by the
blows of many stones, and our men lagged because they were very weary. However,
there remained the mercy of the Lord which is never overcome nor conquered, but
is always a source of support in times of adversity. One incident must not be
omitted. Two women tried to bewitch one of the hurling machines, but a stone
struck and crushed them, as well as three slaves, so that their lives were
extinguished and the evil incantations averted.
By
noon our men were greatly discouraged. They were weary and at the end of their
resources. There were still many of the enemy opposing each one of our men; the
walls were very high and strong, and the great resources and skill that the
enemy exhibited in repairing their defenses seemed too great for us to
overcome. But, while we hesitated, irresolute, and the enemy exulted in our
discomfiture, the healing mercy of God inspired us and turned our sorrow into
joy, for the Lord did not forsake us. While a council was being held to decide
whether or not our machines should be withdrawn, for some were burned and the
rest badly shaken to pieces, a knight on the Mount of Olives began to wave his
shield to those who were with the Count and others, signalling them to advance.
Who this knight was we have been unable to find out. At this signal our men
began to take heart, and some began to batter down the wall, while others began
to ascend by means of scaling ladders and ropes. Our archers shot burning
firebrands, and in this way checked the attack that the Saracens were making
upon the wooden towers of the Duke and the two Counts. These firebrands,
moreover, were wrapped in cotton. This shower of fire drove the defenders from
the walls. Then the Count quickly released the long drawbridge which had
protected the side of the wooden tower next to the wall, and it swung down from
the top, being fastened to the middle of the tower, making a bridge over which
the men began to enter Jerusalem bravely and fearlessly. Among those who
entered first were Tancred and the Duke of Lorraine, and the amount of blood
that they shed on that day is incredible. All ascended after them, and the
Saracens now began to suffer.
Strange
to relate, however, at this very time when the city was practically captured by
the Franks, the Saracens were still fighting on the other side, where the Count
was attacking the wall as though the city should never be captured. But now
that our men had possession of the walls and towers, wonderful sights were to
be seen. Some of our men (and this was more merciful) cut off the heads of
their enemies; others shot them with arrows, so that they fell from the towers;
others tortured them longer by casting them into the flames. Piles of heads,
hands, and feet were to be seen in the streets of the city. It was necessary to
pick one's way over the bodies of men and horses. But these were small matters
compared to what happened at the Temple of Solomon, a place where religious
services are ordinarily chanted. What happened there? If I tell the truth, it
will exceed your powers of belief. So let it suffice to say this much, at
least, that in the Temple and porch of Solomon, men rode in blood up to their
knees and bridle reins. Indeed, it was a just and splendid judgment of God that
this place should be filled with the blood of the unbelievers, since it had
suffered so long from their blasphemies. The city was filled with corpses and
blood. Some of the enemy took refuge in the Tower of David, and, petitioning
Count Raymond for protection, surrendered the Tower into his hands.
Now
that the city was taken, it was well worth all our previous labors and
hardships to see the devotion of the pilgrims at the Holy Sepulchre. How they
rejoiced and exulted and sang a new song to the Lord! For their hearts offered
prayers of praise to God, victorious and triumphant, which cannot be told in
words. A new day, new joy, new and perpetual gladness, the consummation of our
labor and devotion, drew forth from all new words and new songs. This day, I
say, will be famous in all future ages, for it turned our labors and sorrows
into joy and exultation; this day, I say, marks the justification of all
Christianity, the humiliation of paganism, and the renewal of our faith.
"This is the day which the Lord bath made, let us rejoice and be glad in
it," for on this day the Lord revealed Himself to His people and blessed
them.
On
this day, the Ides of July, Lord Adhemar, Bishop of Puy, was seen in the city
by many people. Many also testified that he was the first to scale the wall,
and that he summoned the knights and people to follow him. On this day,
moreover, the apostles were cast forth from Jerusalem and scattered over the
whole world. On this same day, the children of the apostles regained the city
and fatherland for God and the fathers. This day, the Ides of July, shall be
celebrated to the praise and glory of the name of God, who, answering the
prayers of His Church, gave in trust and benediction to His children the city
and fatherland which He bad promised to the fathers. On this day we chanted the
Office of the Resurrection, since on that day He, who by His virtue arose from
the dead, revived us through His grace. So much is to be said of this.
Source:
August.
C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eyewitnesses and Participants, (Princeton: 1921), 257-62