A FEW days after the defeat of the Sultan of Mossoul, the pilgrim warriors assembled in a body, and implored the chiefs of the crusade to lead them towards Jerusalem. The princes and barons, however, were in no humor for the expedition. The idea of capturing a city and founding a sovereignty had caught the imagination of each; and, instead of encouraging the pilgrims to proceed towards the Holy Sepulchre, they used arguments to damp enthusiasm. "The summer is at its height," said they, "and we have no horses. We must wait till the season is cooler, and till we have replaced our war-steeds."
The crusaders accordingly remained at Antioch; and their abode in that fair city proved unfavorable to their enterprise. Besides being worried by disputes between Boemund and Raymond of Thoulouse, they were attacked by an epidemic, to which fifty thousand fell victims, among whom was the brave and pious Bishop of Puy.
Even when summer had passed, and the army had diminished to fifty thousand men, the chiefs occupied themselves with petty enterprises, and wholly neglected the great object of their expedition. Besides, some of them, like the Count of Blois and the Count of Vermandois, returned to Europe. At length the soldiers declared, in disgust, that they would elect new leaders; and, alarmed at this threat, Raymond of Thoulouse, in company with Curthose and Tancred, took his way towards Jerusalem. Godfrey of Bouillon, with the Count of Flanders, speedily followed; and after consuming months in petty hostilities with Saracens, and in disputes about the sacred spear, between Curthose's chaplain -- Arnold de Rohes -- and the priest of Marseilles, the crusaders, on the morning of the 29th of May, 1099, ascended the heights of Emmaus, and at dawn came in sight of the Holy City.
"Jerusalem!" cried those who first descried the towers and walls.
"Jerusalem! Jerusalem!" shouted all the pilgrims as they uncovered their heads and rushed forward in ecstacy.
Lines of walls, groups of massive towers, and a few olive trees rising from the sterile plain, were all that met the thousands of arrested eyes. But the sight was enough. A thrilling and sublime emotion pervaded the army of crusaders, as they gazed on the city they had so earnestly longed to behold; and a voice seemed to sound in the ear of each, saying, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy." The horsemen sprung from their saddles. Some prostrated themselves and kissed the earth; others walked forward barefoot, and all, shedding penitential tears, renewed the vow they had made before leaving Europe.
While the crusaders, animated by Christian zeal, drew near to Jerusalem, a body of Saracens issued from the city to watch their movements and impede their march. But Tancred, who had already planted the Christian banner over Bethlehem, where the Redeemer of mankind was born, advanced at the head of his horsemen, and chased them to the gates. The pilgrim army then advanced; and the chiefs, preparing to commence the siege, posted their men to the north of the city," being scarcely assaultable on any other side, by reason of steep and broken rocks." Godfrey, with his brother Eustace of Bouillon, and his kinsman Baldwin du Bourg, set up his standard in the centre. On one hand of Godfrey encamped Raymond of Thoulouse; and, on the other, Robert Curthose, the Count of Flanders, and Edgar Atheling, who, after seating his nephew on the Scottish throne, had joined the crusaders at Loadicea, with the flower of that noble race which had for six centuries given kings and nobles to the British isles.
While the crusaders were glowing with religious fervor inspired by a sight of the Holy City, a hermit, who had long lived on Mount Olivet, left his cell and appeared in the camp. Nothing more than his presence was wanting to fire their zeal. He recommended them to make an immediate assault and to trust for victory to the aid of Heaven. Chiefs and soldiers yielded to the anchorite's eloquence, and declared for taking the Holy City by storm.
There was more valor than discretion in all this. The crusaders, in fact, had no machines of war and scarcely a scaling-ladder. Nevertheless, their enthusiasm was such that nobody objected to the enterprise; and, at a given signal, they advanced. While some, under cover of shields, assailed the walls with hammers and pikes, others, ranged at a distance, annoyed the defenders of the city with slings and bows.
But the Emir of Jerusalem, whose garrison numbered forty thousand men was in no yielding mood. Encouraging his men, he urged them to do their utmost, and to prove themselves worthy of their prophet. Machines, placed on the ramparts, discharged every species of missile; and blocks of stone, beams of wood, burning torches, boiling pitch, and Greek fire, wrought fearful havoc. Still the crusaders persevered, and the outer wall fell before their impetuous efforts. The inner wall, however, presented an impassible barrier. An escalade was indeed attempted; but the crusaders, finding that scarcely one of the ladders was of sufficient length to reach the ramparts, abandoned the assault; and, returning to their tents, prepared to prosecute the siege after a more regular fashion.
Unfortunately, the crusaders were in no position to exercise patienqe. Before their arrival at Jerusalem, the Saracens had scoured the neighborhood, carried everything in the shape of provender to the city, and cut off the supply of water by choking up wells and poisoning cisterns. At the same time, the Kcdron was dry; the fountain of Shiloe, only flowing at intervals, could not suffice for fifty thousand people; and most of the water had to be carried, in skins, from fountains or rivulets many miles off. Encamped on arid plains, and under a glowing sun, everybody experienced more or less misery; and as days passed over, men, women, and children, gave way to despair. "There is only one remedy for this state of things," said the pilgrim princes -- "Jerusalem must be taken."
Luckily ere matters reached a crisis, the crusaders received intelligence which revived their courage. At Joppa, an ancient seaport, forty miles from Jerusalem, some Genoese ships, with provisions and warlike stores, and engineers on board, had appeared. Joy pervaded the camp; and a troop of cavalry was despatched to act as convoy to the men and ammunition. On reaching Joppa, the crusaders found that the Genoese fleet had been destroyed by Saracens. But the mariners and engineers having saved some provisions and tools, were conducted in safety to Jerusalem.
Nothing but wood was now wanting for the construction of engines of war. At first some difficulty was apprehended. A Syrian, however, presented himself to Curthosc and the Count of Flanders, and conducted them to a mountain, where trees grew, some thirty miles from Jerusalem. The, distance proved no obstacle. The forest soon resounded with axes; and the trees, when felled, were drawn to the camp by oxen shod with iron. Meanwhile the machines were rapidly constructed; and, ere long, the pilgrim princes found themselves in a position to prosecute the siege with some prospect of success.
Before renewing their efforts, however, the crusaders, advised by the Hermit of Mount Olivet, resolved on a grand religious procession. Headed by the clergy, clad in white, bearing images, and singing psalms, the warriors of the cross walked around Jerusalem, with trumpets sounding and banners displayed. On the summit of Mount Olivet, they halted in view of the city they had come to rescue; and priests, in solemn accents, lauded their zeal and fired their enthusiasm.
"You see Christ's heritage trodden by the feet of infidels," said Arnold de Rohcs, pointing toward the city; "but it shall soon he the reward of your labors. There are the Holy Places in which God wdl bless all your victories, and pardon all your sins."
"Yes," exclaimed Peter the Hermit, "a few hours -- and towers, the last bulwark of Christ's foes, shall be the asylum of Christians; and mosques, which stand upon Christian ruins, shall be temples for the true God."
On the morning of Thursday, the 14th of July, the crusaders roused themselves to ad ion; and no sooner did day break, than the sound of trumpets summoned them to arms. All the engines constructed by the Genoese were immediately at work; and the Saracens perceived with astonishment, and not without fear, the preparations made for their destruction. They had no time, however, to indulge in pensive reflections. Huge towers wheeled forward, brought the crusaders face to face with their foes; and Christian fought hand to hand with Moslem. Godfrey particularly signalized his prowess; all the chiefs were foremost in the assault; the soldiers fought courageously and well; and even women played the men and fought most valiantly in armor."
The Emir of Jerusalem was now somewhat daunted. But the idea of drooping was out of the question; and the Saracens had girded themselves up for a desperate defence. Every effort was made to drive back the besiegers. Gigantic Saracens, on the ramparts, encountered the crusaders in the wooden towers; and boiling oil, Greek fire, stones and beams, were mercilessly poured upon those who assailed the walls. The crusaders soon found their situation disheartening. The most strenuous endeavors to achieve success failed, and after an exhausting contest of twelve hours, they were fain to beat a retreat amid the shouts and laughter of their infidel foes.
"These Christians," cried the Saracens jeeringly from the ramparts, "worship a God who cannot aid them."
"It seems," said Curthosc to the Count of Flanders, as they retired to their camp, "that God does not yet deem us worthy of entering his Holy City, and adoring at the tomb of his Son."
The elation of the Saracens, and the depression of the crusaders, were ephemeral. Both, however, dreading a surprise, passed Thursday night in anxiety and doubt. The Saracens feared an assault: the crusaders feared a sally. But the night sped away without a collision, and when Friday morning came, Moslem and Christian prepared for a decisive encounter.
The crusaders by this time had a new "motive for exertion. They had intercepted a pigeon in its flight towards the city; and found under its wing a letter, the contents of which caused alarm. Succor in fact, was promised without fail to the besieged; and under such circumstances, delay was not to be thought of by the besiegers. While, therefore, the clergy walked in procession to Mount Olivet, the soldiers repaired to the walls, and resumed the struggle with a zeal and determination still greater than had been displayed on the previous day.
The onset was impetuous, and the shock terrible; for the resistance was as obstinate as the assault was enthusiastic. The besiegers launched stones and beams against the ramparts; the besieged retaliated with equal fierceness; and the carnage on both sides was fearful. Godfrey of Bouillon exposed himself to every danger, but seemed to bear a charmed life; for though a mark for a hundred missiles, he remained erect urging on friends and striking down foes.
It happened that the engines constructed by the Genoese proved peculiarly malignant to the Saracens; and alarmed at the havoc wrought, the besieged "cased the outside of their walls with bags of chaff, straw, and such pliable matter, which conquered the engines of the Christians by yielding into them." But observing that one huge catapulta continued to make alarming ravages, the Saracens conducted two of their "wise women" to the wall with the object of charming aside beams and stones. Neither word nor spell, however, produced the slightest effect. The catapulta was no respecter of persons; and the unfortunate witches perishing miserably, furnished the Saracens with fresh evidence of its destructive powers.
But noon passed, afternoon was speeding away, and evening was drawing near, and still the crusaders made little progress; and at length the Greek fire, setting their machines in a blaze, reduced them to despondency; while the Saracens, pointing to the heaps of besiegers slain at the foot of the ramparts, uttered loud and taunting cries. At the moment, however, when the crusaders, fatigued with the weight of their armor, covered with dust and oppressed with heat, leant on their swords and gave way to despair, a horseman waving a buckler, appeared on Mount Olivet.
"Behold," cried Godfrey, " St. George has come again to our aid, and makes a signal for us to enter the Holy City."
"God wills it!" cried the crusaders, as they returned with one accord, to the assault.
And now before the walls of Jerusalem was rekindled that fiery zoal, which had swept Mossours Sultan and his soldiery from the plains of Antioch. Not even warriors of the highest patriotism and chivalry -- not the victors of Cressy or Agincourt, could have long resisted men who fought with a belief that the saints were doing battle in their behalf. Every eye glanced with religious fervor, and every arm struck with supernatural prowess. Pious frenzy rendered the armed pilgrims irresistible. Amid clouds of flame, and smoke, and dust, Godfrey, preceded by Reimbault Cretan, who appears first to have footed the walls, entered the city; and Eustace of Bouillon, with a host of warriors, followed with shouts of victory; Curthosc and the Count of Flanders, aware of the success of their comrades, redoubled every effort, and scaled the walls sword in hand. Raymond of Thoulouse, opposed to the Emir of Jerusalem in person, met with a sturdy resistance; but, disdaining all danger, the aged Count leaped from his wooden tower to the ramparts -- Saracens bearing back at the sound of his war-cry, and the Emir flying before the sweep of his sword.
Jerusalem now resounded with loud cries of vengeance. The conquerors, under a delusion that they were rendering God service, slaughtered without mercy ihe enemies of their religion. Thousands upon thousands of the vanquished fell; and ibr days the blood of Saracens, old and young, flowed like water.
While swords were clashing and blood was flowing, Godfrey of Bouillon, leaving the scene of carnage, laying down his sword, uncovering his head, and baring his feet, walked in a posture of humility to the church of the Resurrection, and prostrated himself on the tomb of Christ. On hearing of the pious chief's act of devotion, the crusaders hastened to follow his example: and, preceded by the clergy, walked in solemn procession, singing penitential psalms and songs of thanksgiving.
Ere this ceremony was over, the Christians in Jerusalem emerged from places of concealment, and advanced to meet their deliverers. The spectacle touched every heart, and brought tears to every eye. But from among princes and peers they singled out the figure of the little man, clad in the woollen mantle, who five years before had walked wildly about the Holy City, busying his brain with projects for their relief. It was Peter the Hermit whom they regarded as their liberator; and, crowding around him, they expressed boundless astonishment that one man should have been able to rouse so many nations, and to work so mighty a deliverance.
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
