Medieval Sourcebook:
Albert of Aix:
Historia Hierosolymita
Selections from his Chronicle
Albert of Aix (or Aachen) wrote a history of the Crusades down
to c. 1120. He is the most important source for the history of
the popular crusade. He wrote in the mid twelfth century and never
visited the East. His History is based on eyewitness accounts
and written sources.
The whole text, with French translation, is in RHC, OCC
IV.
1. Peter the Hermit
2. Folcmar and Gottshalk
3. Emico and the Slaughter of Rhineland Jews
4. The end of the Popular Crusade
5. Godfrey of Bouillon in Constantinople
1. Peter the Hermit
There was a priest, Peter by name, formerly a hermit. He was born
in the city of Amiens, which is in the western part of the kingdom
of the Franks, and he was appointed preacher in Berri in the aforesaid
kingdom. In every admonition and sermon, with all the persuasion
of which he was capable, he urged setting out on the journey as
soon as possible. In response to his constant admonition and call,
bishops, abbots, clerics, and monks set out; next, most noble
laymen, and princes of the different kingdoms; then, all the common
people, the chaste as well as the sinful, adulterers, homicides,
thieves, perjurers, and robbers; indeed, every class of the Christian
profession, nay, also, women and those influenced by the spirit
of penance -- all joyfully entered upon this expedition. . . .
In the year of the Incarnation of the Lord, 1096, in the fourth
Indiction, in the thirteenth year of the reign of Henry IV, third
august Emperor of the Romans, and in the forty-third year of the
Empire, in the reign of Pope Urban II, formerly Odoard, on the
eighth day of March, Walter, surnamed the Penniless, a well-known
soldier, set out, as a result of the preaching of Peter the Hermit,
with a great company of Frankish foot soldiers and only about
eight knights. On the beginning of the journey to Jerusalem he
entered into the kingdom of Hungary. When his intention, and the
reason for his taking this journey became known to Lord Coloman,
most Christian king of Hungary, he was kindly received and was
given peaceful transit across the entire realm, with permission
to trade. And so without giving offence, and without being attacked,
he set out even to Belgrade, a Bulgarian city, passing over to Malevilla, where the realm of the king of Hungary ends.
Thence he peacefully crossed the Morava river.
But sixteen of Walter's company remained in Malevilla, that
they might purchase arms. Of this Walter was ignorant, for he
had crossed long before. Then some of the Hungarians of perverse
minds, seeing the absence of Walter and his army, laid bands upon
those sixteen and robbed them of arms, garments, gold and silver
and so let them depart, naked and empty-handed. Then these distressed
pilgrims, deprived of arms and other things, hastened on their
way to Belgrade, which has been mentioned before, where Walter
with all his band had pitched tents for camp. They reported to
him the misfortune which had befallen them, but Walter heard this
with equanimity, because it would take too long to return for
vengeance.
On the very night when those comrades, naked and empty-handed,
were received, Walter sought to buy the necessaries of life from
a chief of the Bulgarians and the magistrate of the city; but
these men, thinking it a pretense, and regarding them as spies,
forbade the sale of any thing to them. Wherefore, Walter and his
companions, greatly angered, began forcibly to seize and lead
away the herds of cattle and sheep, which were wandering h and
there through the fields in search of pasture. As a result serious
strife arose between the Bulgarians and the pilgrims who were
driving away the flocks, and they came to blows. However, while
the strength of the Bulgarians was growing even to one hundred
and forty, some of the pilgrim army, cut off from the multitude
of their companions, arrived in flight at a chapel. But the Bulgarians,
their army growing in number, while the band of Walter was weakening
and his entire company scattered, besieged the chapel and burned
sixty who were within; on most of the others, who escaped from
the enemy and the chapel in defense of their lives, the Bulgarians
inflicted grave wounds.
After this calamity and the loss of his people, and after he had
passed eight days as a fugitive in the forests of Bulgaria, Walter
leaving his men scattered everywhere, withdrew to Nisb, a very
wealthy city in the midst of the Bulgarian realm. There be found
the duke and prince of the land and reported to him the injury
and damage which bad been done him. From the duke he obtained
justice for all; nay, more, in reconciliation the duke bestowed
upon him arms and money, and the same lord of the land gave him
peaceful conduct through the cities of Bulgaria, Sofia, Philippopolis,
and Adrianople, and also license to trade.
He went down with all his band, even to the imperial ciity, Constantinople,
which is the capital of the entire Greek empire. And when he arrived
there, with all possible earnestness and most humble petition
be implored from the Lord Emperor himself permission to delay
peacefully in his kingdom, with license to buy the necessaries
of life, until he should have as his companion Peter the Hermit,
upon whose admonition and persuasion he had begun this journey.
And he also begged that, when the troops were united, they might
cross in ships over the arm of the sea called the Strait of St.
George, and thus they would be able to resist more safely the
squadrons of the Turks and the Gentiles. The outcome was that
the requests made of the Lord Emperor, Alexius by name, were granted.
Not long after these events, Peter and his large army, innumerable
as the sands of the sea - an army which he had brought together
from the various realms of the nations of the Franks, Swabians,
Bavarians, and Lotharingianswere making their way to Jerusalem.
Descending on that march into the kingdom of Hungary, he and his
army pitched their tents before the gate of Oedenburg. . . .
Peter heard this report and, because the Hungarians and Bulgarians
were fellow Christians, absolutely refused to believe so great
crime of them, until his men, coming to Malevilla, saw
banging from the walls the arms and spoils of the sixteen companions
of Walter who had stayed behind a short time before, and whom
the Hungarians had treacherously presumed to rob. But when Peter
recognized the injury to his brethren, at the sight of their arms
and spoils, he urged his companions to avenge their wrongs.
These sounded the trumpet loudly, and with upraised banners they
rushed to the walls and attacked the enemy with a hail of arrows.
In such quick succession and in such incredible numbers did they
burl them in the face of those standing on the walls that the
Hungarians, in no wise able to resist the force of the besieging
Franks, left the walls, hoping that within the city they might
be able to withstand the strength of the Gauls. Godfrey, surnamed
Burela native of the city Etampes, master and standard-bearer
of two hundred foot soldiers, himself a foot soldier, and a man
of great strength - seeing the flight of the Hungarians away from
the walls, then quickly crossed over the walls by means of a ladder
he chanced to find there. Reinald of Broyes, a distinguished knight,
clad in helmet and coat of mail, ascended just after Godfrey;
soon all the knights, as well as the footsoldiers, hastened to
enter the city. The Hungarians, seeing their own imminent peril,
gathered seven thousand strong for defense; and, having passed
out through another gate which looked toward the east, they stationed
themselves on the summit of a lofty crag, beyond which flowed
the Danube, where they were invincibly fortified. A very large
part of these were unable to escape quickly through the narrow
passage, and they fell before the gate. Some who hoped to find
refuge on the top of the mountain were cut down by the pursuing
pilgrims; still others, thrown headlong from the summit of the
mountain, were buried in the waves of the Danube, but many escaped
by boat. About four thousand Hungarians fell there, but only a
hundred pilgrims, not counting the wounded, were killed at that
same place.
This victory won, Peter remained with all his followers in the
same citadel five days, for he found there an abundance of grain
flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, a plentiful supply of wine,
and infinite number of horses. . . .
When Peter learned of the wrath of the King and his very formidable
gathering of troops, he deserted Malevilla with all his
followers and planned to cross the Morava with all spoils and
flocks and herds of horses. But on the whole bank he found very
few boats, only one hundred and fifty, in which the great multitude
must pass quickly over and escape, lest the King should overtake
them with a great force. Hence many who were unable to cross in
boats tried to cross on rafts made by fastening poles together
with twigs. But driven hither and thither in these rafts without
rudders, and at times separated from their companions, many perished,
pierced with arrows from the bows of the Patzinaks, who inhabited
Bulgaria. As Peter saw the drowning and destruction which was
befalling his men, he commanded the Bavarians, the Alemanni, and
the other Teutons, by their promise of obedience to come to the
aid of their Frankish brethren. They were earned to that place
by seven rafts; then they sank seven small boats of the Patzinaks
with their occupants, but took only seven men captive. They led
these seven captives into the presence of Peter and killed them
by his order.
When he had thus avenged his men, Peter crossed the Morava river
and entered the large and spacious forests of the Bulgarians with
supplies of food, with every necessary, and with the spoils from
Belgrade. And after a delay of eight days in those vast' woods
and pastures, he and his followers approached Nish, a city very
strongly fortified with walls. After crossing the river before
the city by a stone bridge, they occupied the field, pleasing
in its verdure and extent, and pitched their tents on the banks
of the river. . . .
Peter, obedient to the mandate of the Emperor, advanced from the
city of Sofia and withdrew with all his people to the city Philippopolis.
When he had related the entire story of his misfortune in the
hearing of all the Greek citizens, he received, in the name of
Jesus and in fear of God, very many gifts for him. Next, the third
day after, he withdrew to Adrianople, cheerful and joyful in the
abundance of all necessaries. There he tarried in camp outside
the walls of the city only two days, and then withdrew after sunrise
on the third day. A second message of the Emperor was urging him
to hasten his march to Constantinople, for, on account of the
reports about him, the Emperor was burning with desire to see
this same Peter. When they had come to Constantinople, the army
of Peterwas ordered to encamp at a distance from the city, and
license to trade was fully granted. .
Source:
August. C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eyewitnesses
and Participants, (Princeton: 1921), 48-52
2. Folcmar and Gottschalk
Not long after the passage of Peter, a certain priest Gottschalk
by name, a Teuton in race, an inhabitant of the Rhine country,
inflamed by the preaching of Peter with a love and a desire for
that same journey to Jerusalem, by his own preachings likewise
stirred the hearts of very many peoples of diverse nations to
go on that journey. He assembled from the various regions of Lorraine,
eastern France, Bavaria, and Alemannia, more than fifteen thousand
persons of military station, as well as ordinary foot soldiers,
who, having collected an inexpressible amount of money, together
with other necessaries, are said to have continued on their way
peacefully, even to the kingdom of Hungary.
When they arrived at the gate of Wieselburg and its fortress,
they were honorably received by the favor of King Coloman. They
were likewise granted permission to buy the necessaries of life,
and peace was commanded on both sides by an order of the King,
lest any outbreak should arise from so large an army. But as they
delayed there for several days, they began to roam about, and
the Bavarians and Swabians, spirited peoples, together with other
thoughtless persons, drank beyond measure and violated the peace
which had been commanded. Little by little they took away from
the Hungarians wine, grain, and all other necessaries; finally,
they devastated the fields, killing sheep and cattle, and also
destroying those who resisted, or who wished to drive them out.
Like a rough people, rude in manners, undisciplined and haughty,
they committed very many other crimes, all of which we cannot
relate. As some who were present say, they transfixed a certain
Hungarian youth in the market place with a stake through his body.
C plaints of this matter and of other wrongs were brought to ears
of the King and their own leaders. . . .
When Gottschalk and the other sensible men heard this, they trusted
with pure faith in these words, and also because the Hungarians
were of the Christian profession, they counselled the entire assembly
to give their arms in satisfaction to the King, according to this
command. Thus everything would return to peace and concord. .
. .
And yet, when all their arms had been placed under lock and key,
the Hungarians proved false regarding all the faith and clemency
which they had promised that the King would show to. the people;
nay, rather they fell upon them with cruel slaughter, cut down
the defenceless and unarmed and inflicted upon them frightful
slaughter, to such an extent (as those affirm for a truth' who
were Present and barely escaped) that the entire plain of Belgrade
was filled by the bodies of the slain and was covered with their
blood. Few escaped from that martyrdom.
Source:
August. C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eyewitnesses
and Participants, (Princeton: 1921), 52-53
3. Emico and the Slaughter
of the Rhineland Jews
At the beginning of summer in the same year in which Peter, and
Gottschalk, after collecting an army, had set out, there assembled
in like fashion a large and innumerable host of Christians from
diverse kingdoms and lands; namely, from the realms of France,
England, Flanders, and Lorraine. . . . I know n whether by a judgment
of the Lord, or by some error of mind;, they rose in a spirit
of cruelty against the Jewish people scattered throughout these
cities and slaughtered them without mercy, especially in the Kingdom
of Lorraine, asserting it to be the beginning of their expedition
and their duty against the enemies of the Christian faith. This
slaughter of Jews was done first by citizens of Cologne. These
suddenly fell upon a small band of Jews and severely wounded and
killed many; they destroyed the houses and synagogues of the Jews
and divided among themselves a very large, amount of money. When
the Jews saw this cruelty, about two hundred in the silence of
the night began flight by boat to Neuss. The pilgrims and crusaders
discovered them, and after taking away all their possessions,
inflicted on them similar slaughter, leaving not even one alive.
Not long after this, they started upon their journey, as they
had vowed, and arrived in a great multitude at the city of Mainz.
There Count Emico, a nobleman, a very mighty man in this region,
was awaiting, with a large band of Teutons, the arrival of the
pilgrims who were coming thither from diverse lands by the King's
highway.
The Jews of this city, knowing of the slaughter of their brethren,
and that they themselves could not escape the hands of so many,
fled in hope of safety to Bishop Rothard. They put an infinite
treasure in his guard and trust, having much faith in his protection,
because he was Bishop of the city. Then that excellent Bishop
of the city cautiously set aside the incredible amcunt of money
received from them. He placed the Jews in the very spacious hall
of his own house, away from the sight of Count Emico and his followers,
that they might remain safe and sound in a very secure and strong
place.
But Emico and the rest of his band held a council and, after sunrise,
attacked the Jews in the hall with arrows and lances. Breaking
the bolts and doors, they killed the Jews, about seven hundred
in number, who in vain resisted the force and attack of so many
thousands. They killed the women, also, and with their swords
pierced tender children of whatever age and sex. The Jews, seeing
that their Christian enemies were attacking them and their children,
and that they were sparing no age, likewise fell upon one another,
brother, children, wives, and sisters, and thus they perished
at each other's hands. Horrible to say, mothers cut the throats
of nursing children with knives and stabbed others, preferring
them to perish thus by their own hands rather than to be killed
by the weapons of the uncircumcised.
From this cruel slaughter of the Jews a few escaped; and a few
because of fear, rather than because of love of the Christian
faith, were baptized. With very great spoils taken from these
people, Count Emico, Clarebold, Thomas, and all that intolerable
company of men and women then continued on their way to Jerusalem,
directing their course towards the Kingdom of Hungary, where passage
along the royal highway was usually not denied the pilgrims. But
on arriving at Wieselburg, the fortress of the King, which
the rivers Danube and Leytha protect with marshes, the bridge
and gate of the fortress were found closed by command of the King
of Hungary, for great fear had entered all the Hungarians because
of the slaughter which had happened to their brethren. . . .
But while almost everything had turned out favorably for the Christians,
and while they had penetrated the walls with great openings, by
some chance or misfortune, I know not what, such great fear entered
the whole army that they turned in flight, just as sheep are scattered
and alarmed when wolves rush upon them. And seeking a refuge here
and there, they forgot thei companions. . . .
Emico and some of his followers continued in their flight along
the way by which they had come. Thomas, Clarebold, and several
of their men escaped in flight toward Carinthia and Italy. So
the hand of the Lord is believed to have been against the pilgrim
who had sinned by excessive impurity and fornication, and who
had slaughtered the exiled Jews through greed of money, rather
than for the sake of God's justice, although the Jews were opposed
to Christ. The Lord is a just judge and orders no one unwillingly,
or under compulsion, to come under the yoke of the Catholic faith.
There was another detestable crime in this assemblage of wayfaring
people, who were foolish and insanely fickle. That the crime was
hateful to the Lord and incredible to the faithful is not to be
doubted. They asserted that a certain goose was inspired by the
Holy Spirit, and that a she goat was not less filled by the same
Spirit. These they made their guides on this holy journey to Jerusalem;
these they worshipped excessively; and most of the people following
them, like beasts, believed with their whole minds that this was
the true course. May the hearts of the faithful be free from the
thought that the Lord Jesus wished the Sepulchre of His most sacred
body to be visited by brutish and insensate animals, or that He
wished these to become the guides of Christian souls, which by
the price of His own blood He deigned to redeem from the filth
of idols! . . .
Source:
August. C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eyewitnesses
and Participants, (Princeton: 1921), 54-56
4. The End
of the Popular Crusade
The Emperor was moved by compassion on hearing this humble narrative
and ordered two hundred gold besants to be given to Peter; of
that money which was called tartaron he disbursed one measure
for his army. After that, peter retired from the conference and
from the palace of the Emperor. Although under the kind protection
of the Emperor, he rested only five days in the fields and lands
near Constantinople, where Walter the Penniless had likewise pitched
his tents. Becoming companions from that very day, thereafter
their troops, arms, and all necessary provisions were joined together.
Next, after five days, they moved their tents and, with the aid
of the Emperor, passed by boat over the Strait of St. George.
Entering the confines of Cappadocia, they advanced through mountainous
country into Nicomedia. and there passed the night. After this,
they pitched camp at the port called Civitote. There merchants
were constantly bringing ships laden with supplies of wine, corn,
oil, and barley, and with abundance of cheese, selling all to
the pilgrims with just measure.
While they were rejoicing in this abundance of necessities and
were resting their tired bodies, there came messengers from the
most Christian Emperor. Because of the danger of ambushes and
attacks from the Turks, thev forbade Peter and his whole army
front marching towards the mountainous region of the city of Nicaea,
until a greater number of Christians should be added to their
number. Peter heard the message, and he with all the Christian
people assented to the counsel of the Emperor. They tarried there
for the course of two months, feasting in peace and joy, and sleeping
secure from all hostile attacks.
And so two months later, having become wanton and unrestrained
because of ease and an inestimable abundance of food, heeding
not the voice of Peter, but against his will, they entered into
the region of the city of Nicaea and the realms of Soliman. They
took as plunder cattle, sheep, goats, the herds of the Greek servants
of the Turks, and carried them off to their fellows. Peter, seeing
this, was sorrowful in heart, knowing that they did it not with
impunity. Whereupon he often admonished them not to seize any
more booty contrary to the counsel of the Emperor, but in vain
did he speak to a foolish and rebellious people. . . .
But the Teutons, seeing that affairs turned out so well for the
Romans and the Franks, and that they returned unhindered so many
times with their booty, were inflamed with an inordinate desire
for plunder. About three thousand footsoldiers were collected
and about two hundred knights. . . .
And thus, after all the stronghold had been captured and its inhabitants
driven out, they rejoiced in the abundance of food found there.
And exulting in that victory, they in turn gave counsel that,
by remaining in that fortress, they could easily obtain, through
their own valor, the lands and principality of Soliman; that they
would gather from all sides booty and food, and thus could easily
weaken Soliman, until the promised army of the great leaders should
approach. Soliman, the leader and chief of the army of the Turks,
having heard of the arrival of the Christians, and of their plunder
and booty, assembled from all Romania and the territory of Chorosan
fifteen thousand of his Turks, most agile archers, very skilful
in the use of bows of horn and bone. . . . Next, it is said, that
after sunrise on the third day, Soliman with his followers arrived
from Nicaea at the fortress which the Teutons had invaded. . .
.
Therefore, the Turks, unable to drive out the Alemanni with this
assault and shower of arrows, gathered all kinds of wood at the
very gate of the fortress. They set fire to it and burned the
gate and very many buildings which were within the citadel. As
the heat of the flames became greater, some were burned to death;
others, hoping for safety, leaped from the walls. But the Turks
who were outside the walls cut down with swords those who were
fleeing and took captive about two hundred who were pleasing in
appearance and youthful in body; all the others they destroyed
with sword and arrow. . . .
In the meantime, the truth was discovered and tumult arose among
the people. The footsoldiers came in a body to Reinald of Broyes,
Walter the Penniless, to Walter of Breteuil, also, and to Folker
of Orleans, who were leaders of Peter's army, to urge them to
rise in a body in vindication of their brethren and against audacity
of the Turks. But they positively refused to go without the presence
and the counsel of Peter. Then Godfrey Burel, master of the footsoldiers,
upon hearing their response, asserted that the timid by no means
avail so much in war as the bold; and in sharp words he frequently
reproached those men who prevented their other companions from
pursuing the Turks to avenge their brethren. On the other band,
the leaders of the legion, unable to endure his insults and reproaches
any longer, or those of their own followers, were deeply moved
by wrath and indignation and promised that they would go against
the strength and wiles of the Turks, even if it should happen
that they died in battle.
Nor was there delay: at dawn on the fourth day, all the knights
and foot soldiers throughout the entire camp were ordered to arm
themselves, to sound the trumpets, and to assemble for battle.
Only the unarmed, the countless sick, and the women remained in
camp. But all the armed men, to the number of 25,000 foot soldiers
and 500 knights in armor, pressed on their way together toward
Nicaea, in order to avenge their brethren by provoking Soliman
and the rest of the Turks to engage in battle. And so, divided
and arrayed in six battle lines, with standards uplifted in each,
they advanced on the right and on the left.
Boasting and shouting with vehement tumult and great clamor, they
had scarcely advanced through the aforesaid forest and mountain
region three miles from the port of Civitote, their halting place,
(Peter being absent and unaware of all this), when lo! Soliman,
with all his intolerable following, entered that same forest from
the opposite side. He was coming down from the city of Nicaea
to fall suddenly u on the Gauls in camp, intending at thepoint
of the sword to wipe out and destroy them, unaware and unprepared.
Upon hearing the approach and the violent outcry of the Christians,
he marvelled greatly what this tumult meant, for all that the
Christians had decided was unknown to him. Finding out straightway
that they were pilgrims, Soliman addressed his men as follows,
"Behold the Franks, against whom we were marching, are at
band. Let us withdraw from the forest and the mountains into the
open plain, where we may freely engage in battle with them, and
they can find no refuge." Accordingly, this was done without
delay, at Soliman's command, and in deep silence they withdrew
from the forest and the mountains.
But the Franks, unaware of Soliman's approach, advanced from the
forest and the mountains with shouting and loud clamor. There
they first beheld the battle lines of Soliman in the midst of
the field, awaiting them for battle. When they had seen the Turks,
they began to encourage one another in the name of the Lord....
There Walter the Penniless fell, pierced by seven arrows which
bad penetrated his coat of mail. Reinald of Broyes and Folker
of Chartres, men of the greatest renown in their own lands, fell
in like martyrdom, destroyed by the enemy, though not without
great slaughter of the Turks. But Walter of Breuteuil, son of
Waleramnus, and Godfrey Burel, master of the footsoldiers, having
slipped away in flight through briars and thickets, turned back
along the narrow path where the entire band, withdrawn from battle,
had gathered together. When the flight and desertion of these
men became known, all turned in flight, hastening their course
towards Civitote along the same route by which they had come,
but with little defense against the enemy.
And so the Turks, rejoicing in the pleasing success of victory,
were destroying the wretched band of pilgrims, whom they followed
for a distance of three miles, killing them even at the camp of
Peter. And going within the tents, they destroyed with the sword
whomever they found, the weak and the feeble, clerics, monks,
old women, nursing children, persons of every age. But they led
away young girls whose face and form was pleasing in their eyes,
and beardless youths of comely countenance. They carried off to
Nicaea money, garments, mules, horses, and all valuable things,
as well as the tents themselves,
But above the shore of the sea, near the aforesaid Civitote, was
an ancient, deserted fortress. Towards that fortress three thousand
pilgrims rushed in flight. They entered the ruined fortress in
hope of defense. But finding no gates or other obstacles, and
anxious and deprived of aid, they piled up their shields for a
gate, along with a huge pile of rocks; and with lances, wooden
bows, and slingstones, they bravely defended themselves from the
enemy. But the Turks, seeing that they were having little success
in killing those inside, surrounded the fortress, which was without
a roof on all sides. They aimed their arrows high, so that, as
they fell from the air in a shower, they would strike the bodies
of the enclosed Christians, destroying the poor wretches; and
that all the others, at the sight of this, might be compelled
to surrender. In this way very many are said to have been wounded
and killed there; but the rest, fearing yet more cruel treatment
from the impious enemy, could not be compelled to come out either
by.' force or by arms.
The Emperor was moved with pity when he bad heard from Peter about
the siege and the fall of his men. So he summoned the Turcopoles
and all the nations , of his kingdom, and commanded them to go
in all haste across the Strait to the aid of the fugitive and
besieged Christians, and to drive the assaulting Turks from the
siege. But the Turks, having learned of the Emperor's edict moved
from the fortress at midnight with their Christian captives and
very great spoils, and so the pilgrim soldiers who had been shut
up and besieged by the impious (Turks) were freed. . . .
Source:
August. C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eyewitnesses
and Participants, (Princeton: 1921), 73-76
5. Godfrey of Bouillon in Constantinople
With his entire band of pilgrims Godfrey withdrew to the city
of Constantinople itself. There, after pitching their tents, they
lodged, a strong and powerful band, protected by armor and all
warlike equipment. And, behold, at the meeting Hugh, Drogo, William
Carpenter, and Clarebold, set free by the Emperor, were present,
rejoicing because of the arrival of the Duke and of his multitudes,
and meeting the embrace of the Duke and of the others with many
a kiss. And, likewise, the above mentioned messenger of the Emperor
met the Duke, asking him to come to the palace of the Emperor
with some of the chiefs of his army, that be might hear the word
of the King. The rest of his multitude should remain outside the
walls of the city. Scarcely bad the Duke received the message
when, behold, some strangers from the land of the Franks appeared
by stealth in his camp. The strangers cautioned the Duke very
strongly to beware of the wiles and alluring appearance of the
Emperor, and by no means to go to the Emperor because of some
flattering promise, but to sit outside the walls and listen carefully
to all which the Emperor should propose to him. Thereupon, the
Duke, so warned by the strangers, and caught by the deception
of the Greeks, did not go to the Emperor.
For this reason, the Emperor, moved by a violent indignation towards
the Duke and all his army, refused them the privilege of buying
and selling. But when Baldwin, brother of the Duke, learned of
the wrath of the Emperor and saw the need of the people and their
very great lack of necessaries, he pleaded with the Duke and the
leaders to plunder again the region and lands of the Greeks, and
to collect spoils and food, until the Emperor, compelled by this
damage, should again grant the privilege of buying and selling.
Therefore, when the Emperor saw devastation and misfortune befalling
the lands of his kingdom, he once more gave to all the privilege
of buying and selling.
It was the time of the Nativity of the Lord. At that festal time,
and in those days of peace and joy, it seemed to all praiseworthy,
good, and acceptable before God that peace should be restored
on both sides between the household of the Emperor and the Duke
and all the mighty ones of the army. And so, when peace had been
made, they withheld their hands from all plunder and hurt. Accordingly,
during those four holy days they rested in all quiet and happiness
before the walls of the city Constantinople.
Four days after, the legation of the Emperor went to the Duke
asking, for the sake of the Emperor and his entreaties, that he
would move his camp, and with his army lodge in the houses situated
on the shore of the Straight, so that their tents might not become
wet and worn from wintry cold and snow, which was threatening
in that rainy season. Finally, the Duke and all the other leaders
yielded to the will of the Emperor, and, after moving their tents,
they, with all the Christian army, lodged in the castles and turreted
buildings which were along the shore for a distance of thirty
miles. From that day on successively they found and bought every
abundance of food and necessities by order of the Emperor.
Shortly after, an embassy of the Emperor again appeared before
the Duke, urging him to go and learn what the Emperor bad to say.
This the Duke absolutely refused to do, having been warned by
the strangers of the craftiness of the Emperor. But he sent to
him as messengers the distinguished men Conon, Count of Montaigu,
Baldwin of Burg, and Godfrey of Ascha, who were to make excuses
for him, speaking in this manner: "Duke Godfrey to the Emperor;
trust and obedience. Willingly and eagerly would I come before
you to look upon the wealth and glory of your household, were
it not that many evil rumors, which have come to my ears regarding
you, have terrified me. However, I know not whether these reports
have been invented and spread about from envy or malice towards
you." The Emperor, bearing this, warmly protested his innocence
of all these charges, saying that never should the Duke or any
of his followers fear any artifice on his part, but that he would
serve and honor the Duke as his son, and the Duke's associates
as his friends. Then the messengers of the Duke, on their return,
reported favorably on all the good and faithful promises which
they had heard from the Emperor's lips. But the Duke, still placing
little faith in the honeyed promises of the Emperor, again refused
him a conference. And so, between these messages back and forth,
fifteen days rolled away.
Therefore the Emperor, recognizing the firmness of the Duke and
that he could not be lured before him, again took offense and
withdrew the privilege of buying barley, and fish, and then bread,
so that the Duke, thus coerced, could not refuse to enter the
presence of the Emperor. The Emperor, unsuccessful in changing
the Duke's mind, one day had five hundred Turcopoles armed with
bows and quivers taken in ships across the strait. Early in the
morning, they shot the soldiers of the Duke with arrows; some
they killed, others they wounded, keeping them all from the shore,
so that they could not there buy the usual food.
This cruel report was carried immediately to the chair of the
Duke. He thereupon ordered the trumpets to be sounded and all
the people to arm themselves and return to the city of Constantinople
itself, and there to replace their tents. After the trumpets had
been sounded at this command of the Duke, all rushed to arms.
They laid waste the buildings and towers in which they had been
lodged, setting fire to some, pulling others to pieces, thus causing
irreparable damage to Constantinople.
Finally, when the report of this great fire and destruction had
reached the palace, the Duke became excessively alarmed, fearing
that when the flaming buildings and the noise of a moving army
had been noticed, the knights and archers of the Emperor would
suddenly seize the bridge over which they had come from the city
of Constantinople to the palatial residences. Therefore, without
delay he sent Baldwin, his brother, with five hundred armored
knights to seize the bridge, lest any force of the Emperor, anticipating
him, should destroy it, and thus deny the pilgrims passage back
and forth.
Baldwin bad scarcely taken a stand on the middle of the bridge,
when, behold, from right and left, Turcopoles (the soldiers of
the Emperor brought over on the ships) rushed upon them from all
sides with arrows and fiercely attacked them. Baldwin, unable
to resist from the bridge, hastened to escape their arrows by
going across the bridge. Along the dry shore he swiftly betook
himself to the other side of the bridge, (hoping) to hold it and
keep watch upon the walls of the lord and master of the city while
the entire army passed over that bridge, and the Duke with his
men kept guard from the rear. In the meantime, from the gates
opposite St. Argenteus an infinite band of Turcopoles and
soldiers of every kind, equipped with bows and arms of every description,
ran for. ward to attack Baldwin and the whole band of Christian
people. But in the appointed place Baldwin, immovable and unconquered,
withstood their every attack from early morning even to vespers,
until the people were taken across the bridge and lodged in the
camps placed before the walls of the city. Baldwin, with his five
hundred knights, advanced fiercely upon these same Turcopoles
who had come out from the gates and were attacking the people.
Both sides having engaged in heavy battle, very many fell on this
side and that, and very many horses of the Franks perished by
arrows. But Baldwin, conquering at last, forced these harried
and fleeing soldiers of the Emperor to go inside the gates. Then
the Turcopoles and soldiers of the Emperor, indignant that they
had been beaten and put to flight in war, rushed forth again from
the gates in larger numbers to harass and attack the army.
Then the Duke arrived and, since it was night, brought an end
to the fight, advising his brother to return to camp with all
his forces, and to keep his men from fighting during the night.
Likewise, the Emperor himself, fearing that the tempest of war
would become more and more violent, and that his soldiers would
fail and perish in the darkness of evening, commanded peace to
be made, rejoicing that the Duke had been willing to withdraw
his army from battle.
But after sunrise the next day, the people, surging forth at the
command of the Duke, wandered about plundering the lands and kingdom
of the Emperor for six days, so that, to say the least, the pride
of the Emperor and his men seemed to be humbled. When this became
known, the Emperor began to grieve and lament because his lands
and kingdom were being thus devastated. Taking counsel immediately,
he sent a message to the Duke to the effect that he should prohibit
plunder and fire, and that he himself would give satisfaction
in every respect to the Duke. The message ran as follows: "Let
enmity between you and us cease. Let the Duke, upon receiving
hostages as a pledge from me, advance without any doubt that he
will come and return unharmed, assured of all the honor and glory
which we are able to give him and his people." The Duke graciously
agreed, provided hostages were given to whom he could trust his
life and safety; then without doubt he would come to the Emperor,
freely to speak by word of mouth.
Hardly had the legates of the Emperor departed after this response
of the Duke, when, behold, certain other legates, coming to the
same Duke from Bohemund, greeted him, speaking thus: "Bohemund,
the most wealthy prince of Sicily and Calabria, asks that you
by no means enter into peace with the Emperor; but that you withdraw
to Adrianople and Philippopolis, cities of the Bulgarians, and
pass the winter there. You may be certain that this same Bohemund
will come to your aid with all his troops early in the month of
March, to attack the Emperor and to invade his kingdom."
After he had heard the message of Bohemund, the Duke put off answering
it until the next day. Then, upon the counsel of his followers,
he replied that neither for gain nor for the destruction of Christians
had he left his country and kindred, but, rather, in the name
of Christ to pursue the way to Jerusalem. He wished to accomplish
this and to fight the designs of the Emperor, provided he could
regain and keep his favor and good will. The messengers of Bohemund,
upon learning the reply and intention of the Duke, were graciously
commended by him and returned to the country of Apulia, reporting
all as they had heard it from the lips of the Duke.
Learning of this new embassy and suggestion from Bohemund, the
Emperor yet more earnestly urged the Duke and his friends to enter
upon an agreement with him; he would give his most beloved son,
John, as hostage, on condition that they would make peace, would
pass through the country quietly, and would meet him in conference
face to face. Furthermore, be would favor Godfrey and his followers
with the privilege of buying all necessaries. When the Duke learned
that these promises of the Emperor had been made in the form of
a decree, he moved his camp from the wall of the city by the advice
of his council and again withdrew across the bridge to take lodging
in the fortified dwellings on the strait. He admonished all his
people to remain at peace, and to purchase whatever was necessary
without disturbance.
On the following day, he commanded Conon, Count of Montaigu, and
Baldwin of Burg, most noble men and skilled in speaking, to come
before him. He then confidently directed them to receive as hostage
the Emperor's son, which was done. When, therefore, the Emperor's
son had been brought and placed in faithful custody under the
power of the Duke and his men, the Duke was carried at once by
boat through the Strait to Constantinople. Accompanied by the
distinguished men, Werner of Grez, Peter of Dampierre, and the
other leaders, he boldly advanced to the Court of the Emperor
and stood before him, that he might hear his word and reply to
him by word of mouth. Baldwin, however, by no means entered then
into the palace of the Emperor, but remained on the shore with
the multitude.
Upon seeing the magnificence of the Duke and all his men, honorably
clad, as they were, in splendid and rich apparel of purple and
gold, bordered with ermine white as snow, with martin, and other
kinds of fur, such as the princes of Gaul, especially, wear, the
Emperor heartily admired their pomp and splendor. He first graciously
received the Duke, then all his chiefs and companions, whom be
honored with the kiss of peace. Moreover, the Emperor sat in majesty
upon his throne, according to his custom, and did not rise to
give the kiss to the Duke, or anyone. But the Duke, together with
his men, bowed with bended knees to kiss so glorious and great
an Emperor. When at last all had received the kiss, according
to their rank, he spoke to the Duke in these words: "I have
heard that you are the most mighty knight and prince in your land,
a man most prudent and of perfect trust, In the presence of this
multitude and more to come, 1, therefore, take you for my adopted
son; and all that I possess I place in your power, that through
you my empire and lands may be saved and freed."
The Duke, appeased and seduced by these friendly and lofty words
of the Emperor, not only recognized himself as his son, according
to the custom of the country, but, likewise, giving him his band,
declared himself his vassal, together with the princes then present,
who followed the Duke in the ceremony. Nor was there delay. Invaluable
gifts of all kinds were brought from the treasury of the Emperor,
both gold and silver, purples, mules, and horses, and all that
he held valuable. So, indeed, the Emperor and the Duke were bound
by the indissoluble bond of perfect faith and friendship, from
the time of the Nativity of the Lord, when the agreement took
place, even to a few days before Pentecost. Every week, four men,
bearing gold besants, with ten measures of money called tartaron,
were sent from the palace of the Emperor to the Duke to provide
sustenance for the soldiers. Wonderful to relate! All that the
Duke distributed to his men from the gifts of the Emperor was
forthwith returned to the treasury of the Emperor in exchange
for food. Nor is this to be wondered at, for none but the Emperor's
wares (such as wine, and oil, as well as grain, barley, and every
kind of food) were in that whole kingdom. And thus the treasury
of the Emperor was always filled with gold and could not be emptied
by any extravagance.
After peace and concord between the Emperor and the Duke had been
made on the conditions we have named, the Duke, still more certain
of the Emperor's faith and friendship, returned to lodge in the
buildings on the Strait and sent back with honor the Emperor's
son, who had remained a hostage up to this time. On the day following,
it was announced through the entire army, by order of the Duke,
that peace and honor should be shown to the Emperor and to all
in his command, and that justice should be preserved in transactions
of buying and selling. Similarly, the Emperor proclaimed in all
his realm that no one, under penalty of death, should harm or
defraud any one of the army, but that they should sell all things
with just weight and measure to the pilgrims, and, indeed, should
lessen the price.
After these events, at the beginning of Lent, the Emperor summoned
the Duke into his presence and begged him, on his pledge of friendship,
to cross the sea and pitch his tents in Cappadocia, on account
of the buildings which his incorrigible people were destroying.
The Duke graciously assented to this, and, after crossing the
river and pitching camp, be and his people tarried on the plains
of Cappadocia.
After this, everything was gradually sold more dearly to the pilgrims,
but, nevertheless, the gifts of the Emperor to the Duke were not
at all diminished, for he feared him greatly. But the Duke, seeing
the difficulty of buying necessaries and unable to endure the
clamor of his people, went often by ship to the Emperor and complained
to him about the high price of food stuffs. Then the Emperor,
as though unaware of this, and unwilling to have it occur, again
lightened the burden for all the pilgrims.
Source:
August. C. Krey, The First Crusade: The Accounts of Eyewitnesses
and Participants, (Princeton: 1921), 80-86
This text is part of the Internet Medieval Source Book.
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© Paul Halsall December 1997
[email protected]
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