Albert of Aix: HISTORIA HIEROSOLYMITANAE EXPEDITIONIS

Incipit liber primus Expeditionis Hierosolymitanae urbis, ubi clarissimi ducis Godefridi inclita gesta narrantur, cujus labore et studio civitas sancta ab infidelibus liberata, sanctae Ecclesiae filiis est restituta. Diu multumque his usque diebus, ob inaudita et plurimum admiranda, saepius accensus sum desiderio ejusdem expeditionis et faciendae orationis illic, dum ferverem. Sed cum minime, ob diversa impedimenta, intentioni meae effectus daretur, temerario ausu decrevi saltem ex his aliqua memoriae commendare, quae auditu et revelatione nota fierent ab his qui praesentes adfuissent, ut vel sic non in otio, sed quasi in via, si non corpore, at tota mente et animo consocius essem, elaborare.

Here begins the first book of the Expedition to the city of Jerusalem, in which the renowned deeds of the most illustrious duke Godefrid are recounted, by whose labour and zeal the holy city was freed from the infidels and restored to the sons of the holy Church. For long and many days even to these times, on account of unheard-of and most admirable things, I was often kindled with desire for that same expedition and to make a pilgrimage there while my ardour burned. But since in no wise, because of diverse impediments, was effect given to my intention, by a rash daring I resolved at least to commit some of these things to memory, which might be made known by hearing and revelation from those who had been present, so that thus, not in leisure but as it were on the road, if not in body, yet with my whole mind and spirit I might be made consociate, and set them down.

Quapropter [0389B] de labore et miseriis, de firmata fide, de robustorum principum caeterorumque hominum conspiratione bona in amore Christi quomodo scilicet relinquerint patriam, cognatos, uxores, filios, filiasque, urbes, castella, agros, regna et omnem hujus mundi dulcedinem, certa pro incertis, et in nomine Jesu exsilia quaesierint, quomodo in manu forti et exercitu robusto iter Hierosolymam fecerint, et mille millies Turcorum Sarracenorumque legiones audaci assultu triumphantes occiderint, quomodo introitum et accessum sacri sepulcri Domini nostri Jesu Christi patefecerint, census et tributa peregrinorum, huc intrare cupientium, ex toto remiserint, pro viribus nostris exiguis, puerili et incauto stylo [0389C] scribere praesumpsi.

Wherefore [0389B] concerning the toil and miseries, concerning steadfast faith, concerning how robust princes and other men, by a conspiracy of goodness, left behind country, kinsfolk, wives, sons and daughters, towns, castles, fields, kingdoms and every sweetness of this world,—certain for uncertain, and sought exiles in the name of Jesus,—how with a strong hand and a mighty army they made the journey to Jerusalem, and by a daring assault slew thousands upon thousands of Turks and Saracens, how they opened the entrance and access to the sacred Sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ, and entirely remitted the taxes and tributes of pilgrims who desired to enter,—I have presumed, with our scant powers, in a childish and unpracticed style [0389C], to write.

CAP. II. - Quomodo Petrus eremita primus auctor exstiterit expeditionis in Jerusalem.

CHAPTER 2. - How Peter the Hermit first arose as the author of the expedition to Jerusalem.

Sacerdos quidam, Petrus nomine, quondam eremita, ortus de civitate Amiens, quae est in occidente de regno Francorum, omni instinctu, quo potuit, hujus viae constantiam primum adhortatus est, in Beru regione praefati regni factus praedicator, in omni admonitione et sermone. Hujus admonitione assidua et vocatione, episcopi, abbates, clerici et [0390A] monachi, deinde laici nobilissimi, diversorum regnorum principes; totumque vulgus, tam casti quam incesti, adulteri, homicidae, fures, perjuri, praedones, universum scilicet genus Christianae professionis, quin et sexus femineus, poenitentia ducti ad hanc laetanter concurrunt viam. Qua occasione et intentione hanc viam idem eremita praedicaverit, et ejus primus ductor exstiterit, praesens pagina declarabit.

A certain priest, by name Petrus, once a hermit, born of the city of Amiens, which is in the west of the kingdom of the Franks, with every instinct he could, first exhorted to constancy in this way; made a preacher in the Berry region of the aforesaid kingdom, he was constant in every admonition and sermon. By this assiduous admonition and calling, bishops, abbots, clerics and monks, then the most noble laity, princes of diverse kingdoms; and the whole multitude, both chaste and unchaste, adulterers, murderers, thieves, perjurers, robbers, in short the entire sort of Christian profession, nay even the female sex, led by penance, gladly flock to this way. On which occasion and with what intention the same hermit preached this way and became its first leader, the present page will declare.

CAP. III. - Quomodo patriarcham adierit.

CHAPTER 3. - How he approached the patriarch.

Hic sacerdos, aliquot annis ante hujus viae initium causa orationis, Hierosolymam profectus est, ubi in oratorio Dominici sepulcri (proh dolor!) visa quaedam illicita et nefanda tristi animo accepit, et infremuit spiritu; ipsumque Dominum judicem [0390B] super istis injuriis appellat. Tandem super nefariis operibus motus, patriarcham sanctae Hierosolymitanae Ecclesiae expetit, et, cur pateretur gentiles et impios sancta inquinare, et ab his fidelium oblationes asportare, item ecclesia uti pro prostibulis, Christianos colaphizari, peregrinos sanctos injusta mercede spoliari et multis oppressionibus angustiari requirit.

This priest, having journeyed to Jerusalem for the sake of prayer some years before the beginning of this way, where in the oratory of the Lord’s sepulchre (proh dolor!) he perceived certain illicit and nefarious things, received them with a sad mind and groaned in spirit; and he calls upon the Lord as judge [0390B] over these injuries. Finally, moved by the nefarious works, he sought the patriarch of the holy Jerusalem Church, and asked why he suffered gentiles and the impious to defile holy things, and to carry off the offerings of the faithful from them, likewise that the church be used as brothels, that Christians be struck, that holy pilgrims be robbed of unjust reward and distressed by many oppressions.

CAP. IV. - Quid patriarcha Petro responderit, et quomodo auxilia Christianorum invitaverit.

CHAPTER 4. - What the patriarch answered to Peter, and how he summoned the aid of the Christians.

Patriarcha vero et venerabilis sacerdos sepulcri Dominici, his auditis, pia et fidelia profert responsa: «O fidelissime Christianorum, quid super his compellas et inquietas paternitatem nostram, cum nostrae [0390C] vires vel potentia non magis quam formica exigua adversus tantorum superbiam computentur? Vita enim nostra aut assiduis redimitur tributis; aut mortiferis deputatur suppliciis. Et majora asperamus de die in diem adfore pericula, nisi Christianorum adfuerint auxilia, quae tua legatione invitamus.» Cui Petrus in hunc modum respondit: «Venerande Pater, satis comperimus, et nunc intelligimus ac videmus quam invalida manus Christianorum sit tecum hic inhabitantium, et quantis subjacentis [0391A] oppressionibus gentilium.

The patriarch and venerable priest of the Lord’s sepulchre, hearing these things, utters pious and faithful answers: “O most faithful one of the Christians, why do you press and trouble our fatherhood about these matters, when our [0390C] strength or power is counted no more than a tiny ant against the pride of such men? For our life is either purchased by continual tributes, or allotted to deadly tortures. And day by day we expect greater dangers to come, unless the aids of the Christians arrive, which we invite by your legation.” To whom Peter replied in this manner: “Venerable Father, we have learned enough, and now we understand and see how weak the hand of the Christians is with you who dwell here, and beneath what great [0391A] oppressions of the gentiles you lie.

Qua de causa, ob Domini gratiam, et vestram liberationem et sanctorum emundationem, Domino comite, vita sospite rediens imprimis dominum apostolicum requiram, deinde omnes primates Christianorum reges, duces, comites, et principatum regni tenentes, servitutis vestrae miseriam, et angustiarum tolerantiam cunctis insinuans. Jam omnia inter se haec nuntia aeque videntur ut fiant.»

For this reason, for the grace of the Lord, and for your liberation and the cleansing of the saints, with the Lord as companion, my life preserved and returning I will first seek out the apostolic lord, then all the primates of the Christians — kings, dukes, counts, and those holding the principality of the kingdom — setting before them the misery of your servitude and the endurance of your afflictions to all. Now all these dispatches among themselves seem equally agreed so that they may be carried into effect.

CAP. V. - Quomodo majestas Domini Jesu in somnis Petro apparuerit, eumque allocuta sit.

CHAPTER 5. - How the majesty of the Lord Jesus appeared to Peter in a dream, and addressed him.

Interim tenebris coelo circumquaque incumbentibus, Petrus orandi causa ad sanctum sepulcrum redit, ubi sub vigiliis et orationibus fatigatus, somno decipitur. Cui in visu majestas Domini Jesu oblata [0391B] est, hominem mortalem et fragilem sic dignata alloqui: «Petre, dilectissime fili Christianorum, surgens visitabis patriarcham nostrum, et ab eo sumes cum sigillo sanctae crucis litteras legationis nostrae, et in terram cognationis tuae iter quantocius accelerabis, calumnias et injurias populo nostro et loco sancto illatas reserabis, et suscitabis corda fidelium ad purganda loca sancta Jerusalem, et ad restauranda officia sanctorum. Per pericula enim et tentationes varias, paradisi portae nunc aperientur vocatis et electis.»

Meanwhile, with the heavens and surrounding places dark, Peter returns to the holy sepulcher to pray, where, wearied by vigils and prayers, he is overtaken by sleep. To him in a vision the majesty of the Lord Jesus was presented [0391B], and thus deigned to address a mortal, fragile man: «Peter, most beloved son of the Christians, rising you will visit our patriarch, and from him you will take, with the seal of the holy cross, the letters of our legation, and you will hasten your journey to the land of your kin as soon as possible; you will unseal the calumnies and injuries inflicted on our people and the holy place, and you will awaken the hearts of the faithful to purge the holy places of Jerusalem, and to restore the offices of the saints. For through dangers and various temptations, the gates of paradise will now open to the called and the elect.»

CAP. VI. - Quomodo Petrus Romam venerit, legatione apostolica retulerit, et de terraemotu.

CHAPTER 6. - How Peter came to Rome, bore back the apostolic legation, and concerning the earthquake.

Ad hanc itaque miram et dignam Domino revelationem, subtracta visione. Petrus somno expergefactus [0391C] est. Qui in primo diei crepusculo processit a limine templi, patriarcham petiit, visionem Domini sibi ex ordine, aperuit, litteras legationis divinae cum signo sanctae crucis requirit.

To this wondrous and to the Lord worthy revelation, the vision having been withdrawn, Peter was awakened from sleep. At the first dawn of day he proceeded from the threshold of the temple, sought the patriarch, related to him the vision of the Lord in order, and demanded the letters of the divine legation with the sign of the holy cross.

Quas ille dare non recusavit, sed cum gratiarum actione accommodavit. Accepta hinc licentia, in obedientia legationis ad natales oras regressus est. Non modica anxietate navigio per mare regressus, ad civitatem Barum revehitur.

Which he did not refuse to give, but granted with an action of thanksgiving. From there, having received permission, he returned in obedience to the legation to his native shores. With no small anxiety he returned by ship over the sea, and was conveyed back to the city of Barum.

Ubi terris redditus, Romam sine mora proficiscitur. Ibi, reperto apostolico, quam audivit et accepit a Deo et patriarcha legationem retulit super immunditiis gentilium et injuriis sanctorum et peregrinorum. Haec autem apostolicus mente voluntaria et intenta ut accepit, in omnibus se promisit mandatis parere sanctorum [0391D] precibus.

When restored to the lands, he set out for Rome without delay. There, having come upon the apostolic authority, he reported the legation which he had heard and received from God and from the patriarch concerning the impurities of the Gentiles and the injuries done to the saints and to pilgrims. These things, however, the apostolic man, having received them with a willing and intent mind, promised in all respects to obey the mandates and the prayers of the saints [0391D].

Qua de causa sollicitus venit ad civitatem Vercellas transactisque Alpibus, conventum totius occidentalis Franciae, et concilium apud Podium, civitatem sanctae Mariae fieri decrevit. Deinde ad Clarummontem in Arvernis proficiscitur. Ubi audita legatione divina et admonitione apostolica, episcopi totius Franciae, duces ac comites, magnique principes cujusque ordinis ac gradus, expeditionem ex proprio sumptu ad ipsum sepulcrum Domini annuerunt.

Wherefore, being anxious, he came to the city of Vercellae, and, the Alps having been crossed, he decreed that a convent of all western France and a council at Podium, the city of Saint Mary, be held. Thence he set out for Clarummont in the Arverni. There, the divine legation and the apostolic admonition having been heard, the bishops of all France, dukes and counts, and the great princes of every order and degree consented to the expedition at their own expense to the very sepulchre of the Lord.

Ipso etenim in regno amplissimo conspiratio et conjuratio sancta hujus viae, datis dextris, inter potentissimos exivit. In quorum affirmatione terraemotus magnus factus est, nil aliud portendens quam diversorum regnorum iter moturas legiones, [0392A] tam ex regno Franciae quam Lotharingiae terrae, Teutonicorum simul et Anglorum et ex regione Danorum.

In that very vast kingdom a conspiracy and oath-bound conjuration of this way, with right hands given, arose among the most powerful. At whose assurance a great earthquake was made, [0392A] portending nothing else than that legions would move the march of diverse realms, both from the kingdom of France and the land of Lotharingia, together of the Teutonic peoples and the English and from the region of the Danes.

CAP. VII. - De quodam Waltero eunte Hierosolymam, quid egerit, vel quid pertulerit.

CHAPTER 7. - Concerning a certain Walter going to Jerusalem, what he did, or what he endured.

Anno Dominicae Incarnationis millesimo nonagesimo quinto, indictione quarta, Henrico, quarto rege ac tertio imperatore Romanorum Augusto, anno regni sui quadragesimo tertio, imperii vero decimo tertio, Urbano secundo qui et Odardus apostolico, octavo die mensis Martii, Walterus, cognomento Senzavehor, miles egregius, cum magna societate Francigenarum peditum, solummodo octo habens equites, ex admonitione praedicti Petri eremitae, in initio viae Hierosolymitanae intravit [0392B] regnum Hungariae. Ubi cognita virtute, et audita animi illius intentione et causa assumptae viae, a domino Calomano, rege Christianissimo Hungarorum, benigne susceptus est, et concessus est sibi pacifice transitus per universam terram regni sui, et emendi licentia. Hic itaque sine offensione, et aliquo adverso incursu, usque ad Bellegravam, civitatem Bulgarorum, profectus est, transiens Malevillam, ubi terminantur fines regni Hungarorum.

In the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1095, in the fourth indiction, under Henry, fourth king and third emperor of the Romans Augustus, in the forty‑third year of his reign and indeed the thirteenth of his empire, Urban II, who is also Odardus apostolic, on the eighth day of the month of March, Walter, surnamed Senzavehor, an outstanding knight, with a great company of French peditates, having only eight horsemen, by the admonition of the aforesaid Peter the hermit, at the beginning of the Jerusalem way entered the kingdom of Hungary [0392B]. Where, his virtue being known, and his mind’s intention and the cause of his undertaken way having been heard, he was kindly received by Lord Coloman, the most Christian king of the Hungarians, and was granted peaceful passage through the whole land of his kingdom and leave to buy provisions. He therefore, without offence and without any hostile incursion, proceeded as far as Bellegrava, a city of the Bulgars, passing Malevilla, where the bounds of the kingdom of the Hungarians are terminated.

Illic pacifice fluvium Maroc navigio trajecit. Sed in eodem loco Malevillae sedecim de comitatu illius remorati sunt, ut emerent arma, ignorante Waltero qui jam diu fluvium transierat. Hungari vero quidam perversae mentis videntes procul Valteri absentiam et illius exercitus, manus sedecim illis [0392C] injecerunt; quos armis, vestibus, auro et argento spoliaverunt, et sic nudi et vacui abire permissi sunt.

There he peacefully crossed the river Maroc by boat. But in the same place, sixteen of his comitatus at Malevilla delayed themselves to purchase arms, Walter being unaware, who had already long since crossed the river. Now certain Hungarians of perverse mind, seeing from afar Walter’s absence and that of his army, laid hands upon those sixteen; whom they despoiled of arms, garments, gold and silver, and thus, naked and bereft, were allowed to depart.

Hi vero dolentes, rebus et armis vacui, usque ad praedictam Belegravam, quo Walterus cum omni manu sua extra muros ad hospitandum tentoria posuerat, iter acceleraverunt, omne infortunium quod eis acciderat sibi referentes. Sed Walterus aequo animo, quia reditus ad vindictam taedio erat, accepit. In ipsa denique nocte qua socii nudi et vacui recepti sunt, Walterus emendi vitae necessaria requisivit a principe Bulgarorum et magistratu civitatis; qui, fraudes et exploratores terrae existimantes, omnia venalia eis interdixerunt.

These men, however, grieving and stripped of goods and arms, hastened their march even to the aforesaid Belegrava, where Walter with his whole band had pitched tents outside the walls to give hospitality, recounting to themselves every misfortune that had befallen them. But Walter received it with an even mind, because the thought of returning for vengeance was wearisome. On that very night in which the companions, naked and destitute, were received, Walter besought of the prince of the Bulgars and the magistrates of the city the necessaries for buying life; who, deeming them crafty and scouts of the land, forbade to them all things that were for sale.

Quapropter Walterus et omnis illius comitatus animo graviter motus armenta, boves et oves illorum, quae per [0392D] agros ad pabula herbarum emissae passim vagabantur, coeperunt vi rapere et abducere, quousque gravis seditio inter peregrinos, et Bulgaros, gregem suum excutientes, accrescere coepit et misceri armis. Dum tandem virtute Bulgarorum invalescente usque ad centum et quadraginta millia, de peregrino exercitu a multitudine societatis quidam divisi, in quoddam oratorium fugientes devenerunt. Bulgari vero, accrescente suorum manu et Waltero deficiente ac cum tota societate diffugium faciente, oratorium obsidentes, sexaginta ex inclusis combusserunt; caeteros, vix ab hostibus et oratorio pro defensione vitae elabentes, plurimos gravi vulnere percusserunt.

Wherefore Walterus and all his retinue, grievously moved in spirit, began to seize and carry off by force the herds, the oxen and sheep of those men, which, having been let out over the fields to pasture on the grasses, were wandering about everywhere; until a grave sedition began to grow between the pilgrims and the Bulgars, the latter driving off their flock and mingling with arms. At last, while the strength of the Bulgars was swelling to 140,000 and some of the pilgrim army, separated from the multitude of the company, had fled into a certain oratory, the Bulgars, their numbers increasing and Walterus failing and with his whole company taking flight, besieging the oratory, burned sixty of those enclosed; the rest, scarcely slipping from the enemies and from the oratory in defense of their lives, many were struck with severe wounds.

Post hanc calamitatem et attritionem [0393A] suorum. Walterus, relictis circumquaque sociis, fugitivus silvas Bulgarorum per octo dies exsuperans, ad civitatem ditissimam, quae vocatur Niczh in medio Bulgarorum regno secessit. Ubi duci et principi terrae reperto injuriam et damnum sibi illatum referens, justitiam de omnibus clementer ab eo consecutus est, quin et arma et pecuniam illi in reconciliatione largitus est, ac ei conductum dominus terrae per civitates Bulgariae Sternitz, Phinopolim atque Adrianopolim pacifice dedit, et emendi licentiam, quousque ad imperatoriam urbem Constantinopolim, quae est caput totius regni Graecorum, cum omni manu sua descendit.

After this calamity and the attrition [0393A] of his men, Walter, leaving his companions on every side, a fugitive, crossing the woods of the Bulgars for eight days, withdrew to a very wealthy city called Niczh in the midst of the Bulgar kingdom. There, reporting to the duke and prince of the land the injury and loss inflicted upon him, he obtained justice from him in all things mercifully; moreover he gave him arms and money in reconciliation, and the lord of the land peacefully granted him a conduct through the cities of Bulgaria — Sternitz, Phinopolim and Adrianopolim — and a licence to buy, until he should descend with all his company to the imperial city Constantinople, which is the head of the whole kingdom of the Greeks.

Ut autem descendit, omni instantia humillimae petitionis, qua potuit, ab ipso domino imperatore exoravit, [0393B] quatenus in regno suo pacifice moram obtineret, cum licentia emendi vitae necessaria, donec Petrus Eremita, cujus admonitione et instinctu viam hanc inchoaverant, socius haberetur; et sic conjunctis millibus suis, brachium maris S. Georgii navigio transmearent, et sic tutius Turcis, cunctisque gentilium cuneis resistere valerent. Quod et actum est, et a domino imperatore, Alexio nomine, benigne de omnibus petenti responsum et concessum est.

As he, however, disembarked, with every urgency of the most humble petition that he could, he entreated the lord emperor himself, [0393B] that he might hold a peaceful stay in his kingdom, with license to buy things necessary for life, until Petrus Eremita, by whose admonition and instigation they had begun this way, should be reckoned a companion; and thus, his thousands having been joined, they would cross the arm of the sea of St. George by ship, and so be able more safely to resist the Turks and all the gentile wedges. Which was also done, and a kindly answer and grant in all things was given to him who petitioned, by the lord emperor, named Alexius.

CAP. VIII. - Quomodo Petrus, cum copioso exercitu tendens Jerusalem, vindictam sociorum in Hungaria fecerit.

CHAPTER 8. - How Peter, with a copious army making for Jerusalem, exacted vengeance for his companions in Hungary.

Post haec, nec longi temporis intervallo, Petrus praedictus, et exercitus illius copiosus, ut [0393C] arena maris innumerabilis, quia diversis regnis illi conjunctus convenerat, scilicet Francigenae, Suevi, Bajoarii, Lotharingi, continuabat pariter viam Jerusalem. Qui in itinere suo in Hungariae descendens regnum, ante portam Cyperon tabernacula sua fixit cum omni exercitu, quem eduxerat. His locatis, protinus regnatori Hungariae nuntios direxit, quatenus sibi suisque consociis pateret aditus et transitus per medium regni ejus.

After these things, and not long after, the aforesaid Peter, and his copious army, as [0393C] innumerable as the sand of the sea, because he had gathered together men joined from diverse kingdoms, namely Franks, Swabians, Bavarians, Lotharingians, continued alike on the road to Jerusalem. Who, in his journey, descending into the kingdom of Hungary, pitched his tents with all the army which he had led before the gate of Cyperon. These having been placed, he straightway sent envoys to the ruler of Hungary, that access and passage through the middle of his kingdom might be granted to him and to his associates.

Quod illi concessum est, ea conditione interposita ne in terra regis praedam contingeret, sed pacifice viam teneret, omnia vero, quibus indigeret exercitus, sine jurgiis et lite pretio mutuarent. Petrus ergo, audita erga se suosque regis benevolentia, gavisus [0393D] est, et pacifice regnum Hungariae transivit, dans et accipiens omnia usui necessaria in numero, justitia et mensura, et sic sine turbine usque ad Malevillam cum omni legione sua profectus est. Ut autem appropinquavit terminis loci praedicti, fama in auribus suis suorumque allata est, quomodo comes regionis illius, nomine Guz, unus de primatibus regis Hungariae, avaritia corruptus, adunationem armatorum contraxisset militum, et pessimum consilium iniisset cum praedicto duce, Nichita nomine, principe Bulgarorum et praeside civitatis Belegrave quatenus et ipse collecta virtute satellitum, anteriores agminis Petri debellaret et occideret; ipse vero postremos insecutione suorum militum detruncaret, ut sic universa spolia tanti exercitus in equis, [0394A] auro et argento ac vestibus, diriperent et dividerent.

Which was granted to them, that condition being interposed that no plunder should befall in the king’s land, but that they should hold the road peaceably, and that all things which the army needed should be lent without quarrels and litigation for a price. Peter therefore, hearing of the king’s benevolence toward himself and his men, rejoiced [0393D], and peaceably passed through the kingdom of Hungary, giving and receiving all things necessary for use in number, justice, and measure, and thus without tumult set out with his whole legion as far as Malevilla. But when he approached the bounds of the aforesaid place, a report was brought into his and his men’s ears how the count of that region, named Guz, one of the chief men of the king of Hungary, corrupted by avarice, had gathered together an assembly of armed men, and had devised a most wicked counsel with the aforesaid leader, named Nichita, prince of the Bulgars and governor of the city Belegrave, so that he too, having collected the force of satellites, might overcome and kill the forward ranks of Peter; he himself, however, would hew down the rear in the pursuit of his soldiers, so that all the spoils of so great an army — on horses, [0394A] gold and silver and garments — might be plundered and divided.

Petrus haec audiens, quia Christiani erant Hungari et Bulgari, omnino de illis tantum facinus credere noluit, quousque ad Malevillam venientes, consocii illius arma et spolia sedecim sociorum Walteri, in moenibus et muris pendentia, aspexerunt, quos paulo ante retardatos Hungari in dolo spoliare praesumpserant. Petrus autem, hac confratrum injuria comperta, visisque illorum armis et spoliis, socios ad vindictam admonet. Qui fortiter signis cornicinum intonant, erectis signis ad moenia convolant, muros grandine sagittarum oppugnant, quos tam incessabili et incredibili densitate oculis in moenibus assistentium intorquebant, ut nequaquam virtutem Gallorum impugnantium Hungari sufferre valentes, a [0394B] muro declinarent, si forte intra civitatem ante vires illorum remanere valerent.

Peter hearing this, since the Hungarians and Bulgars were Christians, would not wholly credit so foul a deed of them, until, coming to Malevilla, his companions beheld the arms and spoils of sixteen of Walter’s men hanging on the walls and ramparts, whom the Hungarians a little before, by treachery, had presumed to plunder while they were delayed. Peter, however, this injury to his brethren having been discovered, and seeing those arms and spoils, exhorts his companions to vengeance. They bravely sound the trumpets’ signals, and with standards raised they rush to the walls, assaulting the ramparts with a hail of arrows, which they hurled with such unceasing and incredible density at the eyes of those standing on the walls, that the Franks attacking could by no means endure the Hungarians, and they drew off from the [0394B] wall, withdrawing into the city if perchance they could contrive to remain before their force.

Ad haec Godefridus quidam cognomen habens Burel, de Stampis civitate ortus, magister et signifer ducentorum peditum, qui et ipse pedes erat, fortis viribus, intuens fugam adversariorum procul a moenibus, muros scala, quam forte ibidem reperit, transvolat. Reinoldus de castro Breis, eques insignis, opertum habens caput galea, et lorica indutus, pariter moenia post Godefridum ascendit, donec universi tam equites quam pedites intrare contendunt. Hungari vero videntes animae suae angustias et imminens periculum, ad septem millia conglobantur ad defensionem, ac per aliam portam, quae respicit ad orientem, egressi super verticem praecelsae silicis quam praeterfluit [0394C] Danubius, et qua ex parte insuperabile erat munimentum, constiterunt.

To these things Godefridus, surnamed Burel, sprung from the city of Stamps, master and standard-bearer of two hundred footsoldiers, who himself was a footman, a man strong in force, perceiving the flight of the enemy far from the walls, flew over the walls with a ladder which by chance he found there. Reinoldus of Breis castle, a distinguished knight, his head covered with a helmet and clad in a lorica, likewise climbed the walls after Godefridus, until all, both horsemen and footsoldiers, strove to enter. The Hungarians, however, seeing the distress of their spirit and the imminent danger, massed together to the number of 7,000 for defense, and, issuing by another gate that looks to the east, took their stand upon the summit of the lofty rock past which the Danube flows, and on that side which was moreover an insuperable bulwark.

Quorum plurima pars, quae prae angusto aditu per portam velociter effugere nequiverant, ante ipsam januam in ore gladii ceciderunt. Alii, qui in vertice montis liberari sperabant, ab insequentibus peregrinis trucidati sunt, alii, a cacumine montis praecipitati, in ipsius Danubii undis absorpti sunt, sed plures navigio elapsi sunt. Ceciderunt illic circiter quatuor millia Hungarorum; peregrinorum centum tantum, praeter vulneratos, ibidem occisi sunt.

Most of them, who had not been able to flee quickly through the narrow pass by the gate, fell before that very doorway by the mouth of the sword. Others, who hoped to find refuge on the summit of the mount, were slaughtered by the pursuing foreigners; others, hurled from the peak of the mountain, were swallowed in the very waves of the Danube, but many escaped by ship. About 4,000 Hungarians fell there; only about 100 foreigners, aside from the wounded, were slain in that place.

Hanc Petrus adeptus victoriam, cum universis suis in eodem castello Malevillae diebus mansit quinque, propter abundantiam alimentorum quae ibi reperit in frumento, gregibus ovium et [0394D] armentis, et poculorum plenitudine et infinito numero equorum.

Peter, having obtained this victory, remained with all his men in the same castle of Malevilla for five days, because of the abundance of provisions which he found there in grain, flocks of sheep and herds, and a plenitude of cups and an infinite number of horses.

CAP. IX. - Quomodo Maroam fluvium cum difficultate transierit.

CHAPTER 9. - How he crossed the Maroam river with difficulty.

Comperta hac victoria et Hungarorum caede cruenta, et visis ferro caesis corporibus illorum, quae plurima exstincta atroci vulnere Danubius suis procellis advexerat Belegrave, ubi reflexo alveo iter et cursum continuat, a Malevilla distans milliari, dux praefatus Nichita, suos convocat, et, consilio ab omnibus accepto, metu concussus, Belegrave Petrum ultra exspectare recusat, sed Niczh, spe defensionis adversus vires Francigenarum, Romanorum et Teutonicorum, quia robore murorum civitas haec munita habebatur, migrare disposuit, secum asportatis universis [0395A] thesauris Belegrave; concives vero illius, per silvas et montana ac deserta loca cum armentis suis in fugam misit, quousque accersito auxilio imperatoris Constantinopolitani, sociis Petri resisteret, et vindictam Hungarorum sumeret propter amicitiam et foedus, quod cum Guz, comite et principe Malevillae, percussisset. Transactis abhinc sex diebus, nuntius quidam de villa advenarum Francorum Petro celeriter mittitur, qui hanc minarum certam legationem illi indicaret, dicens: «Rex Hungariae, collecto exercitu universi regni sui, in ultionem suorum ad vos descensurus est, de quibus ne unum quidem certum est ab armis illius evadere; nam dolor occisorum et lamenta regem et universos parentes et amicos illorum commoverunt. Quapropter [0395B] quantocius fluvium Maroam superantes, viam vestram hinc maturate.» Petrus, intelligens iram regis et illius gravissimam adunationem, cum universis sociis Malevillam deserens, sed cuncta spolia gregesque ac praedam equorum abducens, Maroam transire disposuit.

Having learned of this victory and the bloody slaughter of the Hungarians, and seeing their bodies cut down by the sword, many of which the Danube had carried on its waves to Belegrave, where, bending its channel, it resumes its course, a mile from Malevilla, the aforesaid leader Nichita summoned his men, and, after council was accepted by all, shaken by fear, refused to wait any longer for Belegrave Peter, but Niczh, hoping to defend against the forces of the Franks, Romans, and Teutonic peoples, since the city was said to be fortified by the strength of its walls, resolved to migrate, carrying off with him all the treasuries of Belegrave; and he sent the citizens of that place fleeing through woods, mountains, and desert places with their flocks, until, when aid from the emperor of Constantinople should be summoned, they might resist Peter’s allies and take vengeance on the Hungarians for the friendship and pact which they had struck with Guz, count and prince of Malevilla. After six days had passed, a certain messenger from the village of the foreign Franks was quickly sent to Peter to reveal this certain mission of threats to him, saying: “The king of Hungary, having assembled the army of his whole kingdom, is about to come down against you for the vengeance of his men, of whom not one is likely to escape his arms; for the pain of the slain and the lamentations have moved the king and all the parents and friends of those dead. Wherefore, as soon as you cross the river Maroam, make haste on your way hence.” Peter, understanding the king’s wrath and that grievous muster, abandoning Malevilla with all his allies, but taking away all the spoils, flocks, and captured horses, resolved to cross the Maroam.

Sed paucas naves, numero tantum centum quinquaginta in toto littore invenit, quibus tanta multitudo subito posset transire et evadere, propter timorem regis in fortitudine gravi supervenientis. Unde quamplurimi, quibus naves defecerant, junctura lignorum et copulatione viminum transire certabant. Sed a Pincenariis, qui Bulgariam inhabitabant, plurimi in ipsa lignorum et viminum copulatione fluctuantes sine gubernaculo, et a societate interdum divisi, sagittis confixi interierunt.

But he found few ships, only one hundred and fifty in number along the whole shore, by which so great a multitude could suddenly cross and escape, because of the fear of the king arriving with grave force. Wherefore very many, for whom ships were lacking, strove to cross by the juncture of timbers and the copulation of osiers. But at the hands of the Pincenarii, who inhabited Bulgaria, very many, floating in that very juncture and copulation of timbers and osiers without a helm, and at times separated from the company, perished pierced by arrows.

[0395C] Videns autem Petrus interitum et submersionem suorum quae fiebat, Bajoariis, Alemannis caeterisque Teutonicis ex promissione obedientiae imperavit, ut Francigenis fratribus subvenirent. Qui illico septem ratibus invecti, septem naviculas Pincenariorum submerserunt cum inhabitantibus, septem tantum vivos captivantes, quos in praesentiam Petri adductos ex praecepto illius trucidaverunt. Hac ultione suorum facta, et Maroa fluvio transito, ingentia et spatiosissima nemora Bulgarorum Petrus ingreditur cum vehiculis cibariorum et omni apparatu, et spoliis Belegrave.

[0395C] But Peter, seeing the death and drowning of his men as it was happening, commanded the Bavarians, Alemanni and the other Teutonic peoples, by a promise of obedience, to succor the Frankish brethren. They immediately, having launched on seven rafts, sank seven little boats of the Pincenarii with their inhabitants, taking only seven alive as captives, whom, brought into Peter’s presence, they massacred at his command. This vengeance for his men accomplished, and the Maroa River passed, Peter entered the vast and very spacious woods of the Bulgarians with supply-wagons and every apparatus, and with the spoils of Belegrave.

Et septem diebus in saltu spatiosissimo expletis, ipse cum suis urbem Niczh muris munitissimam applicuit ubi flumen quoddam [0395D] per lapideum pontem ante civitatem transeuntes, pratum, viriditate et amplitudine voluptuosum, et ripam fluminis fixis tentoriis occupaverunt.

And after seven days spent in a very spacious wood, he himself with his men drew up to the city Niczh, very strongly fortified with walls, where a certain river [0395D], crossing by a stone bridge before the city, and they occupied a meadow, delightful in greenness and breadth, and the river’s bank with fixed tents.

CAP. X. - Quomodo duci Bulgarum obsides dantur: quibus receptis, gravis contentio cum Bulgaris oritur.

CHAPTER 10. - How hostages of the Bulgars are given to be led: when, after they were received, a grave contention with the Bulgars arose.

Hospitatis itaque peregrinis legionibus, ex providentia Petri et majorum consilio fit legatio ad ducem Nichitam, principem Bulgarorum, qui in eadem civitate praesens habebatur, quatenus licentiam emendi cibos acciperent. Quod benigne annuit, sub hac tamen conditione ut obsides ei darentur, ne aliqua injuria aut vis, sicut Belegrave, a tanta multitudine fieret Walterus filius Waleramni de Bretoil castello, quod est juxta Belvatium, et Godefridus [0396A] Burel de Stampis, duci obsides constituti et dati sunt. His missis et a duce receptis, omnium rerum sufficientia ad emendum undique illis concessa est, et non habentibus unde emerent, plurima largitio eleemosynarum a civitate largita est.

Therefore, hospitality to the foreign legions being furnished, by the providence of Peter and the counsel of the elders a delegation was sent to the duke Nichita, prince of the Bulgars, who was present in the same city, that they might obtain permission to buy food. He kindly assented to this, yet on this condition that hostages be given to him, lest any injury or violence, such as Belegrave, be committed by so great a multitude — Walter, son of Waleramn, of the castle Bretoil, which is near Belvatium, and Godefridus [0396A] Burel of Stampis were appointed and delivered as hostages to the duke. These having been sent and received by the duke, sufficiency of all things for buying was granted to them from every quarter, and for those who had no means to buy, the city bestowed very many charitable largesses.

Hac igitur nocte cum omni tranquillitate peracta, et obsidibus Petro a principe fideliter restitutis, centum viri Alemannorum propter contentionem vilissimam, cum quodam Bulgaro vespere habitam in venditione et emptione, paulisper subtracti a tergo agminis Petri, septem molendinis, quae sub praedicto ponte in flumine degebant, ignem submiserunt, et in favillam redegerunt, quin et domos quasdam, quae extra urbem erant, simili incendio in ultionem furoris sui succenderunt. Cives autem videntes aedificia [0396B] suorum igne conflagrare, unanimi conventu suum ducem Nichitam adeunt, Petrum et universos sequaces illius falsos Christianos asserentes, raptores tantum esse et non homines pacificos, qui Pincenarios ducis Belegrave, et Malevillae tot Hungaros occiderint; et nunc incendium hoc praesumpserint, nequaquam pro benefacto remunerationem restituentes.

Therefore, when this night had passed in complete tranquillity, and the hostages had been faithfully restored to Peter by the prince, one hundred men of the Alemanni, on account of a most sordid quarrel, after spending the evening in buying and selling with a certain Bulgar, having withdrawn for a little from the rear of Peter’s column, set fire beneath seven mills which lay under the aforesaid bridge in the river, and reduced them to cinders; furthermore they kindled certain houses outside the city with a like fire in vengeance for their fury. The citizens, however, seeing the buildings of their own [0396B] burning with fire, with unanimous assembly went to their duke Nichita, declaring that Peter and all his followers were false Christians, mere plunderers and not peaceful men, who had killed the Pincarii of Duke Belegrave and so many Hungarians of Malevilla; and that now they had presumed this burning, returning in no way recompense for the good done.

CAP. XI. - Quomodo dux exercitum insecutus plurima diripuerit.

CHAPTER 11. - How the duke, having pursued the army, plundered very many things.

Dux, audita hac injuria et querimonia suorum, praecepit ut universi ad arma contenderent cum omni equitatu quem illic adunaverat, cognita invasione Malevillae, et absque mora ut peregrinos insequerentur, in caput eorum reddentes universa mala [0396C] quae sibi illata sint. Ad hoc denique ducis imperium Bulgari, Comanitae, Hungari plurimi cum Pincenariis, qui conventione solidorum ad urbis defensionem convenerant, arcus corneos et osseos arripiunt, loricas induunt; et, vexillis hastae innexis, Petrum cum exercitu suo secure gradientem insequuntur, ac tardos et extremos exercitus detruncare et transfigere non parcentes, currus et plaustra lente gressu subsequentia retinuerunt, matronas, puellas, pueros teneros abducentes, qui exsules et captivi in terra Bulgariae usque in praesentem diem cum universis rebus et armentis inventi sunt. Protinus in hac repentina peregrinorum disturbatione et occisione, quidam, Lambertus nomine, velocitate [0396D] equi elapsus, ad Petrum pervenit: cui rem hanc ignoranti et omnia quae acciderant retulit, et quomodo haec initia malorum et dolorum ab Alemannis exstiterint propter incendium quod fecerant. Petrus vero milliari remotus haec omnia ignorabat; qui, ad haec verba nuntii graviter turbatus, convocat sapientiores et magis sensatos de exercitu, quibus sic loquitur, dicens:

The duke, hearing this injury and the complaints of his men, ordered that all should hasten to arms with all the cavalry which he there had gathered, having learned of the invasion of Malevilla, and without delay to pursue the foreigners, returning all evils to their head which had been inflicted upon them. By the duke’s command also the Bulgars, Comanitae, very many Hungarians with the Pincenarii, who had come together by agreement of solidi for the city’s defence, seized horn and bone bows, put on loricas; and, with standards bound to spears, they pursued Peter as he marched securely with his army, cutting down and transfixing the slow and the rear of the host without mercy, keeping back carts and wagons that followed with slow step, abducting matrons, maidens, and tender boys, who, exiles and captives in the land of Bulgaria to the present day, were found with all their belongings and their herds. Straightaway in this sudden disturbance and slaughter of the foreigners one named Lambert, having escaped by the speed of his horse, reached Peter; to whom he reported this thing ignorant and told all that had happened, and how these beginnings of evils and pains had arisen from the Alemanni on account of the fire which they had made. Peter, however, being a mile removed, knew nothing of all this; who, greatly disturbed at these words of the messenger, summoned the wiser and more prudent men of the army, to whom he thus spoke, saying:

CAP. XII. - Quomodo, Petro cum exercitu causa pacis obviam duci regresso, plurima juventus prostrata sit.

CHAPTER 12. - How, when Peter returned with the army to meet for the sake of peace, very many youths were laid low.

«Grave et durum nobis infortunium, ex furore insipientium Teutonicorum ortum, imminet. Nostri quam plurimi cum ipsis Alemannis, a duce Nichila et suo satellitio, in arcu et gladio ceciderunt in ultione [0397A] incendii quod me prorsus latebat; nostra autem plaustra omnia, cum opibus et armentis retenta sunt Nihil aliud super his video utilius quam ut obviam duci redeamus, pacem cum illo componamus, quia injuste nostri cum eo egerunt, cum omnia nobis necessaria pacifice cives sui subministraverint.» Ad hanc vocem et sententiam Petri repetito itinere, exercitus reversus est ad ipsam civitatem Niczh, et in prato praefato tentoria sua relocaverunt, ut excusaret se Petrus et universam legionem quae praecesserat, ut sic, mitigato duce, captivos suos et plaustra recuperarent. In hac itaque intentione et consilio Petrus cum prudentioribus dum satageret, et verbis cautis excusationem suam ordinaret, mille insensatorum hominum juventus, nimiae levitatis et [0397B] durae cervicis, gens indomita et effrenis, sine causa, sine ratione, trans praedictum pontem lapideum ad moenia et portam civitatis in gravi assultu vadunt: quibus mille ejusdem levitatis juventus, trans vada et ipsum pontem concurrentes, ingenti vociferatione et furore in auxilium junguntur, Petrum, ductorem suum haec prohibentem et pacem fieri volentem, cum omnibus sensatis audire recusantes.

“A grave and harsh misfortune threatens us, sprung from the fury of the foolish Teutons. Very many of our men together with the Alemanni themselves fell by bow and sword, in vengeance for the burning which had altogether escaped me [0397A]; and all our wagons, with goods and herds, were retained. I see nothing more useful than that we return to meet him, compose peace with him, because our men acted unjustly toward him, since his citizens peacefully supplied to us all things necessary.” To this speech and judgment of Peter, the march being retraced, the army returned to the very city Niczh, and in the meadow aforesaid they re‑pitched their tents, so that Peter might excuse himself and the whole legion which had gone before, and thus, the leader having been softened, recover their captives and wagons. In this intention and plan, while Peter with the more prudent strove and with cautious words framed his excuse, a thousand heedless young men, of excessive levity and [0397B] hard neck, an untameable and unbridled people, without cause, without reason, crossed the said stone bridge and made a violent assault upon the walls and gate of the city: to whom a thousand of the same levity of youth, crossing the fords and the very bridge running together, joined in aid with loud shouting and fury, refusing to hear Peter their leader who forbade it and wished peace, together with all the sensible men.

In hac igitur dissensione gravissima discordiantium legionum, totus cum Petro, hanc seditionem prohibente, praeter haec duo millia, remansit exercitus, qui nullo modo ad opem his se contulerunt. Bulgari, videntes hoc schisma in populo et facile haec duo millia posse superari, e duabus eruperunt portis in sagittis, et lanceis et gravi vulnere; et sic in virtute magna oppressos [0397C] universos in fugam verterunt. Quorum viginti, a ponte corruentes, undis immersi ac suffocati sunt.

In this, then, most grave dissension of the discordant legions, the whole army remained with Peter, he forbidding this sedition, except for these two thousand; who in no way brought themselves to the aid of those men. The Bulgars, seeing this schism among the people and that these two thousand could easily be overcome, burst forth from two gates with arrows and lances and grievous wounds; and thus put all—overwhelmed in great force—into flight. Of whom twenty, falling from the bridge, were plunged in the waves and suffocated.

Alii vero in latere pontis trecenti ad vada incognita fugam inierunt, quorum alii armis, alii undis perierunt. Tandem qui in altera parte fluvii ab hac insania revocati cum Petro in viridario remanserant, videntes quia sui tam saevo martyrio consumebantur, non ultra se potuerunt continere ab auxilio, sed induti loricis et galeis, nolente volente Petro, ad ipsum pontem convolant. In quo crudeliter hinc et hinc bellum exoritur, in sagittis, gladiis et lancois.

Others, however, on the side of the bridge — three hundred — took flight into unknown shallows, some of whom perished by arms, others by the waves. At last those who on the other side of the river, recalled from this madness, had remained with Peter in the garden, seeing that their men were being consumed by so cruel a martyrdom, could no longer restrain themselves from aid, but, having donned loricas and helmets, whether Peter willed or not, rushed to the very bridge. In which a cruel battle arose on both sides, with arrows, swords, and lances.

Sed a Bulgaris vado et ponte praevento, sequaquam transire potuerunt, sed fortiter in fugam remissi sunt. Petrus visa hac suorum contritione et [0397D] fuga, legationem per quemdam Bulgarum, qui sanctam viam decreverat in Jerusalem, duci praefato misit quatenus colloquium secum paulisper habere dignaretur, et pacem in Domini nomine utrinque componerent. Quod et actum est.

But with the Bulgarians having occupied the ford and the bridge, they could scarcely cross, and were vigorously driven into flight. Peter, seeing this crushing and [0397D] flight of his men, sent an embassy by a certain Bulgarian, who had set out on the sacred way to Jerusalem, to the aforesaid duke, that he might deign to hold a brief colloquy with him, and that they might settle peace on both sides in the name of the Lord. Which was done.

CAP. XIII. - Qualiter exercitus ex magna parte dispersus sit, et iterum ad triginta millia adunatus.

CHAPTER 13. - How the army was for the most part dispersed, and again assembled to 30,000.

Pace hac divulgata in populo Petri, et turbine sedato, quousque omnia redirent in concordiam, pedestre vulgus rebelle et incorrigibile, currus et plaustra reparans et onerans, viam instabant. Quibus Petrus, Folckerus, Reinoldus interdicentes, donec viderent, si colloquium procederet in concordiam, nequaquam insensatos et rebelles ab incoepto avertere poterant. Cives autem, videntes quia Petrus [0398A] et majores exercitus obstaculo viae euntibus erant et plaustris ac curribus obstabant, arbitrati sunt quod cum vulgo fugam aptassent.

With this peace made public among the people of Peter, and the tumult calmed, until all things should return to concord, the rebel and incorrigible pedestrian rabble, repairing and loading carts and wagons, pressed along the way. To whom Peter, Folcker, Reinoldus forbidding, until they should see whether the conference would proceed to concord, could by no means turn the senseless and rebellious from what had been begun. The citizens, however, seeing that Peter [0398A] and the chiefs of the army were an obstacle to those going on the road and blocked them with wagons and carts, judged that, since they had fitted out flight with the common folk, ...

Quapropter a porta urbis exsilientes cum militibus ducis, insecuti sunt eos in manu forti; et ad duo milliaria gravis occisio et captivatio facta est ab his retardati exercitus. Plaustrum, super quod erat scrinium Petri plenum innumerabilis auri et argenti, captum et retentum est, et ad Niczh una cum captivatis reductum, et in aerario ducis repositum; caetera spolia militibus divisa sunt, viri sine numero caesi sunt, pueri cum matribus abducti, mulieres nuptae et innuptae, quarum ignoratur numerus. Petrus vero et omnis manus illius, quae evadere potuit, per opacum et spatiosum nemus, pars per abrupta montium, pars per [0398B] deserta noca dispersi, ut oves a lupis fugam maturabant.

Wherefore, leaping forth from the city gate with the duke’s soldiers, they were pursued by them with a strong hand; and for two miles heavy slaughter and captivity were inflicted upon the army delayed by them. The wagon upon which was Peter’s chest, full of innumerable gold and silver, was seized and retained, and was brought back to Niczh together with the captives, and deposited in the duke’s treasury; the remaining spoils were divided among the soldiers, men without number were slain, boys were carried off with their mothers, married and unmarried women, whose number is unknown. Peter himself and all his band that could escape were scattered through a shady and spacious grove, some by the abrupt heights of the mountains, some through the [0398B] deserted wastes, as sheep hasten flight from wolves.

Tandem Petrus, Reinoldus de Breis, Walterus filius Waleramni de Bretoil, Godefridus Burel, Folckerus Aureliensis, omnes hi cum quingentis solummodo post hanc fugam in vertice cujusdam montis casu convenerunt. Nec enim de quadraginta millibus plures remansisse visi sunt. Tunc vero Petrus considerans quia gens et exercitus ejus graviter imminutus est, anxie in diversa meditatur, et vehementi suspirio dolet dissipatas legiones, et tot millia suorum cecidisse, Bulgarorum autem unum solummodo periisse, miratus, si adhuc quispiam de quadraginta millibus profugis ac dispersis viveret.

At last Petrus, Reinoldus of Breis, Walterus son of Waleramn of Bretoil, Godefridus Burel, Folckerus of Aurelian, — all these with only 500 moreover after this flight by chance assembled on the summit of a certain mountain. For indeed they seemed not to have remained more than out of 40,000. Then Petrus, considering that his people and army were grievously diminished, anxiously pondered diversely, and with vehement sighing grieved that the legions had been scattered and so many thousands of his men had fallen, and wondered that of the Bulgars only 1 had perished, if anyone at all of the 40,000 fugitives and dispersed yet lived.

Unde ex ipsius sententia et visione, hi qui secum in montis cacumine constiterant fugientes, signis et [0398C] cornibus perstrepunt, ut peregrini, quacunque dispersi essent per montes et silvas ac loca deserta, audito signo Petri suorumque, in unum revertentes coadunarentur, et iter quod coeperant iterarent. Nec primum dies inclinata fuit, quod audito signo ad septem millia collecta sunt. Sic adunati, et a dispersione reversi, viae iterato insistunt, et ad civitatem quamdam, rebus vacuam et civibus, applicuerunt; ubi castra figentes, socios profugos ac dispersos praestolati sunt.

Whence, by his counsel and vision, those who had stood with him on the mountain’s summit, fleeing, made a clamor with signals and [0398C] horns, so that wherever they had been scattered through mountains and woods and desert places, on hearing the signal of Peter and his men they, returning to one another, were gathered together and repeated the route they had begun. Nor did even the first day fail them, for on the signal being heard some seven thousand were collected. Thus assembled, and returned from dispersion, they pressed on again along the road, and came to a certain city, empty of goods and citizens; where, pitching camp, they awaited their comrades, fugitives and dispersed.

Sed minime alimenta in locis desertis reperire aut investigare potuerunt, nimiam ibi tolerantes penuriam, quia plaustra et currus, frumentum, hordeum, carnesque ferentes ad edendum, supra duo millia amiserant, neminem videntem aut aliquid offerentem invenientes. In mense [0398D] itaque Julio haec adversa illis contigerant, quando hac in regione frumenta et segetes maturae jam ad messem flavescunt. Angustiato itaque fame populo, visum est viris consilio cautissimis, ut segetes maturas repertas in campestribus desertae et vacuae civitatis igne torrerent, et torrida grana excuterent, quibus populus jejunus sustentari posset.

But they could hardly find or discover provisions in the deserted places, enduring there an excessive want, for they had lost more than two thousand wagons and carts that bore grain, barley, and meats for eating, and found no one to be seen or anything to offer. In the month [0398D] of July, therefore, these misfortunes had befallen them, when in that region the grains and crops already turn yellow for the harvest. The people, straitened by famine, it seemed to the men of most cautious counsel that the ripe crops found in the fields of the deserted and empty city should be dried by fire, and the parched grain threshed out, by which the fasting populace could be sustained.

Hoc etenim sustentaculo annonae tribus diebus vixit populus, quousque profugi et dispersi ad triginta millia readunati sunt, praeter decem millia quae perierant.

With this very sustentation of the annona the people scarcely lived for three days, until the fugitives and the dispersed were re-gathered to thirty thousand, besides ten thousand who had perished.

CAP. XIV. - Quomodo imperator Petro legatos direxerit, ut veniret Constantinopolim.

CHAPTER 14. - How the emperor directed legates to Peter, that he should come to Constantinople.

Interea nuntii ducis ad dominum imperatorem Constantinopolim praecesserunt, qui sibi universa in [0399A] malo de actibus et infortunio retulerunt, nempe qualiter exercitus Hungaros Malevillae occiderit, et quomodo ad civitatem Niczh veniens, pro benefactis mala civibus reddiderit, sed non tamen hoc impune praesumpserit. Imperator haec audiens, Petro legatos dirigit; qui Petrum, vacua et deserta civitate relicta, in urbem Sternitz cum omni comitatu suo profectum repererunt, ex edicto imperatori haec illi nuntia ferentes: «Petre, domino imperatori graves de te tuisque querimoniae allatae sunt, eo quod in regno ipsius praedam et seditionem tuus fecerit exercitus. Quapropter ex imperio ipsius interdicitur tibi ne ultra tres dies moram facias in aliqua regni sui civitate, donec urbem Constantinopolim ingrediaris.

Meanwhile the duke’s messengers preceded to the lord emperor at Constantinople, who reported to him everything about the calamity, the acts and the misfortune [0399A], namely how his army had slain the Hungarians at Malevilla, and how, coming to the city Niczh, he repaid evils to the citizens for benefits, yet did not presume to do this with impunity. The emperor, hearing these things, dispatched envoys to Peter; who found Peter, the city having been left empty and deserted, departed into the city Sternitz with his whole retinue, bringing these words to the emperor by edict: "Peter, grave complaints have been brought to the lord emperor about you and yours, because in his kingdom your army has made plunder and sedition. Wherefore by his command you are forbidden to delay more than three days in any city of his realm, until you enter the city of Constantinople."

Civitatibus autem omnibus, per quas transiturus [0399B] es, ex imperatoria jussione praecipimus ut pacifice tibi omnia tuisque vendant, et quia Christianus es, Christianique tui consocii, non ultra iter tuum impediant. Et quidquid in superbia et furore satellites tui adversus ducem Nichitam deliquerunt, prorsus tibi remittit; scit enim quod pro hac injuria graviter poenas exsolvistis.» Petrus, hac audita domini imperatoris legatione pacifica, non modicum gavisus et prae gaudio lacrymatus, gratias Deo retulit, qui, post nimiam et severam correptionem, nec immeritam, sibi suisque dedit gratiam in conspectu tam magnifici et nominatissimi imperatoris.

To all the cities through which you are to pass we command by imperial order that they sell everything to you and to yours peaceably, and because you are a Christian, and your associates are Christian, that they do not further impede your journey. And whatever in pride and fury your satellites have committed against Duke Nichita, he entirely remits to you; for he knows that for this injury you have already paid heavy punishments. » Peter, these things heard from the lord emperor’s legation of peace, not a little rejoiced and wept for very great joy, returned thanks to God, who, after an excessive and severe rebuke, not undeserved, gave grace to him and to his companions in the sight of so magnificent and renowned an emperor.

CAP. XV. - Quomodo Petrus secundam imperatoris legationem acceperit, ut Constantinopolim maturaret iter.

CHAPTER 15. - How Peter received the emperor’s second legation, that he should hasten his journey to Constantinople.

[0399C] Igitur mandatis illius obediens, a Sternitz civitate processit, et ad urbem Phinopolim cum omni populo suo secessit. Ubi universo casu et infortunio suo recitato in audientia omnium Graecorum civium, plurima Byzantiorum, argenti, equorum et mulorum munera suscepit pro nomine Jesu et timore Dei, omnibus super eum misericordia motis. Deinde post tertiam lucem hilaris et laetus in largitate rerum necessariarium migrans, Adrianopolim secessit.

[0399C] Therefore, obeying his mandates, he set out from the city Sternitz, and withdrew with all his people to the city Phinopolis. Where, his whole case and misfortune having been recited in the hearing of all the Greek citizens, he received very many gifts from the Byzantines — silver, horses, and mules — for the name of Jesus and the fear of God, all moved to mercy toward him. Then, after the third light, cheerful and glad, having acquired the necessary by the largesse of things, he withdrew to Adrianople.

Ubi duobus solummodo diebus hospitio remoratus extra muros urbis, tertia luce exorta inde recessit. Nam secunda legatio imperatoris sollicitabat eum, ut Constantinopolim maturaret iter, quia fervebat imperator desiderio videndi eumdem Petrum, propter famam quam de illo audierat. Ut autem ventum est Constantinopolim, [0399D] exercitus Petri jussus est procul a civitate hospitari, quibus emendi licentia pleniter concessa est.

When, having remained in lodging outside the city's walls for only two days, at the third light he departed thence. For the emperor's second legation was urging him to hasten his journey to Constantinople, because the emperor burned with desire to see that same Peter, on account of the fame he had heard about him. But when they came to Constantinople, [0399D] Peter's army was ordered to be housed far from the city, to whom leave to purchase was fully granted.

CAP. XVI. - Quomodo Petrus et exercitus ab imperatore benigne susceptus sit, et deinde mare transierit.

CHAPTER 16. - How Peter and the army were kindly received by the emperor, and then crossed the sea.

Petrus vero statura pusillus, sed sermone et corde magnus, in praesentiam imperatoris cum solo Folkero introducitur a legatis ipsius imperatoris, uti videret si esset sicut de illo fama erat. Petrus vero introiens ad imperatorem confidenter, in nomine Domini Jesu Christi, salutavit, et quia in ipsius Christi amore et gratia ad visitandum sanctum ejus sepulcrum ex patria sua secesserit, recitat per singula, et adversitates quas jam in brevi pertulerit commemorat, viros potentissimos, comites et duces [0400A] nobilissimos, se post modicum subsecuturos denuntiat, qui causa visendi Dominicum sepulcrum, ardentissimo desiderio pariter viam insistere Jerusalem decreverint. Imperator autem, viso Petro et animi illius intentione ex ipsius verbis cognita, quid velit aut quid de suo cupiat requirit.

Petrus, however, diminutive in stature but great in speech and heart, is brought into the presence of the emperor by the emperor’s own legates with only Folkero, that they might see whether he was as the fame concerning him reported. Peter, entering before the emperor, confidently greeted him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and, because in the love and grace of that Christ he had withdrawn from his native land to visit his holy sepulchre, he recites in detail and mentions the adversities which he has so far borne briefly, names very powerful men, most noble companions and dukes [0400A], and announces that after a little they will follow him, who for the sake of seeing the Lord’s sepulchre, by an equally ardent desire, have decided to set out on the road to Jerusalem. The emperor, however, having seen Peter and, from his words, understood the intention of his mind, asks what he wishes or what he desires of him.

Qui ut misericorditer accipiat precatur, unde sustentationem vitae cum suis habeat, asserens quanta et quam innumerabilia bona ex imprudentia et rebellione suorum amiserit. Imperator, hac Petri humilitate audita, motus misericordia, ducentos byzantios aureos sibi dari jussit; de moneta vero quae dicitur tartaron, modium unum exercitui illius erogavit. Post haec Petrus, a colloquio et palatio imperatoris regressus et benigne ab eo commendatus, solummodo quinque [0400B] diebus requievit in campis et praedio ad Constantinopolim, ubi simul Walterus Senzavehor sua locavit tentoria, socius factus ab ipso die et deinceps, admistis copiis, armis et universis usui necessariis.

He prayed that he be received mercifully, and that he might have sustenance of life with his people, asserting how great and how innumerable goods he had lost through the imprudence and rebellion of his men. The emperor, moved by mercy when he heard this humility of Peter, ordered two hundred Byzantine gold coins to be given him; and from the coin called tartaron he allotted one modius to that army. After these things Peter, returned from the audience and palace of the emperor and kindly commended by him, rested for only five [0400B] days in the camps and an estate near Constantinople, where at the same time Walter Senzavehor pitched his tents, made a companion from that day forth and admitted to his forces, arms, and all necessary implements of use.

Deinde diebus quinque completis, tentoria sua ameventes, brachium maris S. Georgii navigio et auxilio imperatoris superant, et terminos Cappadociae intrantes, per montana ingressi sunt Nicomediam, ibidem pernoctantes. Et post haec ad portum qui vocatur Civitot castrametati sunt. Illuc assidue mercatores admovebant naves onustas cibariis vini, frumenti, olei et hordei, caseorumque abundantia, vendentes omnia peregrinis in aequitate et mensura.

Then, five days having been completed, taking down their tents, they crossed the arm of the sea of St. George by ship and by the aid of the emperor, and, entering the bounds of Cappadocia, traversed the mountains and came into Nicomedia, spending the night there. And after these things they camped at the port called Civitot. Thither merchants continually brought ships laden with provisions — wine, grain, oil and barley, and an abundance of cheeses — selling everything to foreigners with equity and measured weight.

In hac itaque necessariorum plenitudine gaudentibus et corpora fessa curantibus, adsunt nuntii Christianissimi [0400C] imperatoris, qui Petro exercituique ejus interdixerunt iter versus montana Nicaeae urbis, propter insidias et incursus Turcorum, donec amplior numerus adfuturorum Christianorum illis accresceret. Petrus vero audiens, legationi et consilio imperatoris acquievit, ut et universus populus Christianorum. Et curriculo duorum mensium illic in pace et laetitia epulati, moram fecerunt, secure ab omni hostili impetu dormientes.

While they thus rejoiced in a plenitude of necessities and tended their weary bodies, messengers of the Most Christian Emperor [0400C] came and forbade Peter and his army the journey toward the mountains of the city of Nicaea, on account of the ambuscades and incursions of the Turks, until a larger number of Christians who were to be present should be added to them. Peter, hearing this, acquiesced to the emperor’s legation and counsel, as did the whole people of Christians. And having spent the course of two months there, feasting in peace and gladness, they made a stay, sleeping secure from every hostile onslaught.

CAP. XVII. - Quomodo in terra urbis Nicaeae juventus praedam fecerit, et castellum quoddam Solymani ceperit.

CHAPTER 17. - How in the territory of the city of Nicaea the youth made plunder, and took a certain castle of Solyman.

Post duos itaque menses, lascivi et effrenes facti prae otio et inaestimabili copia ciborum, vocem Petri [0400D] non audientes, sed contra voluntatem illius, in terram Nicaeae urbis et regni Solymani, ducis Turcorum, per montana ingressi sunt, depraedati armenta, boves, oves, hircos, greges Graecorum Turcis famulantium, et ad socios deferentes. Petrus haec intuens, tristi animo accepit, sciens quia non impune ferrent. Unde saepius admonuit ne ulterius praedam hanc juxta consilium imperatoris contingerent; sed frustra insipienti et rebelli populo locutus est.

After two months, therefore, having become wanton and unbridled through leisure and an inestimable abundance of food, not heeding the voice of Peter [0400D], but against his will, they entered the land of the city of Nicaea and of the realm of Solyman, leader of the Turks, through the mountains, plundering herds—oxen, sheep, goats, flocks of Greeks serving the Turks—and carrying them off to their comrades. Peter, seeing these things, received them with a sad mind, knowing that they would not pass unpunished. Wherefore he often admonished them that they should not continue this plunder, according to the emperor’s counsel; but in vain did he speak to a foolish and rebellious people.

His itaque prospere succedentibus et nullam adhuc praedarum excussionem metuentibus, visum est animosis et ventosis juvenibus, quatenus, assumpta manu de exercitu, praedam in pratis et pascuis ante mures civitatis Nicaeae in conspectu Turcorum raperent et abducerent. Quapropter ad septem millia peditum [0401A] conglobati, cum equitibus tantum trecentis loricatis, in vexillorum suorum elevatione et tumultu nimio profecti, septingentos boves cum caeteris pecoribus a pratis Nicaeae urbis abduxerunt; et ad tabernacula Petri remeantes, plenum et pingue fecerunt convivium; plurimum vero gregis vendiderunt Graecis et nautis imperatori subditis. Videntes autem Teutonici quia Romanis Francigenis res prospere successit, et quod sine impedimento toties cum praeda sua reversi sunt, accensi et ipsi rapinarum avaritia, ad tria millia in unum conferuntur peditum, equites ducenti tantum, et in signis ostreis et purpureis semitam per eadem montana ingressi, ad castellum quoddam Solymani, viri magnifici, ducis et principis Turcorum, pervenerunt, ubi montana terminantur [0401B] et silva, distans a Nicaea spatio trium milliarium.

These things therefore succeeding prosperously and yet fearing no plundering, it seemed good to the spirited and windy youths that, having taken a hand from the army, they should seize and carry off booty in the meadows and pastures before the walls of the city of Nicaea in sight of the Turks. Wherefore, having massed to the number of seven thousand footsoldiers [0401A], with only three hundred cuirassed horsemen, and setting aloft their standards and making great tumult, they led off seven hundred oxen with the other flocks from the meadows of the city of Nicaea; and returning to Peter’s tents, they made a full and fat banquet; and indeed they sold most of the flock to Greeks and sailors subject to the emperor. Now when the Teutonic men saw that matters had prospered for the Roman Franks, and that so often they had returned with their booty without hindrance, they too, enflamed by the greed of pillage, gathered together to three thousand footsoldiers, only two hundred horsemen, and advancing in their banners of purple and crimson they went the same pass through the mountains to a certain castle of Solyman, a magnificent man, duke and prince of the Turks, where the mountains and the forest come to an end [0401B], distant from Nicaea by the space of three miles.

Aggressi sunt autem omni virtute armorum et fremitu bellico praefatum castellum, quousque habitatores illius expugnatos percusserunt in ore gladii, Graecis Christianis solummodo parcentes; caeteri omnes in ipso praesidio inventi, aut caesi aut ejecti sunt. Expugnato itaque praesidio et habitatoribus ejus expulsis, in abundantia alimentorum illic reperta laetati sunt. Et victoria hac jucundati, consilium invicem dederunt, ut in praesidio hoc remanentes, terras Solymani et principatum ejus facile in virtute sua obtinerent, praedas et escas undique comportarent, et secure Solymanum debilitarent, quousque magnorum principum promissus exercitus propinquaret.

They assailed with all the virtue of arms and warlike roar the aforesaid castellum, until its inhabitants, having been taken, were smitten at the mouth of the sword, sparing only the Greek Christians; all the others found in that garrison were either slain or driven out. The garrison thus having been stormed and its inhabitants expelled, they rejoiced in the abundance of provisions there found. And with this victory as their joy, they gave counsel among themselves that, remaining in this stronghold, they might by their force easily hold the lands of Solyman and his principality, gather plunder and food from every quarter, and securely weaken Solyman until the promised army of great princes should draw near.

CAP. XVIII. - Quomodo Solymanus dux, congregatis Turcis, praedictum castrum expugnaverit, quosdam captivos duxerit, reliquos occiderit. [0401C]

CHAPTER 18. - How Solyman the duke, having gathered the Turks, assaulted the aforesaid fortress, led away certain captives, and killed the rest. [0401C]

Solymanus autem, dux et princeps exercitus Turcorum, adventu Christianorum audito, tum praeda et rapinis, suorum quindecim millia ab omni Romania et regno Corrozan contraxit, viros peritissimos belli in arcu corneo et osseo, et sagittarios agillimos. Quibus congregatis, post duos dies Teutonicorum victoriae, ad urbem Nicaeam revertitur de terra longinqua cum adunatione validissima: ubi amplior ira et dolor illi auctus est ex fama Alemannorum et invasione praesidii, quod amiserat, et strage ac ejectione virorum suorum. Deinde tertiae diei sole orto, Solymanus cum omni comitatu suo castrametatus, [0401D] a Nicaea, praesidio, quod Teutonici invaserant, applicuit.

Solymanus, however, commander and prince of the army of the Turks, having heard of the Christians’ arrival — then intent on plunder and pillage — gathered 15,000 of his men from all Romania and the kingdom of Corrozan, men most expert in war with horn and bone bows, and very nimble archers. These having been assembled, after two days from the Teutonic victory he returned to the city of Nicaea from a far land with a very mighty muster: where greater anger and sorrow were added to him from the report of the Germans and the invasion of the garrison which he had lost, and from the slaughter and expulsion of his men. Then, on the third day at sunrise, Solymanus, his whole retinue encamped, [0401D] drew up to Nicaea, to the garrison which the Teutons had attacked.

Quod signiferi illius in virtute sagittariorum fortiter assilientes, Teutonicos in moenibus atrociter resistentes sagittis crudeliter infigunt ac fatigant, quousque ad defensionem ultra stare non valentes, a muro et moenibus immoderato grandine sagittarum retrusi sunt, infra praesidium protectionem a jaculis nudi et angustiati quaerentes. Turci vero videntes quia Alemannos a muris et moenibus represserant, trans muros et moenia transcendere parant. Sed Alemanni, qui infra praesidium erant, vitae solliciti et studiosi, penetrare volentibus lanceas opponebant; alii gladiis et bipennibus in faciem illis resistebant, quousque non ultra conscendere ausi [0402A] sunt.

Which is to say, those of his, in the strength of the archers, assaulting vigorously, cruelly fixed and wearied the Teutons on the walls with arrows, the latter resisting fiercely, until, no longer able to stand in defence, they were driven back from the wall and ramparts by an immoderate hail of arrows, seeking naked and cramped the protection of the inner bulwark from javelins. The Turks, therefore, seeing that they had repelled the Alemanni from the walls and ramparts, prepared to cross over the walls and ramparts. But the Alemanni, who were within the bulwark, solicitous for life and intent on survival, opposed lances to those wishing to penetrate; others resisted them in the face with swords and battle-axes, until they dared to climb no further [0402A].

Turci igitur, hac sagittarum impugnatione et nimio grandine Alemannos absterrere non valentes, comportaverunt omnia lignorum genera ad ipsam januam praesidii. Quae igne submisso combusta est, et plurima aedificia, quae erant in arce, donec flamma et calore invalescente, alii exusti sunt, alii a muris salutem sperantes desiliunt. Sed Turci, qui foris erant, exeuntes et fugientes ense trucidabant; alios, vultu et corpore juvenili venustos, circiter ducentos abduxerunt captivos; caeteri omnes gladio et sagitta consumpti sunt.

The Turks therefore, not able to frighten the Alemanni off by this assault of arrows and by the excessive hail of shafts, gathered all kinds of timber to the very gate of the garrison. This, fire being applied beneath, was burned, and very many buildings that were on the citadel, until with the flame and heat gaining strength some were consumed, others leapt down from the walls hoping for safety. But the Turks who were outside were slaughtering those who came out and fled with the sword; others, fair of countenance and youthful in body, about two hundred they carried off captive; the rest were all put to death by sword and arrow.

CAP. XIX. - Quomodo exercitus per dies octo Petrum exspectaverit, et quomodo quosdam Turci de exercitu decollaverunt.

CHAPTER 19. - How the army waited for Peter for eight days, and how the Turks beheaded certain men from the army.

Ultione hac gravi Solymano cum suis et cum Alemannis [0402B] captivis, regresso, fama tam crudelissimae necis Teutonicorum perlata est in castris Petri. Unde animi et corda cunctorum, vehementi consternata sunt dolore super interitu confratrum suorum. Hoc ergo infortunio suorum moti, saepius consiliis inter se utuntur, utrum recenter in ultionem illorum insurgerent, an Petrum operirentur.

With this grievous vengeance, Suleiman having returned with his men and with the Germans [0402B] as captives, news of so most cruel a slaughter of the Teutons was brought into Peter’s camp. Whereupon the minds and hearts of all were violently struck with consternation and grief over the death of their confratres. Moved therefore by this misfortune of their comrades, they oftentimes held councils among themselves whether they should straightway rise up for the vengeance of those, or should assail Peter.

Ante hos enim dies Petrus Constantinopolim ad imperatorem migraverat, pro exercitu suo rogaturus, ut illis venditionem necessariorum alleviaret. Consilium autem inter se habentibus, Walterus Senzavehor omnino se in ultionem fratrum ire contradixit, donec eventus rei planus innotesceret, et praesentia Petri adesset, cujus consilio omnia acturi essent. Hoc consilio Walteri sedatus est populus octo diebus, [0402C] praestolans adventum Petri.

For before these days Peter had gone to Constantinople to the emperor, to petition on behalf of his army that he might ease for them the selling of necessities. While they were holding counsel among themselves, Walter Senzavehor wholly denied that he would take up vengeance for his brothers, until the outcome of the matter should be made plain and the presence of Peter be at hand, by whose counsel they would do all things. By this counsel the people were pacified by Walter for eight days, [0402C] awaiting the arrival of Peter.

Sed nequaquam adhuc potuit ab imperatore redeundi licentiam habere. Octavo dehinc die Turci, viri militares et arte belli illustres, surrexerunt ab urbe Nicaea, numero centum, regionem et urbes in montanis sitas perlustrantes, scire et intelligere volentes de praeda et rapinis quas Galli abduxerant. Ibi ipsa die plurimos peregrinos, hac et illac vagantes, diversis in locis, interdum decem, interdum quindecim, aut eo amplius, decollasse perhibentur.

But in no wise could they yet obtain leave to return from the emperor. On the eighth day thereafter the Turks, men military and illustrious in the art of war, rose from the city of Nicaea, numbering 100, scouring the region and the towns set in the mountains, desiring to learn and ascertain concerning the booty and plunder which the Gauls had carried off. There on that very day they are reported to have beheaded very many pilgrims, wandering here and there, in diverse places, sometimes ten, sometimes fifteen, or even more.

Hoc denique rumore in castris Petri rursus ventilato, scilicet Turcos adesse et suos circumvagos decollasse, omnino excusant credere tam longe eos a Nicaea descendisse. Sed tamen aliqui consilium dederunt ut eos persequerentur, [0402D] si adhuc in finibus illis reperiri possent.

Finally, with this rumor again stirred up in Peter’s camp — namely that the Turks were present and had beheaded their own wanderers — they utterly refuse to believe that they had descended so far from Nicaea. But yet some gave the counsel that they be pursued, [0402D] if they could still be found in those confines.

CAP. XX. - Quomodo exercitus, ad ultionem sociorum armatis, Solymanus cum multa manu occurrerit pugnaturus.

CHAPTER 20. - How the army, armed for the vengeance of the allies, Solymanus with a large force met, about to fight.

Interea veritate comperta, exoritur tumultus in populo et unanimiter pedites conveniunt Reinoldum de Breis, Walterum Senzavehor, Walterum quoque de Bretoil et Folckerum Aureliensem, qui erant principes exercitus Petri, quatenus ad vindictam fratrum consurgerent adversus Turcorum audaciam. Sed hi prorsus ituros se negant, donec Petri praesentiam et consilium haberent. Godefridus autem Burel, magister peditum, illorum responsis auditis timidos minime in bello valere tam egregios milites asserens, saepius sermone aspero improperabat [0403A] viris his qui Turcos persequi in ultionem fratrum caeteros socios prohiberent.

Meanwhile, when the truth was learned, an uproar arose among the people and the foot soldiers united unanimously with Reinold of Breis, Walter Senzavehor, Walter also of Bretoil, and Folcker Aureliensem, who were the leaders of Peter’s army, that they should rise up to avenge their brothers against the audacity of the Turks. But these men flatly refused to go so long as they did not have Peter’s presence and counsel. Godefridus Burel, however, master of the infantry, having heard their answers, asserting that cowards are by no means fit for war compared with such excellent soldiers, more often with harsh speech reproached those men who prevented the rest of the comrades from pursuing the Turks in vengeance of the brothers. [0403A]

Econtra primores legionis contumelias et improperia illius suorumque sequacium ultra ferre non valentes, ira et indignatione graviter moti, ituros se pollicentur adversus Turcorum vires et insidias, etiamsi mori contingat illos in praelio. Nec mora, surgente primo diluculo quartae diei, per universa castra jubentur armari universi equites et pedites, et signis cornicinum intonare, et bellum congregari. Soli inermes et infirmi cum femineo sexu innumerabiles in castris relicti sunt.

But unable any longer to bear the insults and reproaches of the leaders of the legion and of their followers, greatly moved by anger and indignation, they promise that they will march against the forces and ambushes of the Turks, even if it should happen that they die in the battle. And without delay, at the first dawn of the fourth day, throughout the whole camp all horse and foot are ordered to arm, and the horns to sound the standards, and the war to be assembled. Only the unarmed and the infirm, together with the female sex, innumerable, were left behind in the camps.

Armati vero, et universi congregati ad viginti quinque millia peditum et quingentos equites toricatos, viam insistunt ad urbem Nicaeam, ut ducem Solymanum et caeteros Turcos, bello lacessentes, [0403B] in ultionem confratrum cum eis pralium committerent. In sex acies itaque divisi et ordinati, et quibusque vexillis attitulati, in dextro et in sinistro incedebant. Vix tria milliaria a portu et statione Civitot processerant, absente et omnia ignorante Petro, per praedictam silvam et montana in vociferatione et tumultu vehementi gloriantes et intonantes, et ecce Solymanus cum omni comitatu suo intolerabili eamdem silvam ex fronte altera intraverat, a Nicaea urbe descendens, ut repentino tumultu Gallos in castris incurreret, et nescios ac improvisos in ore gladii universos consumeret atque deleret.

Armed, and all assembled to 25,000 foot-soldiers and 500 toricati horsemen, they pressed the road toward the city of Nicaea, so that Solymanus the leader and the other Turks, having been provoked to war, [0403B] they might join battle with them in vengeance for their brethren. Divided and arrayed, therefore, into six battle-lines and assigned to their respective standards, they marched on the right and on the left. Scarcely three miles had they advanced from the port and station of Civitot, Petrus being absent and knowing nothing, when, through the aforesaid wood and the mountains, exulting and shouting in vehement clamor, behold Solymanus with all his retinue had entered that same wood from the opposite front, descending from the city of Nicaea, so as by sudden tumult to fall upon the Franks in the camp, and to consume and destroy all, unknowing and unprepared, by the mouth of the sword.

Hic audito adventu et vehementi strepitu Christianorum, miratur nimium quidnam tumultus is voluerit; [0403C] nam latebant eum universa, quae Christiani decreverant. Statimque peregrinos adesse intelligens, suos sic alloquitur: «Ecce Franci ad quos tendimus adsunt. Certum autem sit vobis quia adversum nos pugnaturi veniunt.

He, on hearing the arrival and the violent clamor of the Christians, marvels greatly what that tumult could mean; [0403C] for all that the Christians had decreed was hidden from him. And immediately, perceiving that the pilgrims were present, he thus addresses his men: “Behold, the Franks to whom we are marching are here. Be certain, however, that they come to fight against us.”

Sed quantocius a silva et montanis recedamus in apertam camporum planitiem, ubi libere cum eis praelia conseramus, et nullum invenire possins refugium.» Quod ita ad vocem Solymani actum est, et in silentio magno a silvis et montanis egressi sunt.

But the sooner we withdraw from the wood and mountains into the open plain of the fields, where we may freely join battle with them, and they may find no refuge.» Which was thus done at Solyman’s command, and with great silence they issued forth from the woods and mountains.

CAP. XXI. - Quomodo Turci cum Christianis graviter conflixerint.

CHAPTER 21. - How the Turks grievously clashed with the Christians.

Francigenae autem, Solymani ignorantes adventum, a silvis et montanis in clamore et alta vociferatione procedebant, tunc primum Solymani acies [0403D] mediis campis intuentes et eos ad praelium operientes. Quibus visis, invicem se confortare in nomine Domini coeperunt, duasque acies praemittunt, quae quingentos equites habebant. Solymanus autem duas acies praemissas intuens, frena sine tardatione laxat equi, laxantque sui et inaudita atque intolerabili vociferatione reddunt attonitos et stupefactos milites catholicos.

But the Francigenae, Solyman not knowing of their arrival, advanced from the woods and mountains with clamour and loud shouting; then for the first time Solyman’s battle‑lines [0403D] seeing them arrayed for battle in the midst of the plains. When they were seen, they began to encourage one another in the name of the Lord, and sent forward two lines which had 500 horse. Solyman, seeing the two lines sent on, unclasped his reins without delay, and his men loose theirs and with a never‑heard and intolerable outcry put the Catholic soldiers to astonishment and stupefaction.

Dehinc sagittarum grandine per medias irruunt acies, quae, graviter attritae et dissipatae, a subsequente sua multitudine divisae sunt. Audita hac armorum concussione, et vociferantium Turcorum crudeli insecutione, postremi exercitus, qui nondum a silva processerant, in unum conglobantur in angusta semita, per quam venerant, ad resistendum et prohibendum [0404A] semitae angustiam et montana; praedictae vero acies, per quas Turci a societate divisas irruperant, ad silvam et montana reditum non habentes, versus Nicaeam iter arripiunt. De qua extemplo reversi, fortiter inclamantes per medios Turcos revolant, et sese tam equites quam pedites invicem commonentes, ducentos milites Turcorum in momento peremerunt.

Then a hail of arrows rushed through the midst of the ranks, which, severely worn and dispersed, were separated from their following multitude. Having heard this clash of arms and the cruel pursuit of the shouting Turks, the rearmost troops, who had not yet come out of the wood, gathered together into one on the narrow path by which they had come, to resist and to block the narrowness of the path and the mountains; whereas the aforesaid lines, through which the Turks had burst having been separated from the main body, having no return to the wood and the mountains, seized a route toward Nicaea. From which, immediately turning back, loudly shouting, they swept through the midst of the Turks, and, urging one another both horse and foot, in a moment put two hundred Turkish soldiers to death.

Turci autem videntes quia virtus equitum praevaluisset in concertatione suorum, equos eorum transmissis sagittis vulnerant, et sic in pedibus fortissimos athletas Christi reddunt.

But the Turks, seeing that the valour of the horsemen had prevailed in the engagement with their men, wounded their horses with loosed arrows, and thus made the very strongest athletes of Christ be on foot.

CAP. XXII. - Quomodo Turci infinitam multitudinem Christianorum peremerint.

CHAPTER 22. - How the Turks destroyed a countless multitude of Christians.

Ubi Walterus Senzavehor trans loricam et praecordia [0404B] septem sagittis infixus occubuit, Reinoldus de Breis et Folcherus Carnutensis, viri nominatissimi in terra sua, simili martyrio ab hostibus consumpti ceciderunt, sed non sine magna strage Turcorum. Walterus vero de Bretoil, filius Walramni, et Godefridus Burel, magister peditum, inter vepres et dumeta fuga elapsi, per angustam semitam, qua tota manus subtracta a praelio et in unum collecta habebatur, reversi sunt. Quorum fuga ac desolatione cognita, universi in fugam versi sunt, accelerantes iter versus Civitot, eadem via qua venerant, parum se defendentes ab hostibus, Turci itaque, gaudentes prospero successu victoriae, detruncabant miseram manum peregrinorum, quos spatio trium milliarium caedendo usque ad tentoria [0404C] Petri persecuti sunt.

When Walter Senzavehor, pierced through his cuirass and breast [0404B] by seven arrows, fell dead, Reinoldus of Breis and Folcherus of Chartres, men most renowned in their land, fell, consumed by the enemies with a like martyrdom, but not without great slaughter among the Turks. Walter of Bretoil, son of Walramn, and Godefridus Burel, master of the foot, having slipped away in flight through brambles and thickets, by a narrow path — by which the whole band, withdrawn from the battle and gathered into one, was held — returned. When their flight and the desolation became known, all put themselves to flight, hastening their journey toward Civitot, by the same way they had come, defending themselves little from the enemies; and so the Turks, rejoicing in the prosperous success of victory, cut down the wretched band of pilgrims, whom they pursued by slaughter for the space of three miles up to the tents of Peter [0404C].

Tentoria vero intrantes, quotquot repererunt languidos ac debiles, clericos, monachos, mulieres grandaevas, pueros sugentes, omnemque aetatem gladio exstinxerunt, solummodo puellas teneras et moniales, quarum facies et forma oculis eorum placere videbatur, juvenesque imberbes et vultu venustos abduxerunt; pecuniam, vestes, mulos, equos et omnia pretiosiora cum ipsis tentoriis Nicaeam asportarunt. Est autem supra littus maris, juxta praedictum Civitot, praesidium quoddam antiquum et desertum, ad quod, tria millia peregrinorum, fugam arripientes, ingressi sunt dirutum praesidium pro spe defensionis. Sed portas et obstacula nulla reperientes, clypeos pro porta, sic ut anxii et auxilio destituti, cum ingenti mole saxorum ostio [0404D] advolverunt, lanceis tantum et arcu ligneo et missilibus saxis viriliter pro vitae necessitate se defendentes ab hostibus.

Entering the tents, however, they slew with the sword all they found languid and weak: clerics, monks, aged women, suckling boys, and every age; only tender girls and nuns, whose faces and form seemed to please their eyes, and beardless youths of comely countenance they led away; they carried off money, garments, mules, horses, and all things more precious together with the tents to Nicaea. There is, moreover, above the seashore, near the aforesaid Civitot, a certain ancient and deserted garrison, into which three thousand pilgrims, seizing flight, entered the ruined stronghold in hope of defence. But finding no gates nor obstacles, using shields as gates, so anxious and bereft of aid, they rolled up to the entrance with a great mass of stones, defending themselves manfully from the enemies with lances only, a wooden bow, and missiles of stones, for the necessity of life.

Turci vero, videntes se parum proficere in caede inclusorum, undique cinxerunt praesidium, quod erat sine tecto, sagittas in altum intorquentes, ut ab aethere revertentes in verticem et in corpora inclusorum corruentes, misellos exstinguerent caeterique hoc viso in deditionem cogerentur. Plurimi sic laesi et exstincti illic fuisse referuntur, sed crudeliorem ab impiis poenam metuentes, non armis, non vi exire coacti sunt.

The Turks, however, seeing that they made little progress in the slaughter of those shut in, encircled the praesidium on all sides — which was without a roof — hurling arrows high into the air so that, returning from the aether and crashing on the roofs and into the bodies of the besieged, they might extinguish the wretched ones; and the rest, seeing this, were driven to surrender. Very many are reported to have been thus struck and put to death there, but, fearing a crueller punishment from the impious, they were compelled to go forth — not by arms, not by force.

CAP. XXIII. - Quomodo tria millia Christianorum qui evaserant, a Turcis obsessi, imperatoris auxilio liberabantur.

CHAPTER 23. - How three thousand Christians who had escaped, besieged by the Turks, were freed by the emperor's aid.

Jam sol mediam diem peregerat, quando haec tria [0405A] millia praesidium ingressa a Turcis obsessi sunt. Sed fortiter pro vitae necessitate se defendentes, nullo tamen ingenio, aut in ipsius noctis umbra ab hoc praesidio potuerunt divelli, donec nuntius quidam Graecus fidelis et catholicus, noctu navigio mare transiens, Petro in civitate regia reperto, omnia pericula eorum retulit, et caeterorum casum et consumptionem. Petrus agnito periculo suorum et infortunio consumptorum, lugens ac dolens, imperatorem humiliter deprecatur, quatenus misellis peregrinis paucis, tot millium reliquiis, in nomine Jesu Christi subveniat, et non a tantis carnificibus desolatos et anxiatos consumi patiatur.

Now the sun had passed mid-day, when these three thousand, having entered the garrison, were besieged by the Turks. But bravely defending themselves by necessity of life, yet by no stratagem, nor even in the very shadow of the night, could they be wrenched away from that garrison, until a certain Greek messenger, faithful and catholic, crossing the sea at night by ship, found Peter in the royal city and reported to him all their dangers and the plight and destruction of the others. Peter, the peril of his own men and the misfortune of the consumed having been learned, mourning and grieving, humbly beseeched the emperor that he come to the aid of the wretched few foreign pilgrims, the remnants of so many thousands, in the name of Jesus Christ, and not suffer them, desolated and anxious, to be consumed by so many executioners.

Imperator audito Petro de casu et obsidione suorum, motus est misericordia, et undique Turcopolis accitis, et [0405B] cunctis nationibus regni sui, praecepit sub omni festinatione trans brachium maris fugitivis et obsessis Christianis subvenire, et Turcos ab obsidione expugnatos effugare. Turci autem imperatoris edicto comperto, media nocte cum captivis Christianis et spoliis plurimis a praesidio se moverunt, et sic inclusi et obsessi peregrini milites ab impiis liberati sunt.

The emperor, having heard from Peter of the plight and siege of his men, was moved by misericordia, and with Turcopolis summoned from every quarter, and [0405B] all the nations of his regnum, he commanded with all haste that across the arm of the sea they should cross to succour the fugitives and besieged Christians, and put to flight the Turks who had invested them. But the Turks, the emperor’s edict having been learned, in the middle of the night broke camp from the garrison with many Christian captives and very great spoils, and thus the pilgrim soldiers, shut in and besieged, were delivered from the impious.

CAP. XXIV. - Quomodo quidam Godescalcus magnam manum in eamdem expeditionem contraxerit.

CHAPTER 24. - How a certain Godescalcus drew together a great force for the same expedition.

Non multo temporis intervallo post Petri transitum, quidam presbyter Godescalcus nomine, Teutonicus natione, incola fluminis Rheni, ejusdem viae in Jerusalem amore et desiderio succensus ex Petri [0405C] admonitione, plurimorum corda ex diversis nationibus ad instandum pariter viam suo excitavit sermone, et ex diversis regionibus Lotharingiae, orientalis Franciae, Bavariae, Alemanniae supra quindecim millia contraxit, tam militaris quam pedestris vulgi, qui pecunia ineffabili cum caeteris rebus necessariis collecta, iter suum pacifice usque in regnum Hungariae continuasse perhibentur. Ad portam vero Meseburg et ejus praesidium, gratia regis Calomani venientes, honorifice introducti sunt. Quibus etiam concessa est licentia emendi vitae necessaria; et pax utrinque indicta ex praecepto regis, ne qua seditio a tanto exercitu oriretur.

Not long after Peter’s passing, a certain presbyter named Godescalcus, a Teutonic by nation, an inhabitant of the river Rhine, kindled in the same love and desire for the way to Jerusalem by Peter’s admonition, stirred up the hearts of very many from diverse nations alike to undertake the road by his speech, and from sundry regions of Lotharingia, eastern France, Bavaria, and Alemannia he gathered more than fifteen thousand, both of mounted and foot populace; they are reported to have continued their journey peacefully as far as the kingdom of Hungary, having collected money beyond measure together with other necessary things. At the gate of Meseburg and its garrison, by the grace of King Caloman, they were honorably received. To them also was granted licence to buy the necessities of life; and peace was proclaimed on both sides by the king’s command, lest any seditio should arise from so great an exercitus.

Sed dum per aliquot dies moram illic facerent, et vagari coepissent, [0405D] Bavari vero et Suevi, gens animosa, et caeteri fatui modum potandi excederent, pacem indictam violant, Hungaris vinum, hordeum et caetera necessaria paulatim auferentes, ad ultimum oves et boves per agros rapientes occiderunt, resistentes quoque et excutere volentes peremerunt; caeteraque plurima flagitia, quae omnia referre nequimus, perpetrarunt sicut gens rusticano more insulsa, indisciplinata et indomita. Juvenem quemdam Hungarum, ut aiunt qui praesentes fuerunt, pro vilissima contentione paro per secreta naturae transfixerunt in fori platea. Cujus rei, et caeterarum injuriarum querimonia, usque ad aures regis suorumque principum perlata est.

But while they made delay there for several days, and had begun to wander, the Bavarians and the Swabians, a spirited nation, and the other drunken folk exceeding the measure in drinking, violated the proclaimed peace, gradually carrying off from the Hungarians wine, barley and other necessities, and finally seizing sheep and oxen across the fields they killed them, and also slew those resisting and seeking to escape; and very many other outrages, which we cannot relate in full, they perpetrated, like a people versed in rustic custom, undisciplined and indomitable. A certain youth of the Hungarians, as those who were present say, for the vilest quarrel was pierced through the secret parts of his body in the market‑place. The complaint of this deed, and of the other injuries, was carried to the ears of their king and princes.

CAP. XXV. - Qualiter omnis exercitus Godescalci insolenter agens in Hungaria peremptus sit. [0406A]

CHAPTER 25. - How the entire army of Godescalcus, acting insolently, was destroyed in Hungary. [0406A]

Rex, hac inquietatus infamia, totaque illius domo turbata, praecepit satellitibus suis se armare et signo totam Hungariam in ultionem hujus facinoris caeterarumque contumeliarum commoveri, et nulli peregrinorum parcere, eo quod foedam rem perpetrassent. Mox exercitus Godescalci tam crudele mandatum regis ad internecionem eorum intelligentes, signis intonuerunt per universas societates, et in campo Belegrave secus oratorium S. Martini conglobati sunt. Nec mora, regia virtus totius regni Hungariae in armis adfuit, ut populum conglobatum disturbaret.

The king, troubled by this infamy and his whole household thrown into disorder, ordered his satellites to arm themselves and by a signal to stir all Hungary into vengeance for this crime and the other affronts, and to spare none of the foreigners, because they had committed a foul deed. Soon Godescalc’s army, understanding the king’s so cruel mandate for their extermination, sounded the signals through all the companies and were massed on the field Belegrave beside the oratory of S. Martin. Nor was there delay: the royal might of the whole kingdom of Hungary was present in arms to harry the assembled people.

Sed fortiter resistentes, sicut anxios et vitae sollicitos, in gladiis et lanceis et sagittis Teutonicos [0406B] repererunt. Quapropter et ipsi minus eos aggredi ausi sunt. Ut ergo viderunt quia illis res erat pro anima, et non sine inaestimabili damno cum Gallis committere possent, blande eis in dolo locuti sunt in hunc modum: «Pervenit querimonia ad dominum nostrum regem de injuriis, quas regno suo intulistis.

But, resisting stoutly, as anxious and solicitous for their lives, they found the Teutonic men with swords, lances, and arrows [0406B]. Therefore they themselves were less bold to assault them. When, then, they saw that the matter for those men was a question of life, and that they could not engage with the Franks without incalculable loss, they spoke to them gently, in guile, in this manner: “A complaint has reached our lord the king about the injuries which you have inflicted on his kingdom.

Sed arbitratur vos non omnes hujus facinoris reos, eo quod plurimi inter vos sensati habeantur, et non minus vos molestaverit pax violata, quam ipsum regem et suos. Unde, si domino regi satisfacere vultis, et principes terrae placare, oportet et necesse est ut omnia arma vestra in manum domini regis reddatis, et ex consilio nostro pacificos vos exhibeatis, in ditionem vero regis cum omni pecunia, quam habetis, intrantes, iram ejus [0406C] mitigetis, et sic gratiam in oculis ejus inveniatis. Sin autem aliud egeritis, nec unus quidem vestrum ante faciem ejus suorumque vivere poterit, quia contumeliam et injuriam nimiam in regno ejus exercuistis.» Godescalcus igitur et caeteri viri sensati hoc audientes, et puram fidem ex his credentes verbis, et quia Hungari Christianae erant professionis, universo coetui consilium dederunt quatenus juxta hunc sermonem, ad satisfaciendum regi arma redderent, et sic omnia in pacem et concordiam redirent.

But he judges that not all of you are guilty of this crime, since many among you are held to be sensati, and the violated peace will have troubled you no less than the king and his own. Wherefore, if you wish to satisfy the lord king and appease the princes of the land, it is fitting and necessary that you render all your arms into the hand of the lord king, and by our counsel present yourselves peaceful; and indeed entering into the dominion of the king with all the money that you have, you should mitigate his anger, and thus find favour in his eyes. But if you do anything else, not one of you will be able to live before him and his people, because you have exercised excessive contumely and injury in his kingdom.» Godescalc therefore and the other sensati, hearing this and believing these words as plain faith, and because the Hungarians were of Christian profession, gave counsel to the whole assembly that, according to this speech, they should return arms to satisfy the king, and so that everything might be restored to peace and concord.

Acquieverunt universi huic consilio, et loricas, galeas et omnia arma totamque pecuniam (stipendium vitae suae scilicet in Jerusalem) in manus magistratus regis reddiderunt, ac humiles et tremefacti [0406D] colla sua regi subdiderunt, totius misericordiae et humanitatis certi erga regem consequendae. Ministri vero regis et milites universa arma palatio regis intulerunt in conclavi, pecuniam et caetera pretiosiora, quae tantus congesserat exercitus, in aerarium regis deputaverunt. Sic armis universorum in conclavi repositis, omnem clementiam, quam polliciti sunt regem in populo habiturum, mentiti sunt, quin potius crudeli strage irruentes in eos, inermes ac nudos detruncabant ac caedem immanissimam in eos exercebant, adeo ut, sicut hi pro vero affirmant qui praesentes vix evaserunt, exstinctis et occisis corporibus et sanguine tota planities Belegrave occuparetur, et pauci ab hoc martyrio liberarentur.

All agreed to this council, and they delivered their cuirasses, helmets and all arms and all their money (the stipend of their life, namely in Jerusalem) into the hands of the king’s magistrate, and, humble and trembling, they bowed their necks beneath the king, to be certain of obtaining the whole mercy and humanity of the king. The king’s ministers and soldiers carried all the arms into the palace, into the chamber, and assigned the money and other valuables which so great an army had amassed to the king’s treasury. Thus, with the arms of all laid up in the chamber, they lied about every clemency which they had promised the king would show to the people; but rather, rushing in with cruel slaughter upon them, they hewed down the unarmed and naked and perpetrated a most monstrous massacre upon them, so that, as those who barely escaped present testify truly, with bodies extinguished and slain and blood, the whole plain of Belegrave was occupied, and few were delivered from this martyrdom.

CAP. XXVI. - Quomodo ex diversis regnis copiosa gens in eamdem expeditionem adunata sit. [0407A]

CHAPTER 26. - How from diverse kingdoms a copious host was gathered together into the same expedition. [0407A]

Eodem anno, aestatis tempore inchoante quo Petrus et Godescalcus congregato exercitu praecesserant, postmodum ex diversis regnis et terris scilicet e regno Franciae, Angliae, Flandriae, Lotharingiae gens eopiosa et innumerabilis Christianorum, igne divini amoris flagrans, et crucis signo suscepto, undique incessanter per turmas suas confluebant cum omni supellectile et substantia rerum et instrumentis armorum, quibus Jerusalem profiscentes indigebant. His itaque per turmas ex diversis regnis et civitatibus in unum collectis, sed nequaquam ab illicitis et fornicariis commistionibus aversis, immoderata erat commessatio, cum mulieribus et cum puellis sub ejusdem levitatis intentione egressis assidua delectatio et [0407B] in omni temeritate sub hujus viae occasione gloriatio.

In that same year, at the beginning of summer when Peter and Godescalc with an assembled army had gone before, afterwards from diverse kingdoms and lands — namely from the kingdom of France, England, Flanders, and Lotharingia — a copious and innumerable host of Christians, burning with the fire of divine love and having taken up the sign of the cross, were continually converging from all sides in their companies with all household stuff and the substance of goods and instruments of arms with which those setting out for Jerusalem needed. Thus, these being gathered by companies into one from diverse kingdoms and cities, yet by no means averse to illicit and fornicatorious minglings, there was immoderate revelry: when they went forth with women and with girls under the same levity of intention, there was constant delight and [0407B] in every temerity a vaunting on the occasion of this journey.

CAP. XXVII. - De strage Judaeorum Coloniae.

CHAPTER 27. - On the massacre of the Jews of Cologne.

Unde, nescio si vel Domini judicio, aut aliquo animi errore, spiritu crudelitatis adversus Judaeorum populum surrexerunt per quascunque civitates dispersum; et crudelissimam in eos exercuerunt necem, et praecipue in regno Lotharingiae, asserentes adesse principium expeditionis suae et obsequii contra hostes fidei Christianae. Haec stages Judaeorum primum in civitate Coloniensi a civibus acta est; qui subito irruentes in modicam manum illorum, plurimos gravi vulnere detruncaverunt, domos et synagogas eorum subverterunt, plurimum pecuniae inter se dividentes. Hac ergo crudelitate visa, circiter [0407C] ducenti in silentio noctis Nussiam navigio fugam inierunt, quos peregrini et cruce signati comperientes, nec unum quidem vivum reliquerunt, sed simili multatos strage rebus omnibus spolia verunt.

Whence, whether by the Lord’s judgment or by some error of mind I do not know, they rose up with a spirit of cruelty against the Jewish people throughout whatever cities they were scattered in; and they exercised the most cruel slaughter upon them, and especially in the kingdom of Lotharingia, asserting that the beginning of their expedition and obedience was towards the enemies of the Christian faith. This slaughter of the Jews was first carried out in the city of Cologne by its citizens; who, suddenly rushing in upon that small band of them, slew very many with severe wounds, overturned their houses and synagogues, and divided a great deal of money among themselves. When this cruelty was seen, about [0407C] two hundred in the night’s silence took flight by ship to Nussia; whom the pilgrims and those signed with the cross, finding, left not even one alive, but heaped upon them a like slaughter and stripped them of all things as booty.

CAP. XXVIII. - De simili strage facta Moguntiae.

CHAPTER 28. - On a similar massacre carried out at Moguntia (Mainz).

Nec mora, post haec viam insistentes, sicut devoverant, in multitudine gravi Moguntiam pervenerunt. Ubi comes Emicho, vir nobilissimus et in hac regione potentissimus, cum nimia Teutonicorum manu praestolabatur adventum peregrinorum, de diversis locis regia via illic confluentium. Judaei vero civitatis illius intelligentes necem confratrum suorum, nec manus tantorum se posse evadere, ad episcopum Rothardum spe salutis confugiunt, thesauros infinitos in custodiam et fidem illius reponentes, [0407D] multumque de protectione ejus, quia civitatis ejusdem erat episcopus confidentes.

Nor long after, pressing onward on the road, as they had vowed, in a great multitude they reached Moguntia (Mainz). Where Count Emicho, a most noble man and the most potent in that region, with an excessive band of Germans awaited the pilgrims’ arrival, those converging thither from diverse places along the royal road. But the Jews of that city, perceiving the slaughter of their brethren and that they could not escape the hands of so many, fled to Bishop Rothard in hope of salvation, entrusting infinite treasures to his custody and faith, [0407D] and placing great confidence in his protection, since he was the bishop of that same city.

Hic autem summus sacerdos civitatis pecuniam inauditam ab eis receptam caute reposuit, Judaeos in spatiosissimo domus suae solaerio a specie comitis Emichonis et ejus sequacium constituit, ut illic in tutissimo ac firmissimo habitaculo salvi et sani remanerent. Verum Emicho et caetera manus habito consilio, orto sole diei in sagittis et lanceis in solaerio Judaeos assiliunt, quos, fractis seris et januis, expugnatos ad septingentos peremerunt, frustra resistentes contra tot millium vires et assultus; mulieres pariter trucidaverunt, pueros teneros cujusque aetatis et sexus in ore gladii percusserunt. Judaei vero videntes Christianos hostes [0408A] in se suosque parvulos insurgere et nulli aetati parcere, ipsi quoque in se suosque confratres natosque, mulieres, matres et sorores irruerunt, et mutua caede peremerunt.

But the chief priest of the city cautiously laid aside the unheard‑of sum of money received from them, and placed the Jews on the solarium of his very spacious house, apart from the sight of Count Emicho and his followers, so that there they might remain safe and sound in a most secure and firm dwelling. But Emicho and the rest of the band, having taken counsel, at the rising of the sun assailed the Jews on the solarium with arrows and lances, and, the bars and doors having been broken, when the place was stormed they slew about seven hundred of them, who resisted in vain against the strength and assaults of so many thousands; they likewise butchered women, and struck down tender boys of every age and sex with the point of the sword. The Jews, seeing the Christians rise as enemies against them and against their little ones and spare no age, likewise rushed upon their own and their fellow‑brethren and their born ones, women, mothers and sisters, and destroyed one another by mutual slaughter. [0408A]

Matres pueris lactentibus (quod dictu nefas est), guttura ferro secabant, alios transforabant volentes sic potius manibus propriis perire quam incircumcisorum armis exstingui.

Mothers, with suckling infants (which it is nefas even to speak), were cutting throats with iron, they were transfixing others, preferring thus rather to perish by their own hands than to be extinguished by the arms of the uncircumcised.

CAP. XXIX- Quomodo exercitus, negato transitu, cum Hungaris conflixerit.

CHAPTER 29- How the exercitus, with transit denied, clashed with the Hungarians.

Hac Judaeorum caede tam crudeliter peracta, paucisque elapsis, et paucis timore potius mortis quam amore Christianae professionis baptizatis, cum plurimis illorum spoliis comes Emicho, Clareboldus de Vinduil, Thomas, et omnis illa intolerabilis societas virorum ac mulierum viam Jerusalem [0408B] continuarunt, tendentes versus regnum Hungariae, ubi transitus regia via universis peregrinis minime negari solebat. Sed his ad praesidium regis Meseburg venientibus, quod fluvii, Danubius et Lintax, paludibus firmant, pons et porta praesidii clausa reperitur, ex praecepto regis Hungariae, quia timor magnus invaserat universos Hungaros pro caede quam exercuerant in confratres eorum, et adhuc fetebant corpora occisorum, cum tantus subsecutus est exercitus. Erant enim ducenta millia equitum et peditum, sed equitum vix ad tria millia computabatur numerus.

With this slaughter of the Jews so cruelly carried out, a few having escaped, and a few baptized more from fear of death than from love of the Christian profession, and with most of their goods stripped off, Count Emicho, Clareboldus of Vinduil, Thomas, and that whole intolerable company of men and women continued their way toward Jerusalem [0408B], making for the kingdom of Hungary, where passage on the royal road was not wont to be denied to pilgrims. But when these, coming to the king’s stronghold Meseburg, whose defenses the rivers Danube and Lintax, with their marshes, secure, found the bridge and gate of the garrison closed by the command of the king of Hungary—because great fear had seized all the Hungarians on account of the slaughter they had inflicted on their brethren, and the bodies of the slain still putrefied—then such an army followed. For there were two hundred thousand of horse and foot, but the number of horsemen was scarcely counted at three thousand.

Clausa itaque janua, et universis transitu per regnum negato, locaverunt castra per camporum planitiem, et nuntios regi dirigentes, pacemque quaerentes, minime in pace et promissione [0408C] sua auditi sunt. Hinc Emicho, Thomas, Clareboldus, viri militari actione illustres, cum cautioribus ineunt consilium, ut regis terras ex hac parte jacentes vastarent, nec hinc recederent, donec trans paludem et fluvium Lintax pons locaretur, per quem muro praesidii aliqua arte appropinquantes transforarent, ut vel sic transitus in virtute sua pateret. Qui diebus multis a medio mensis Junii ante praesidium residentes, et pontem componentes, saepius inclusos expugnabant, defensores vero praesidii fortiter resistentes hinc et hinc jacula intorquebant, et plurimam stragem utrinque faciebant.

The gate therefore was shut, and with all passage through the kingdom denied, they encamped across the plain of the fields, sending messengers to the king and seeking peace, but they were not at all heeded in their peace and promise. Then Emicho, Thomas, Clareboldus, men renowned in military action, with the more cautious entered into counsel to ravage the king’s lands lying on this side and not to withdraw from there until a bridge should be set across the marsh and the river Lintax, by which, approaching the wall of the garrison by some art, they might pierce through, so that thus the passage might lie open in their strength. These, dwelling for many days from the middle of June before the garrison and constructing the bridge, often assaulted those enclosed, while the defenders of the garrison, resisting bravely, hurled javelins from here and there, and very great slaughter was made on both sides.

Interdum hi ex arce erumpentes in virtute loricatorum, fortiter Gallos citra fluvium et pontem urgebant, interdum Galli praevalentes, Hungaros [0408D] bello et vulnere aggravatos usque in praesidium remittebant. Die autem quodam circa nonam, Thomas, Clareboldus et Willhelmus cum trecentis, lorica et galea indutis, et equo doctis militibus, descenderunt ad insidias, ubi transitus Hungarorum navigio saepius fiebat ad tuendam terram, si forte cum illis confligere, et bellum committere opportunitas daretur, aut armenta illorum inventa depraedari possent. Illis ergo hac in spe descendentibus, septingenti milites regis ad explorandum exercitum Christianorum occurrerunt in equis militaribus et armis.

Sometimes these, bursting forth from the citadel in the strength of the cuirassed, stoutly pressed the Gauls on this side of the river and bridge; at other times the Gauls prevailing sent the Hungaros [0408D], grievously maimed by battle and wound, back to the garrison. On a certain day about the ninth hour, Thomas, Clareboldus and William, with 300 men, clad in cuirass and helmet and soldiers skilled on horse, descended to an ambush where the Hungarians’ passage by boat was oft made to hold the land, in case an opportunity might be given to engage them and join battle, or their herds might be found and plundered. Therefore, these descending in that hope, 700 of the king’s soldiers, to reconnoitre the Christian host, met them on war-horses and in arms.

Qui videntes, ab eis se nequaquam posse effugere, subito Gallorum turmas incurrerunt; et praelia committentes, superati et vulnerati graviter [0409A] attriti sunt, fugam per nota loca facientes, et suam in terram tristes et dolentes navigio remeantes. In hac conflictione Willhelmus principem exercitus Hungarorum et collateralem regis aggressus, virum illustrem et niveis crinibus renitentem, decollavit. Ex hac victoria universae legiones totam noctem illam in laetitia vigilem duxerunt, et multos Hungarorum captivos habuerunt.

Seeing that they could in no wise escape them, they suddenly charged the Gallic troops; and engaging in battle, being overcome and grievously wounded, they were harried, making flight by familiar places, and returning sadly and sorrowful to their land by ship. In this engagement Willhelmus attacked and beheaded the prince of the Hungarian army and the king’s kinsman, a man illustrious and resisting with snow-white hair. From this victory the entire legion kept vigil that whole night in joy, and they had many Hungarian captives.

CAP. XXX. - Qualiter subito disturbato exercitu innumerabilis multitudo perierit.

CHAPTER 30. - How, with the army suddenly thrown into disorder, an innumerable multitude perished.

Postquam hujusmodi plurimas congressiones, et quotidianas strages per longum temporis spatium, exercitus taedio victus, et escarum defectione attenuatus, die constituto in virtute loricatorum trans pontem, quem firmaverant, alii conferuntur, alii [0409B] per paludes diffusi praesidium Meseburg fortiter aggrediuntur. Et applicitis ingeniis, duobus in locis muros perforant, Hungaros non parce angustiant, donec fere omnibus, in crastino si persisterent, aperiretur. Rex autem Calomanus et omnis comitatus ejus mature equos ascenderunt, parati ad fugam versus regnum Russiae, si tantam vim Gallorum, superato praesidio, terram ingredi viderent.

After so many engagements and daily slaughters over a long span of time, the army, worn down by weariness and thinned by the failure of provisions, on the appointed day, in the strength of the mail-clad, crossed the bridge which they had fortified; some were moved elsewhere, others, scattered through the marshes, boldly attacked the garrison of Meseburg. And with engines applied, they pierced the walls in two places; they pressed the Hungarians relentlessly, until for almost all, if they should persist on the next day, it would have been opened. But King Calomanus and his whole retinue early mounted their horses, ready to flee toward the kingdom of Russia, should they see so great a force of the Franks, the garrison having been overcome, enter the land.

Pontes enim longa vetustate dirutos reparaverant, per quos transire possent paludes et fluvios in terram Russiae, si necessitate cogerentur. Sed dum fere omnia prospere successissent Christianis, et muros grandi foramine penetrassent, nescio quo casu aut infortunio tantus timor universum exercitum invasit, ut in fugam pariter redderentur, ut quasi oves a lupis [0409C] irruentibus dispersi et concussi, hac et illac diffugium quaerentes, sociorum obliviscerentur, Hungari vero, videntes tam subito athletas fortes deficere et fugam maturare, in virtute magna e portis cum rege exsiliunt, sine tardatione fugientes persequuntur, plurimam caedem exercentes et plurimos captivantes, ac plerumque noctis in persecutione consumentes. Pedestris vulgi utriusque sexus tanta facta est occisio ut aquae Danubii et Lintax in sanguineas mutarentur undas.

For they had repaired bridges long broken by age, across which they could pass the marshes and rivers into the land of Russia, if necessity should compel. But while almost all things had prospered for the Christians, and they had pierced the walls with a large breach, I know not by what chance or misfortune so great a terror seized the entire army that they were alike reduced to flight, as if scattered and struck like sheep by wolves rushing in, fleeing this way and that seeking refuge, forgetting their allies. The Hungarians, seeing so suddenly the stout athletes fail and hasten their flight, issued forth from the gates with the king in great force, and, pursuing without delay those who fled, wrought very great slaughter and took very many captive, and chiefly consumed the pursuit by night. So great was the slaughter of the footfolk of both sexes that the waters of the Danube and of Lintax were turned into blood-red waves.

Plurimi vero et numero incomparabiles per aquas liberari sperantes, prae timore imminentis occisionis Danubii undis caeco ausu inferuntur, et aquis vehementibus suffocantur. Mirabile [0410A] dictu! tanta futigitivorum submersio facta est ut tam spatiosi fluminis aquae prae tot millium corporibus per aliquantum tempus videri non possent.

Many moreover, incomparable in number, hoping to be freed through the waters, through fear of the impending slaughter are carried into the blind waves of the Danubius by a blind daring, and are overwhelmed by the vehement waters. Wonderful to tell! so great a submersion of fugitives occurred that the waters of so spacious a river, on account of so many thousands of bodies, could not be seen for some time.

Emicho autem, Thomas, Clareboldus, Willhelmus, et alii pauci, quorum equi cursu adhuc valebant, incolumes evaserunt, et aliqui, qui in palustri herba frutetisque latuerunt, aut in opaca nocte fugere potuerunt. Emicho et quidam suorum, via qua venerant, reditum fugiendo tenuerunt; Thomas, Clareboldus et plures suorum versus Carinthiam et Italiam fuga elapsi sunt. Sic manus Domini contra peregrinos esse creditur, qui nimis immunditiis et fornicario concubitu in conspectu ejus peccaverant; et exsules Judaeos, licet Christo contrarios, pecuniae avaritia magis quam pro justitia Domini gravi caede [0410B] mactaverant, cum justus judex sit Dominus, et neminem invitum aut coactum ad jugum fidei catholicae jubeat venire.

Emicho, Thomas, Clareboldus, Willhelmus, and a few others whose horses yet had strength in their course escaped unhurt, and some who had lain hidden in marsh grass and shrubs, or in the dark night were able to flee. Emicho and certain of his men, by the road by which they had come, preserved their return by flight; Thomas, Clareboldus and many of their men slipped away in flight toward Carinthia and Italy. Thus the hand of the Lord is believed to have been against the pilgrims, who had sinned in his sight by excessive uncleannesses and fornicatory concubinage; and they had slain the exiled Jews, although opposed to Christ, more through avarice for money than for the justice of the Lord — since the Lord is a just judge, and commands no one unwilling or coerced to come under the yoke of the Catholic faith.

CAP. XXXI. - De superstitione anseris et capellae.

CHAPTER 31. - On the superstition of the goose and the she-goat.

Fuit et aliud scelus detestabile in hac congregatione pedestris populi stulti et vesanae levitatis, quod Domino odibile et omnibus fidelibus, incredibile non dubitatur. Anserem quemdam divino Spiritu asserebant afflatum, et capellam non minus eodem repletam, et has sibi duces hujus secundae viae fecerant in Jerusalem, quas et nimium venerabantur, ac bestiali more his intendebant ex tota animi intentione. Quod absit a fidelibus cordibus, ut Dominus Jesus a brutis animalibus et insensatis sepulcrum sui sanctissimi corporis visitari velit, et [0410C] haec fieri duces Christianarum animarum, quas pretio sanguinis sui ab idolorum spurcitiis revocatas redimere dignatus est, cum coelos ascensurus duces et rectores populi sui sanctissimos et Deo dignos praesules et abbates praeordinaverit, non bruta insensata animalia!

There was also another detestable crime in this congregation of the pedestrian people, foolish and of insane levity, which is hateful to the Lord and, it is not doubted, incredible to all the faithful. They asserted that a certain goose had been breathed upon by the Divine Spirit, and a she‑goat no less filled by the same, and they had made these their leaders of this second way in Jerusalem, which they excessively venerated, and in a bestial manner these they directed with the whole intention of their minds. Far be it from the hearts of the faithful that the Lord Jesus would wish the tomb of his most holy body to be visited by brute and insensate animals, and [0410C] that these be made the leaders of Christian souls, which he deigned to redeem, recalled from the filth of idols by the price of his blood; when, about to ascend to the heavens, he preordained as leaders and rulers of his people most holy and God‑worthy bishops and abbots, not brute senseless animals!

Sed quid mirum, si modernis temporibus hujusmodi abominationes, et tam foeda scelera, inter aliquas societates tot millium inventa sunt, quae Dominus in caput eorum reddiderit, cum temporibus Moysi et Josue et caeterorum servorum Domini in medio justorum inventa sit iniquitas, et ab eo, qui est Dominus ultionum, virga suae majestatis correpta et purificata?

But what wonder, if in modern times such abominations, and so foul crimes, have been found among certain societies of so many thousands, which the Lord has rendered upon their heads, when in the times of Moses and Joshua and the other servants of the Lord in the midst of the righteous iniquity was found, and by Him who is the Lord of vengeance was corrected and purified by the rod of his majesty?