Gesta Francorum: Liber I

[i] Cum iam appropinquasset ille terminus quem dominus Iesus cotidie suis demonstrat fidelibus, specialiter in euangelio dicens: "Si quis uult post me uenire, abneget semetipsum et tollat crucem suam et sequatur me" facta est igitur motio ualida per uniuersas Galliarum regiones, ut si aliquis Deum studiose puroque corde et mente sequi desideraret, atque post ipsum crucem fideliter baiulare uellet, non pigritaretur Sancti Sepulchri uiam celerius arripere. Apostolicus namque Romanae sedis ultra montanas partes quantocius profectus est cum suis archiepiscopis, episcopis, abbatibus, et presbiteris, coepitque subtiliter sermocinari et predicare, dicens, ut si quis animam suam saluam facere uellet, non dubitaret humiliter uiam incipere Domini, ac si denariorum ei deesset copia, diuina ei satis daret misericordia. Ait namque domnus apostolicus 'Fratres, uos oportet multa pati pro nomine Christi, uidelicet miserias, paupertates, nuditates, persecutiones, egestates, infirmitates, fames, sites et alia huiusmodi, sicuti Dominus ait suis discipulis: "Oportet uos pati multa pro nomine meo", et: "Nolite erubescere loqui ante facies hominum; ego uero dabo uobis os et eloquium", ac deinceps: "Persequetur uos larga retributio". Cumque iam hic sermo paulatim per uniuersas regiones ac Galliarum patrias coepisset crebrescere, Franci audientes talia protinus in dextra crucem suere scapula, dicentes sese Christi unanimiter sequi uestigia, quibus de manu erant redempti tartarea.

[1] When that terminus had now drawn near which the Lord Jesus daily shows to his faithful, especially in the Gospel saying: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me," a strong motion was therefore made through all the regions of Gaul, that if anyone desired to follow God studiously and with a pure heart and mind, and wished faithfully to bear the cross after him, he would not be slow to seize more swiftly the way of the Holy Sepulchre. For the Apostolic of the Roman See set out as quickly as possible to the parts beyond the mountains with his archbishops, bishops, abbots, and presbyters, and began subtly to sermonize and to preach, saying that if anyone wished to make his soul safe, he should not hesitate humbly to begin the way of the Lord, and if a supply of denarii were lacking to him, divine mercy would give enough to him. For the lord Apostolic says, 'Brothers, it behooves you to suffer many things for the name of Christ, namely miseries, poverties, nudities, persecutions, necessities, infirmities, hungers, thirsts, and other things of this sort, just as the Lord says to his disciples: "It behooves you to suffer many things for my name," and: "Do not be ashamed to speak before the faces of men; truly I will give you a mouth and utterance," and thereafter: "A generous retribution will pursue you". And when this word had now little by little begun to grow frequent through all the regions and fatherlands of Gaul, the Franks, hearing such things, straightway sewed the cross on the right shoulder-blade, saying that they unanimously followed the footsteps of Christ, by whom they had been redeemed from the Tartarean hand.

Iamiamque Galliae suis remotae sunt domibus.

And now at once the Gauls have been removed from their own homes.

[ii] Fecerunt denique Galli tres partes. Vna pars Francorum in Hungariae intrauit regionem, scilicet Petrus Heremita, et dux Godefridus, et Balduinus frater eius, et Balduinus comes de Monte. Isti potentissimi milites et alii plures quos ignoro uenerunt per uiam quam iamdudum Karolus Magnus mirificus rex Franciae aptari fecit usque Constantinopolim.

[2] Finally the Gauls made three parts. One part of the Franks entered the region of Hungary, namely Peter the Hermit, and Duke Godfrey, and Baldwin his brother, and Baldwin, count of the Mount. These most powerful knights and many others whom I do not know came by the road which long ago Charles the Great (Charlemagne), the wondrous king of France, caused to be made fit as far as Constantinople.

Petrus uero supradictus primus uenit Constantinopolim in kalendis Augusti et cum eo maxima gens Alamannorum. Illic inuenit Lombardos et Longobardos et alios plures congregatos, quibus imperator iusserat dari mercatum, sicuti erat in ciuitate, dixitque illis 'Nolite transmeare Brachium, donec ueniat maxima Christianorum uirtus, quoniam uos tanti non estis, ut cum Turcis preliari ualeatis. Ipsique Christiani nequiter deducebant se, quia palatia urbis sternebant et ardebant, et auferebant plumbum quo ecclesiae erant coopertae et uendebant Grecis.

Peter, the aforesaid, came first to Constantinople on the Kalends of August, and with him a very great nation of the Alemanni. There he found Lombards and Longobards and many others gathered, to whom the emperor had ordered that a market be given, just as there was in the city, and he said to them, 'Do not cross the Arm, until the greatest force of the Christians comes, for you are not of such weight that you are able to do battle with the Turks.' And the Christians themselves were conducting themselves wickedly, for they were leveling and burning the palaces of the city, and were taking away the lead with which the churches were covered and were selling it to the Greeks.

Vnde imperator iratus est iussitque eos transmeare Brachium. Postquam transfretauerunt, non cessabant agere omnia mala, comburentes et deuastantes domos et ecclesias. Tandem peruenerunt Nicomediam, ubi diuisi sunt Lombardi et Longobardi, et Alamanni a Francis, quia Franci tumebant superbia.

Whence the emperor was angered and ordered them to cross the Arm (Brachium). After they had crossed over, they did not cease to do every evil, burning and devastating houses and churches. At length they arrived at Nicomedia, where the Lombards and Longobards were separated, and the Alamanni from the Franks, because the Franks swelled with superbia.

Elegerunt Lombardi et Longobardi seniorem super se, cui nomen Rainoldus, Alamanni similiter. Et intrauerunt in Romaniam et per quatuor dies ierunt ultra Nicenam urbem inueneruntque quoddam castrum cui nomen Exerogorgo, quod erat uacuum gente. Et apprehenderunt illud, in qua inuenerunt satis frumenti et uini et carnis, et omnium bonorum abundantiam.

The Lombards and the Longobards chose a senior over themselves, whose name was Rainoldus; the Alamanni likewise. And they entered into Romania and for four days went beyond the city of Nicaea, and they found a certain fortress named Exerogorgo, which was empty of people. And they seized it, in which they found sufficient grain and wine and meat, and an abundance of all goods.

Audientes itaque Turci quod Christiani essent in castro, uenerunt obsidere illud. Ante portam castri erat puteus, et ad pedem castri fons uiuus, iuxta quem exiit Rainaldus insidiari Turcos. Venientes uero Turci in festo sancti Michahelis, inuenerunt Rainaldum et qui cum eo erant, occideruntque Turci multos ex eis.

Hearing, therefore, that Christians were in the castle, the Turks came to besiege it. Before the gate of the castle there was a well, and at the foot of the castle a living spring, near which Rainald went out to lie in ambush for the Turks. But when the Turks came on the feast of Saint Michael, they found Rainald and those who were with him, and the Turks slew many of them.

Alii fugerunt in castrum. Quod confestim Turci obsederunt, eisque aquam abstulerunt. Fueruntque nostri in tanta afflictione sitis, ut flebotomarent suos equos et asinos, quorum sanguinem bibebant.

Others fled into the castle. Which the Turks immediately besieged, and they took away their water. And our men were in so great an affliction of thirst that they phlebotomized their horses and asses, whose blood they drank.

Alii mittebant zonas atque panniculos in piscinam, et inde exprimebant aquam in os suum. Alii mingebant in pugillo alterius, et bibebant. Alii fodiebant humidam terram, et supinabant se, terramque sternebant super pectora sua, pro nimia ariditate sitis.

Others were sending belts and little rags into the pool, and from there they expressed the water into their mouths. Others were urinating into another’s cupped hand, and were drinking. Others were digging the moist earth, and lay supine, and were strewing earth over their chests, on account of the excessive aridity of thirst.

Episcopi uero et presbiteri confortabant nostros et commonebant ne deficerent. Haec tribulatio fuit per octo dies. Denique dominus Alamannorum concordatus est cum Turcis, ut traderet socios illis, et fingens se exire ad bellum, fugit ad illos et multi cum eo. Illi autem qui Deum negare noluerunt, capitalem sententiam susceperunt.

But the bishops and presbyters were comforting our men and admonishing them not to lose heart. This tribulation lasted for eight days. At length the lord of the Alemanni came to an accord with the Turks, to hand over his comrades to them, and, pretending that he was going out to battle, he fled to them, and many with him. But those who were unwilling to deny God received a capital sentence.

Alios quos ceperunt uiuos adinuicem diuiserunt quasi oues. Alios miserunt ad signum et sagittabant eos; alios uendebant et donabant quasi animalia. Quidam conducebant suos in domum suam, alios in Corosanum, alios in Antiochiam, alios in Aleph, aut ubi ipsi manebant.

Others whom they had taken alive they divided among themselves like sheep. Others they set up as a target and shot them with arrows; others they sold and gave away like animals. Certain men conducted theirs into their own house, others to Corosanum, others to Antioch, others to Aleppo, or to wherever they themselves were staying.

Isti primo felix acceperunt martirium pro nomine Domini Iesu.

These first received a blessed martyrdom for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Audientes denique Turci quod Petrus Heremita et Guualterius Sinehabere fuissent in Cyuito, quae supra Nicenam urbem est, uenerunt illuc cum magno gaudio ut occiderent illos et eos qui cum ipsis erant. Cumque uenissent obuiauerunt Guualterio cum suis, quos Turci mox occiderunt. Petrus uero Heremita paulo ante ierat Constantinopolim, eo quod nequibat refrenare illam diuersam gentem, quae nec illum nec uerba eius audire uolebat.

At last, hearing that Peter the Hermit and Walter Without-Having had been at Cyuito, which is above the city of Nicaea, the Turks came there with great joy to kill them and those who were with them. And when they had come, they met Walter with his men, whom the Turks soon killed. But Peter the Hermit a little before had gone to Constantinople, for he was not able to restrain that diverse people, who were unwilling to hear either him or his words.

Irruentes uero Turci super eos occiderunt multos ex eis; alios inuenerunt dormientes, alios nudos, quos onmes necauerunt, cum quibus quemdam sacerdotem inuenerunt missam celebrantem, quem statim super altare martirizauerunt. Illi uero qui euadere potuerunt Cyuito fugerunt; alii precipitabant se in mare, alii latebant in siluis et montanis. Turci uero persequentes illos in castrum adunauerunt ligna, ut eos comburerent cum castro.

Rushing in, indeed, the Turks fell upon them and killed many of them; others they found sleeping, others naked, all of whom they slew; and among them they found a certain priest celebrating Mass, whom they straightway martyrized upon the altar. But those who were able to escape fled to Cyuito; others were hurling themselves into the sea, others were hiding in the woods and the mountains. The Turks, however, pursuing them into the castle, gathered wood, in order that they might burn them together with the castle.

Christiani igitur qui in castro erant miserunt ignem in ligna congregata, et uersus ignis in Turcos quosdam eorum concremauit, sed ab illo incendio Deus nostros tunc liberauit. Tandem Turci apprehenderunt illos uiuos, diuiseruntque illos sicut prius fecerant alios, et disperserunt illos per uniuersas regiones has, alios in Corosanum, alios in Persidem. Hoc totum est factum in mense Octobri.

Therefore the Christians who were in the castle sent fire into the gathered wood, and the fire, turning against the Turks, burned up some of them; but from that conflagration God then delivered our men. At length the Turks seized them alive, and divided them as they had previously done with others, and scattered them through all these regions, some into Chorasan, others into Persia. This whole thing was done in the month of October.

Audiens imperator quod Turci sic dissipassent nostros, gauisus est ualde, et mandauit fecitque eos Brachium transmeare. Postquam ultra fuerunt, comparauit omnia arma eorum.

Hearing that the Turks had thus scattered our men, the emperor rejoiced greatly, and ordered and caused them to cross the Arm. After they were across, he bought up all their arms.

[iii] Secunda uero pars intrauit in Sclauiniae partes, scilicet comes de Sancto Egidio Raimundus et Podiensis episcopus. Tertia autem pars per antiquam Romae uiam uenit. In hac parte fuerunt Boamundus, et Richardus de Principatu, Rotbertus comes Flandrensis, Rotbertus Nortmannus, Hugo Magnus, Eurardus de Puisatio, Achardus de Monte Merloi, Isuardus de Musone, et alii plures.

[3] The second part indeed entered into the regions of Slavonia, namely Count Raymond of Saint-Gilles and the Bishop of Le Puy. But the third part came by the ancient road of Rome. In this part were Bohemond, and Richard of the Principate, Robert, count of Flanders, Robert the Norman, Hugh the Great, Evrard of Puiset, Achard of Montmerle, Isoard of Mouzon, and many others.

Deinde uenerunt ad portum Brandosim aut Barim siue Otrentum. Hugo denique Magnus et Willelmus Marchisi filius intrauerunt mare ad portum Bari, et transfretantes uenerunt Durachium. Audiens uero dux illius loci hos prudentissimos uiros illic esse applicatos, mox mala cogitatio cor eius tetigit, illosque apprehendit, ac iussit Constantinopolim imperatori caute duci, quo ei fidelitatem facerent.

Then they came to the port of Brindisi or Bari or Otranto. Hugh the Great and William, the Marquis’s son, put to sea at the port of Bari, and, crossing over, came to Durachium. Hearing that these most prudent men had landed there, the duke of that place was at once touched in his heart by an evil thought, and he apprehended them, and ordered them to be cautiously conducted to the emperor at Constantinople, so that they might render fidelity to him.

Dux denique Godefridus primus omnium seniorum Constantinopolim uenit cum magno exercitu, duobus diebus ante Domini nostri Natale, et hospitatus est extra urbem, donec iniquus imperator iussit eum hospitari in burgo urbis. Cumque fuisset hospitatus dux, secure mittebat armigeros suos per singulos dies, ut paleas et alia equis necessaria asportarent. Et cum putarent exire fiducialiter quo uellent, iniquus imperator Alexius imperauit Turcopolis et Pinzinacis inuadere illos et occidere.

Duke Godfrey, finally, was the first of all the elders to come to Constantinople with a great army, two days before the Nativity of our Lord, and he was lodged outside the city, until the iniquitous emperor ordered him to be lodged in the burg of the city. And when the duke had been lodged, he safely sent his armor-bearers every single day, that they might carry off straw and other things necessary for the horses. And when they supposed they could go out confidently whither they wished, the iniquitous emperor Alexius ordered the Turcopoles and the Patzinaks to assail them and kill them.

Balduinus itaque frater ducis haec audiens misit se in insidiis, tandemque inuenit eos occidentes gentem suam, eosque inuasit forti animo, ac Deo iuuante superauit eos. Et apprehendens sexaginta ex eis, partem occidit, partem duci fratri suo presentauit. Quod cum audisset imperator, ualde iratus est.

Baldwin, therefore, the duke’s brother, hearing these things, set himself in ambush, and at length found them killing his own people; and he assailed them with a stout spirit, and, God aiding, overcame them. And apprehending sixty of them, he killed a part, and a part he presented to the duke, his brother. When the emperor heard this, he was greatly enraged.

Videns uero dux inde iratum imperatorem, exiit cum suis de burgo et hospitatus est extra urbem. Sero autem facto, infelix imperator iussit suis exercitibus inuadere ducem cum Christi gente. Quos dux persequens inuictus cum Christi militibus septem ex illis occidit, persequendo alios usque ad portam ciuitatis.

But when the duke, seeing the emperor angry on account of this, went out with his own men from the burgh and took lodging outside the city. When it was late, however, the ill‑fated emperor ordered his armies to invade the duke with the people of Christ. Pursuing them, the unconquered duke, with the soldiers of Christ, slew seven of them, chasing the others up to the gate of the city.

Reuersusque dux ad sua tentoria mansit inibi per quinque dies, donec pactum iniit cum imperatore, dixitque illi imperator ut transfretaret Brachium sancti Georgii, permisitque eum habere omnem mercatum ibi sicut est Constantinopoli; et pauperibus elemosinam erogare, unde potuissent uiuere.

And the duke, having returned to his tents, remained there for five days, until he entered into a pact with the emperor; and the emperor told him to cross the Arm of Saint George, and permitted him to have all market there just as it is at Constantinople; and to distribute alms to the poor, whence they might be able to live.

[iiii] At bellipotens Boamundus qui erat in obsidione Malfi, Scafardi Pontis, audiens uenisse innumerabilem gentem Christianorum de Francis, ituram ad Domini Sepulchrum, et paratam ad prelium contra gentem paganorum, coepit diligenter inquirere quae arma pugnandi haec gens deferat, et quam ostensionem Christi in uia portet, uel quod signum in certamine sonet. Cui per ordinem haec dicta sunt: 'Deferunt arma ad bellum congrua, in dextra uel inter utrasque scapulas crucem Christi baiulant; sonum uero "Deus uult, Deus uult, Deus uult!" una uoce conclamant. Mox Sancto commotus Spiritu, iussit preciosissimum pallium quod apud se habebat incidi, totumque statim in cruces expendit.

[4] But Bohemond, mighty-in-war, who was in the siege of Melfi, at Scafardus’s Bridge, hearing that an innumerable people of Christians from the Franks had come, going to the Lord’s Sepulcher, and prepared for battle against the pagan people, began diligently to inquire what arms for fighting this people bears, and what ostension of Christ it carries on the way, or what signal it sounds in the contest. To whom in order these things were said: ‘They bear arms suitable for war; on the right, or between both shoulder-blades, they bear the cross of Christ; and the cry “God wills it, God wills it, God wills it!” they proclaim with one voice.’ Straightway stirred by the Holy Spirit, he ordered the most precious pallium that he had with him to be cut up, and immediately expended it all into crosses.

Coepit tunc ad eum uehementer concurrere maxima pars militum qui erant in obsidione illa, adeo ut Rogerius comes pene solus remanserit, reuersusque Siciliam dolebat et merebat quandoque gentem amittere suam. Denique reuersus iterum in terram suam dominus Boamundus diligenter honestauit sese ad incipiendum Sancti Sepulchri iter. Tandem transfretauit mare cum suo exercitu, et cum eo Tancredus Marchisi filius, et Richardus princeps, ac Rainulfus frater eius, et Rotbertus de Ansa, et Hermannus de Canni, et Rotbertus de Surda Valle, et Robertus filius Tostani, et Hunfredus filius Radulfi, et Ricardus filius comitis Rainulfi, et comes de Russignolo cum fratribus suis, et Boello Carnotensis, et Alberedus de Cagnano, et Hunfredus de Monte Scabioso.

Then a very great part of the soldiers who were in that siege began to flock vehemently to him, so that Count Roger remained almost alone; and returning to Sicily he was grieving, and at times was deserving to lose his own people. Finally, lord Bohemond, having returned again to his land, diligently arrayed himself to begin the journey of the Holy Sepulcher. At length he crossed the sea with his army, and with him Tancred, the Marquess’s son, and Richard the prince, and Rainulf his brother, and Robert of Ansa, and Hermann of Cannae, and Robert of Surda Valle, and Robert son of Tostanus, and Humphrey son of Ralph, and Richard son of Count Rainulf, and the count of Russignolo with his brothers, and Boello the Carnotensian (of Chartres), and Alberedus of Cagnano, and Humphrey of Monte Scabioso.

Hi omnes transfretauerunt ad Boamundi famulatum, et applicuerunt Bulgariae partibus; ubi inuenerunt nimiam abundantiam frumenti et uini et alimentorum corporis. Deinde descendentes in uallem de Andronopoli; expectauerunt gentem suam, donec omnes pariter transfretassent. Tunc Boamundus ordinauit concilium cum gente sua, confortans et monens omnes ut boni et humiles essent; et ne depredarentur terram istam quia Christianorum erat, et nemo acciperet nisi quod ei sufficeret ad edendum.

All these crossed over into Bohemond’s service, and made landfall in the parts of Bulgaria; where they found an excessive abundance of grain and wine and aliments of the body. Then, descending into the valley of Adrianople; they awaited their people, until all together had crossed over. Then Bohemond arranged a council with his people, strengthening and admonishing all that they should be good and humble; and that they should not depredate this land because it belonged to Christians, and that no one should take anything except what would suffice him for eating.

Tunc exeuntes inde, uenerunt per nimiam plenitudinem de uilla in uillam, de ciuitate in ciuitatem, de castello in castellum, quousque peruenimus Castoriam; ibique Natiuitatem Domini solemniter celebrauimus; fuimusque ibi per plures dies, et quesiuimus mercatum, sed ipsi noluerunt nobis assentire, eo quod ualde timebant nos, non putantes nos esse peregrinos, sed uelle populari terram et occidere illos. Quapropter apprehendebamus boues, equos et asinos, et omnia quae inueniebamus. Egressi de Castoria, intrauimus Palagoniam, in qua erat quoddam hereticorum castrum.

Then, going out from there, we came, in excessive plenitude, from village to village, from city to city, from castle to castle, until we arrived at Castoria; and there we solemnly celebrated the Nativity of the Lord; and we were there for several days, and we sought a market, but they were unwilling to assent to us, because they greatly feared us, not thinking us to be pilgrims, but to wish to ravage the land and to kill them. Wherefore we seized oxen, horses, and asses, and all that we found. Having gone out from Castoria, we entered Palagonia, in which there was a certain castle of heretics.

Quod undique aggressi sumus, moxque nostro succubuit imperio. Accenso itaque igne, combussimus castrum cum habitatoribus suis. Postea peruenimus ad flumen Bardarum.

Which we attacked from every side, and soon it succumbed to our imperium. Therefore, the fire having been kindled, we burned the castle with its inhabitants. Afterwards we came to the river Bardar.

Denique perrexit dominus Boamundus ultracum sua gente, sed non tota. Remansit enim ibi comes de Russignolo, cum fratribus suis. Venit exercitus imperatoris, et inuasit comitem cum fratribus suis, et omnes qui erant cum eis.

Finally Lord Bohemond went on beyond with his people, but not all of them. For the count of Russignolo remained there, with his brothers. The emperor’s army came and invaded the count with his brothers, and all who were with them.

Quod audiens Tancredus rediit retro, et proiectus in flumen natando peruenit ad alios, et duo milia miserunt se in flumen sequendo Tancredum. Tandem inuenerunt Turcopulos et Pinzinacos dimicantes cum nostris. Quos repente fortiter inuaserunt, et prudenter eos superauerunt.

Hearing this, Tancred turned back, and, having thrown himself into the river, by swimming reached the others; and two thousand cast themselves into the river, following Tancred. At length they found the Turkopoles and the Pechenegs fighting with our men. These they suddenly attacked bravely, and prudently overcame them.

Et apprehenderunt plures ex illis, et duxerunt illos ligatos ante domini Boamundi presentiam. Quibus ait ipse, 'Quare miseri occiditis gentem Christi et meam? Ego cum uestro imperatore nullam altercationem habeo.

And they apprehended many of them, and led them bound before the presence of lord Boamund. To whom he himself said, 'Why, wretches, do you slay the people of Christ and my own? I have no altercation with your emperor.'

Qui responderunt: 'Nos nequimus aliud agere. In roga imperatoris locati sumus, et quicquid nobis imperat nos oportet implere. Quos Boamundus impunitos permisit abire.

Who responded: 'We cannot do otherwise. We are placed in the emperor’s pay, and whatever he commands us, it behooves us to fulfill.' Boamund permitted them to depart unpunished.

Hoc bellum factum est in quarta feria, quae est caput ieiunii. Per omnia benedictus Deus. Amen.

This battle took place on Wednesday, which is the head of the fast. In all things, blessed be God. Amen.

Explicit liber I. Incipit liber secundus.

Book 1 ends. The second book begins.