Gesta Francorum: Liber II

[v] Mandauit infelix imperator simul cum nostris nuntiis uni ex suis, quem ualde diligebat, quem et corpalatium uocant, ut nos secure deduceret per terram suam, donec ueniremus Constantinopolim. Cumque transiremus ante illorum ciuitates, iubebat habitatoribus terrae ut nobis asportarent mercatum, sicut faciebant et illi quos diximus. Certe tantum timebant fortissimam gentem domni Boamundi, ut nullum nostrorum sinerent intrare muros ciuitatum.

[5] The unlucky emperor, together with our envoys, gave orders to one of his own, whom he loved greatly—whom they also call a corpalatium—that he should conduct us securely through his land until we should come to Constantinople. And when we were passing before their cities, he kept ordering the inhabitants of the land to bring a market out to us, just as also those whom we mentioned were doing. Indeed, they so feared the most valiant host of lord Bohemond that they allowed none of our men to enter the walls of the cities.

Volueruntque nostri quoddam castrum aggredi et apprehendere, eo quod erat plenum omnibus bonis. Sed uir prudens Boamundus noluit consentire, tantum pro iustitia terrae quantum pro fiducia imperatoris. Vnde ualde iratus est cum Tancredo et aliis omnibus.

And our men wished to attack and apprehend a certain castle, for it was full of all goods. But the prudent man Boamundus did not wish to consent, as much for the justice of the land as for the emperor’s trust. Whence he was very angry with Tancred and all the others.

Hoc factum est uespere. Mane uero facto, exierunt habitatores castri, et cum processione deferentes in manibus cruces, uenerunt in presentiam Boamundi. Ipse uero gaudens recepit eos, et cum letitia abire permisit illos.

This was done in the evening. But when morning indeed had come, the inhabitants of the castle went out, and with a procession, bearing crosses in their hands, they came into the presence of Bohemond. He himself, rejoicing, received them, and with gladness permitted them to depart.

Deinde uenimus ad quamdam urbem quae dicitur Serra, ubi nostra fiximus tentoria, et sat habuimus mercatum, illis diebus conueniens. Ibi Boamundus concordatus est cum duobus corpalatiis, et pro amicitia eorum ac pro iustitia terrae iussit reddi omnia animalia quae nostri depredata tenebant. Deinde peruenimus ad Rusam ciuitatem.

Then we came to a certain city which is called Serra, where we pitched our tents, and we had plenty of market, suitable for those days. There Boamundus came to an accord with two Curopalates, and for the sake of their friendship and for the justice of the land he ordered all the animals which our men were holding as plunder to be returned. Then we arrived at the city of Rusa.

Grecorum autem gens exibat et ueniebat gaudens in occursum domini Boamundi, nobis deferens maximum mercatum, ibique nostros tetendimus papiliones in quarta feria ante Cenam Domini; ibi etiam Boamundus totam gentem suam dimisit, perrexitque loqui cum imperatore Constantinopolim, ducens tamen secum paucos milites. Tancredus remansit caput militiae Christi, uidensque peregrinos cibos emere, ait intra se quod exiret extra uiam, et hunc populum conduceret ubi feliciter uiueret. Denique intrauit in uallem quamdam plenam omnibus bonis quae corporalibus nutrimentis sunt congrua; in qua Pascha Domini deuotissime celebrauimus.

But the nation of the Greeks was going out and came rejoicing to meet lord Bohemond, bringing us a very great market; and there we stretched our pavilions on Wednesday before the Lord’s Supper; there also Bohemond dismissed his whole host and went on to speak with the emperor to Constantinople, yet leading with him a few soldiers. Tancred remained the head of the militia of Christ, and seeing the pilgrims buying foods, he said within himself that he would go off the road and would conduct this people to where it might live happily. At length he entered a certain valley full of all goods that are fitting for corporal nutriments; in which we most devoutly celebrated the Pasch of the Lord.

[vi] Cum imperator audisset honestissimum uirum Boamundum ad se uenisse, iussit eum honorabiliter recipi, et caute hospitari extra urbem. Quo hospitato, imperator misit pro eo, ut ueniret loqui simul secreto secum. Tunc illuc uenit dux Godefridus cum fratre suo; ac deinde comes Sancti Egidii appropinquauit ciuitati.

[6] When the emperor had heard that the most honorable man Boamund had come to him, he ordered that he be received honorably and lodged cautiously outside the city. When he had been lodged, the emperor sent for him, that he might come to speak together with him in secret. Then Duke Godfrey came there with his brother; and afterward the Count of Saint-Gilles approached the city.

Tunc imperator anxians et bulliens ira, cogitabat quemadmodum callide fraudulenterque comprehenderet hos Christi milites. Sed diuina gratia reuelante, neque locus neque nocendi spatium ab eo uel a suis inuenta sunt. Nouissime uero congregati omnes maiores natu qui Constantinopoli erant, timentes ne sua priuarentur patria, reppererunt in suis consiliis atque ingeniosis scematibus quod nostrorum duces, comites, seu omnes maiores imperatori sacramentum fideliter facere deberent.

Then the emperor, anxious and boiling with ire, was pondering how cleverly and fraudulently he might seize these soldiers of Christ. But, with divine grace revealing, neither place nor room for harming was found by him or by his own. Lastly, indeed, all the elders who were at Constantinople, fearing lest they be deprived of their fatherland, discovered in their counsels and ingenious schemata that our dukes, counts, or all the greater men ought to make to the emperor the sacrament—that is, an oath—of fidelity.

Qui omnino prohibuerunt, dixeruntque: ,Certe indigni sumus, atque iustum nobis uidetur nullatenus ei sacramentum iurare.'

They absolutely forbade it, and said: 'Surely we are unworthy, and it seems just to us by no means to swear him the oath (sacramentum).'

Forsitan adhuc a nostris maioribus sepe delusi erimus. Ad ultimum quid facturi erunt? Dicent quoniam necessitate compulsi nolentes uolentesque humiliauerunt se ad nequissimi irnperatoris uoluntatem.

Perhaps even now we shall have been often deluded by our elders. In the end, what will they be going to do? They will say that, compelled by necessity, willing and unwilling, they humbled themselves to the will of the most wicked emperor.

Fortissimo autem uiro Boamundo quem ualde timebat, quia olim eum sepe cum suo exercitu eiecerat de campo dixit, quoniam si libenter ei iuraret, quindecim dies eundi terrae in extensione ab Antiochia retro daret, et octo in latitudine. Eique tali modo iurauit, ut si ille fideliter teneret illud sacramentum, iste suum nunquam preteriret. Tam fortes et tam duri milites, cur hoc fecerunt?

But to the very brave man Bohemond, whom he greatly feared, because once he had often driven him with his army from the field, he said that, if he would willingly swear to him, he would grant fifteen days’ going by land in extension from Antioch backward, and eight in latitude. And to him he swore in such a manner, that if that man should faithfully keep that sacrament (oath), this man would never overstep his own. So strong and so hard soldiers, why did they do this?

Propterea igitur, quia multa coacti erant necessitate.

Therefore, for this reason, because they were compelled to many things by necessity.

Imperator quoque omnibus nostris fidem et securitatem dedit, iurauit etiam quia ueniret nobiscum pariter cum suo exercitu per terram et per mare; et nobis mercatum terra marique fideliter daret, ac omnia nostra perdita diligenter restauraret, insuper et neminem nostrorum peregrinorum conturbari uel contristari in uia Sancti Sepulchri nellet aut permitteret.

The Emperor also gave to all our people faith and security; he also swore that he would come together with us with his army by land and by sea; and that he would faithfully grant us a market by land and sea, and would diligently restore all our lost things, moreover that he would neither wish nor permit any of our pilgrims to be disturbed or saddened on the Way of the Holy Sepulcher.

Comes autem Sancti Egidii erat hospitatus extra ciuitatem in burgo, gensque sua remanserat retro. Mandauit itaque imperator comiti, ut faceret ei hominium et fiduciam sicut alii fecerant. Et dum imperator haec mandabat, comes meditabatur qualiter uindictam de imperatoris exercitu habere posset.

However, the Count of Saint Giles had been lodged outside the city in the burg, and his retinue had remained behind. Therefore the emperor sent word to the count to do him homage and fealty as the others had done. And while the emperor was giving these commands, the count was pondering how he might take vengeance upon the emperor’s army.

Sed dux Godefridus et Rotbertus comes Flandrensis aliique principes dixerunt ei, iniustum fore, contra Christianos pugnare. Vir quoque sapiens Boamundus dixit, quia si aliquid iniustum imperatori faceret, et fiduciam ei facere prohiberet, ipse ex imperatoris parte fieret. Igitur comes accepto consilio a suis, Alexio uitam et honorem iurauit, quod nec per se nec per alium ei auferre consentiat, cumque de hominio appellaretur, non se pro capitis periculo id facturum.

But Duke Godfrey and Robert, count of Flanders, and other princes said to him that it would be unjust to fight against Christians. The wise man Bohemond also said that if he should do anything unjust to the emperor and should forbid him to make fealty to him, he himself would become on the emperor’s side. Therefore the count, having taken counsel from his own men, swore to Alexius life and honor—that he would consent to their being taken from him neither by himself nor by another—and when it came to homage, he said that he would not do it, on peril of his head.

Tunc gens domni Boamundi appropinquauit Constantinopoli.

Then the people of lord Bohemond approached Constantinople.

[vii] Tancredus uero et Richardus de Principatu propter iusiurandum imperatoris latenter transfretauerunt Brachium, et fere omnis gens Boamundi iuxta illos. Et mox exercitus comitis Sancti Egidii appropinquauit Constantinopoli. Comes uero remansit ibi cum ipsa sua gente.

[7] But Tancred and Richard of the Principality, on account of the emperor’s oath, secretly crossed the Brachium, and almost the whole host of Bohemond along with them. And soon the army of the Count of Saint-Gilles drew near to Constantinople. But the Count remained there with his own people.

Boamundus itaque remansit cum imperatore, ut cum eo consilium acciperet, quomodo mandarent mercatum gentibus quae erant ultra Nicenam ciuitatem. Dux itaque Godefridus iuit prius Nicomediam simul cum Tancredo, et aliis omnibus, fueruntque ibi per tres dies. Videns uero dux quod nulla uia pateret per quam posset conducere has gentes usque Nicenam ciuitatem, quoniam per illam uiam per quam prius alii transierant non posset modo tanta gern transire, misit ante se tria milia hominum cum securibus et gladiis, qui incidissent et aperuissent hanc viam, quae patefacta fieret nostris peregrinis usque Nicenam urbem.

Bohemund therefore remained with the emperor, that he might take counsel with him as to how they should order a market for the peoples who were beyond the city of Nicaea. Duke Godfrey then went first to Nicomedia together with Tancred and all the others, and they were there for three days. But seeing that no road lay open by which he could lead these peoples as far as the city of Nicaea—since by that road by which others had previously passed, so great a multitude could not now pass—he sent before him three thousand men with axes and swords, to cut through and open up this way, which, once laid open, would be made available for our pilgrims as far as the city of Nicaea.

Quae uia fuit aperta per angustam et nimis immensam montanam, et faciebant retro per uiam cruces ferreas ac ligneas, quas ponebant super stipites ut eas nostri peregrini cognoscerent. Interea peruenimus ad Niceam, quae est caput totius Romaniae, in quarto die, II nonas Maii, ibique castrametati sumus. Priusquam autem Boamundus uenisset ad nos, tanta inopia panis fuit inter nos, ut unus panis uenderetur uiginti aut triginta denariis.

Which way was opened through a narrow and exceedingly vast mountain country, and they set up behind along the way iron and wooden crosses, which they placed upon posts so that our pilgrims might recognize them. Meanwhile we arrived at Nicaea, which is the head of all Romania, on the 4th day, on May 6, and there we pitched camp. But before Bohemond had come to us, so great a scarcity of bread was among us that one loaf was sold for 20 or 30 denarii.

Postquam uenit uir prudens Boamundus, iussit maximum mercatum conduci per mare, et pariter utrinque ueniebant, ille per terram et ille per mare, et fuit maxima ubertas in tota Christi militia.

After the prudent man Bohemond came, he ordered a very great market to be conducted by sea, and equally from both directions they were coming, this one by land and that one by sea, and there was the greatest abundance in the whole soldiery of Christ.

[viii] In die autem Ascensionis Domini coepimus urbem circumquaque inuadere, et aedificare instrumenta lignorum atque turres ligneas, quo possemus murales turres sternere. Tam fortiter et tam acriter aggredimur urbem per duos dies, ut etiam foderemus murum urbis. Turci quippe qui erant in urbe, miserunt nuntios aliis qui uenerant adiutorium ciuitati dare, in hunc modum, quo audacter secureque approximent, et per meridianam introeant portam, quoniam ex illa nemo eis erit obuiam nec contristabit.

[8] On the day of the Ascension of the Lord we began to invade the city on every side, and to build engines of wood and wooden towers, so that we might lay low the mural towers. So strongly and so sharply we assailed the city for two days that we even dug at the city wall. The Turks, in fact, who were in the city sent messengers to others who had come to give aid to the city, in this manner: that they should approach boldly and securely, and enter by the southern gate, since from that side no one would come to meet them nor molest them.

Quae porta ipsa die a comite sancti Egidii in die sabbati post Ascensionem Domini et episcopo Podiensi hospitata fuit. Qui comes, ueniens ex alia parte, protectus diuina uirtute ac terrenis fulgebat armis cum suo fortissimo exercitu. Hic itaque inuenit contra nos uenientes Turcos.

Which gate, on that very day—on the Saturday after the Ascension of the Lord—was hosted by the count of Saint-Giles and the bishop of Le Puy. This count, coming from another part, protected by divine virtue and shining with earthly arms, was with his very strong army. Here, therefore, he encountered Turks coming against us.

Qui undique signo crucis armatus, uehementer irruit super illos atque superauit. Dederuntque fugam, et fuit mortua maxima pars illorum. Qui rursus uenerunt auxilio aliorum gaudentes et exultantes ad certum bellum, trahentes secum funes, quibus nos ligatos ducerent Corosanum.

Who, on every side armed with the sign of the cross, vehemently rushed upon them and overcame them. And they gave flight, and the greatest part of them was dead. Who again came with the aid of others, rejoicing and exulting for a set battle, dragging along with them ropes, with which they might lead us, bound, to Corosanum.

Venientes autem letantes, coeperunt ex cacumine montis paulatim descendere. Quotquot descenderunt, illic cesis capitibus a manibus nostrorum remanserunt. Proiiciebant autem nostri capita occisorum funda in urbem, ut inde Turci magis terrerentur.

But coming rejoicing, they began gradually to descend from the summit of the mountain. However many descended, there they remained with their heads cut off by the hands of our men. Moreover, our men were casting the heads of the slain with a sling into the city, so that from there the Turks might be more terrified.

Denique comes sancti Egidii et episcopus Podiensis consiliati sunt in unum qualiter facerent subfodi quamdam turrim, quae erat ante tentoria eorum. Ordinati sunt homines qui hanc suffodiant, et arbalistae et sagittarii qui eos undique defendant. Foderunt namque illam usque ad radices muri, summiseruntque postes et ligna, ac deinde miserunt ignem.

Finally, the count of Saint-Gilles and the bishop of Le Puy took counsel together as one how they should go about undermining a certain tower which stood before their tents. Men were appointed to undermine it, and arbalesters and archers to defend them on every side. For they dug it down to the roots of the wall, and they placed posts and timbers beneath, and then they set fire to them.

Sero autem facto, cecidit turris iam in nocte, sed quia nox erat, non potuerunt preliari cum illis. Nocte uero illa surrexerunt festinanter Turci, et restaurauerunt murum tam fortiter, ut ueniente die nemo posset eos laedere ex illa parte.

But when it had grown late, the tower fell already in the night; but because it was night, they were not able to do battle with them. On that very night the Turks rose hastily and restored the wall so strongly that, with day coming, no one could harm them from that side.

Modo uenit comes de Nortmannia, et comes Stephanus, et alii plures, ac deinceps Rogerius de Barnauilla. Boamundus denique obsedit urbem in prima fronte, et iuxta eum Tancredus, et postea dux Godefridus, ac deinde comes Flandrensis, iuxta quem Rotbertus Nortmannus, et iuxta eum comes Sancti Egidii, iuxta quem Podiensis episcopus. Ita uero per terram fuit obsessa, ut nemo auderet exire neque intrare.

Just now there came the Count of Normandy, and Count Stephen, and many others, and thereafter Roger of Barneville. Bohemond then besieged the city in the front line, and next to him Tancred, and after that Duke Godfrey, and then the Count of Flanders, next to whom Robert the Norman, and next to him the Count of Saint-Gilles, next to whom the Bishop of Le Puy. Thus indeed it was besieged by land, so that no one dared to go out nor to enter.

Fueruntque ibi onmes congregati in unum. Et quis poterat numerare tantam Christi militiam? Nullus ut puto tot prudentissimos milites nec antea uidit nec ultra uidere poterit.

And there all were gathered into one. And who could number so great an army of Christ? No one, I think, has seen before, nor will be able to see hereafter, so many most prudent soldiers.

Erat autem ex una parte urbis immensus lacus, in quo Turci suas mittebant naues, et exibant et intrabant, et afferebant herbam, ligna et alia plura. Tunc nostri maiores, consiliati in unum, miserunt nuntios Constantinopolim dicturos imperatori, ut faceret naues conduci ad Ciuito, ubi portus est, atque iuberet congregari boues qui eas traherent per montanas et siluas, usque approximent lacui. Quod continuo factum fuit, suosque Turcopulos mandauit cum eis.

There was moreover on one side of the city a vast lake, into which the Turks sent their ships, and they went out and went in, and brought fodder, wood, and many other things. Then our leading men, having taken counsel together, sent messengers to Constantinople to say to the emperor that he should have ships conducted to Ciuito, where there is a port, and should order oxen to be gathered which would drag them through the mountains and woods, until they might approach the lake. Which was immediately done, and he sent his own Turcopoles with them.

Die uero quo naues fuerant conductae, noluerunt eas statim mittere in lacum; sed nocte superueniente miserunt eas in ipsum lacum, plenas Turcopolis, bene ornatis armis. Summo autem diluculo stabant naues optime ordinatae, per lacum properantes contra urbem. Videntes eas Turci mirabantur, ignorantes an esset eorum gens an imperatoris.

On the very day on which the ships had been chartered, they did not wish to send them straightway into the lake; but when night came on, they sent them into the lake itself, full of Turcopoles, well adorned with arms. At the very dawn the ships stood in excellent order, hurrying through the lake toward the city. Seeing them, the Turks marveled, not knowing whether they were their own people or the emperor’s.

Postquam autem cognouerunt esse gentem imperatoris, timuerunt usque ad mortem, plorantes et lamentantes; Francique gaudebant, et dabant gloriam Deo. Videntes autem Turci quod nullatenus ex suis exercitibus adiutorium habere possent, legationem mandauerunt imperatori, quia ciuitatem sponte redderent, si eos omnimodo abire perinitteret cum mulieribus et filiis et omnibus substantiis suis. Tunc imperator, plenus uana et iniqua cogitatione, iussit illos impunitos abire sine ullo timore, ac sibi eos Constantinopolim cum magna fiducia adduci.

After they had learned that it was the emperor’s people, they feared unto death, weeping and lamenting; and the Franks rejoiced and gave glory to God. But the Turks, seeing that by no means could they have help from their armies, sent a legation to the emperor, that they would surrender the city of their own accord, if he would by all means permit them to depart with their women and sons and all their substance. Then the emperor, full of vain and iniquitous thought, ordered them to depart unpunished without any fear, and to be brought to him to Constantinople with great confidence.

Quos studiose seruabat, ut illos ad Francorum nocumenta et obstacula paratos haberet.

whom he assiduously kept, so that he might have them ready for detriments and obstacles to the Franks.

Fuimusque in obsidione illa per septem ebdomadas et tres dies, et multi ex nostris illic receperunt martyrium, et letantes gaudentesque reddiderunt felices animas Deo; et ex pauperrima gente multi mortui sunt fame pro Christi nomine. Qui in caelum triumphantes portarunt stolam recepti martyrii, una uoce dicentes: ,Vindica Domine sanguinem nostrum, qui pro te effusus est; qui es benedictus et laudabilis in secula seculorum. Amen.'

And we were in that siege for seven weeks and three days, and many of our people there received martyrdom, and, rejoicing and exulting, they rendered their happy souls to God; and of the very poorest people many died of hunger for the name of Christ. These, triumphing, bore into heaven the stole of the martyrdom received, with one voice saying: ,Avenge, O Lord, our blood, which has been poured out for you; you who are blessed and laudable unto the ages of ages. Amen.'

Explicit liber II. Incipit liber III.

Explicit book 2. Incipit book 3.