Gesta Francorum: Liber VI

[xiiii] Turci denique, inimici Dei et sanctae christianitatis, qui erant intus in custodia ciuitatis Antiochiae, audientes dominum Boamundum et Flandrensem comitem in obsessione non esse, exierunt de ciuitate, et audacter ueniebant preliari nobiscum, insidiantes undique in qua parte obsidio esset languidior, scientes prudentissimos milites foris esse; inueneruntque quod in una martis die possent obsistere nobis et ledere. Venerunt uero iniquissimi barbari caute, et irruerunt uehementer super nos, et incautos occiderunt multos ex nostris militibus et peditibus. Episcopus quoque Podiensis in illa amara die perdidit suum senescalcum, conducentem et regentem eius uexillum.

[14] The Turks at length, enemies of God and of holy Christianity, who were inside in the garrison of the city of Antioch, hearing that lord Bohemond and the count of Flanders were not in the siege, went out from the city, and boldly came to do battle with us, laying ambushes on all sides in whatever part the siege was more languid, knowing that the most prudent soldiers were outside; and they found that on one Tuesday they could withstand us and harm us. But the most iniquitous barbarians came cautiously, and rushed vehemently upon us, and, when we were off our guard, slew many of our knights and foot-soldiers. The Bishop of Puy also on that bitter day lost his seneschal, who was conducting and directing his standard.

Et nisi esset flumen quod erat inter nos et illos, sepius inuasissent nos, atque maximam lesionem fecissent in nostram gentem.

And unless there had been a river which was between us and them, they would have invaded us more often, and would have inflicted the greatest lesion upon our people.

Egrediebatur tunc uir prudens Boamundus cum suo exercitu de terra Saracenorum, uenitque in Tancredi montanam, cogitans an forte ibi ualeret inuenire aliquid quod potuisset deferri. Nam totam terram in expendio miserant; alii quippe inuenerant, alii uero uacui redierant. Tunc uir sapiens Boamundus increpauit eos dicens: "O infelix et miserrima gens, O uilissima omnium Christianorum, cur tam celeriter uultis abire?

He was going out then, the prudent man Bohemond, with his army from the land of the Saracens, and he came into Tancred’s mountain-region, thinking whether perchance there he might be able to find something which could be carried off. For they had sent the whole land into exaction; some indeed had found, but others had returned empty. Then the wise man Bohemond rebuked them, saying: "O unhappy and most miserable people, O vilest of all Christians, why do you wish to depart so swiftly?

Sinite modo sinite, usquequo erimus congregati in unum, et nolite errare sicut oues non habentes pastorem. Si autem inimici nostri inuenerint uos errantes, occident uos, quia die noctuque uigilant, ut uos siue ductore segregatos sine solos inueniant, uosque cotidie occidere et in captiuitatem ducere laborant." Cumque finis esset dictis, rediit ad suam hostem, cum suis plus uacuis quam honustis.

"Only wait, wait, until we are congregated into one, and do not wander like sheep not having a shepherd. But if our enemies find you erring, they will slay you, because day and night they are vigilant, in order that they may find you either segregated from the leader or alone, and they labor daily to kill you and to lead you into captivity." And when there was an end to the words, he returned to his host, with his men more empty than burdened.

Videntes autem Hermenii et Surani quod nostri penitus uacui rediissent, consiliati in unum abibant per montaneas et prescita loca, subtiliter inquirentes et ementes frumentum et corporea alimenta, quae ad hostem deferebant in qua erat fames immensa; et uendebant onus unius asini octo purpuratis, qui appreciabantur centum uiginti solidis denariorum. Ibi quidem sunt mortui multi ex nostris, non habentes pretium unde tam carum emere potuissent.

But seeing that our men had returned utterly empty-handed, the Armenians and Syrians, having taken counsel together, went off through the mountainous regions and the fore-known places, shrewdly searching out and buying grain and bodily victuals, which they carried to the host in which there was immense famine; and they were selling the load of a single donkey for eight purpurati, which were appraised at 120 solidi of denarii. There indeed many of our men died, not having the price with which they could have bought so costly a thing.

[xv] Willelmus igitur Carpentarius et Petrus Heremita, pro immensa infelicitate ac miseria ipsa, latenter recesserunt. Quos Tancredus persequens apprehendit, secumque reduxit cum dedecore; qui dextram et fidem illi dederunt, quia libenter ad hostem redirent et satisfactionem senioribus facerent. Tota denique nocte Willelmus uti mala res in tentorio domini Boamundi iacuit.

[15] William therefore the Carpenter and Peter the Hermit, on account of the immense infelicity and the misery itself, secretly withdrew. Whom Tancred, pursuing, apprehended, and he brought them back with disgrace; who gave him the right hand and faith, that they would gladly return to the enemy and make satisfaction to their seniors (lords). All that night, finally, William lay as a bad thing in the tent of Lord Bohemond.

Crastina uero die summo diluculo, ueniens erubescendo ante Boamundi presentiam stetit. Quem alloquens Boamundus dixit: "O infelix et infamia totius Franciae, dedecus et scelus Galliarum, O nequissime omnium quos terra suffert, cur tam turpiter fugisti? Forsitan ob hoc quod uoluisti tradere hos milites et hostem Christi, sicut tradidisti alios in Hispania." qui omnino tacuit, et nullus sermo ex eius ore processit.

On the next day indeed, at the very first dawn, coming, blushing, he stood before the presence of Boamundus. Addressing him, Boamundus said: "O unlucky one and the infamy of all France, the disgrace and crime of the Gauls, O most wicked of all whom the earth bears, why did you flee so shamefully? Perhaps on account of this—that you wished to betray these soldiers to the enemy of Christ, just as you betrayed others in Spain." He was altogether silent, and no word proceeded from his mouth.

Adunauerunt sese omnes fere Francigenae, rogaueruntque humiliter ne deterius ei facere permitteret. Annuit ille sereno uultu, et ait: "Hoc pro uestri amore libenter consentiam, si mihi toto corde et mente inrauerit quod nunquam recedet ab Hierosolimitano itinere siue bono siue malo; et Tancredus neque per se neque per suos aliquid contrarii ei consentiet fieri." Qui auditis his uerbis uoluntarie concessit. Ipse uero protinus dimisit eum.

Nearly all the Frank-born gathered themselves together, and begged humbly that he would not permit anything worse to be done to him. He assented with a serene countenance, and said: "This, for the love of you, I will gladly consent to, if he shall have sworn to me with all his heart and mind that he will never depart from the Jerusalem journey, whether in good or in ill; and that Tancred, neither by himself nor through his men, will consent that anything contrary be done to him." He, on hearing these words, voluntarily conceded. He himself straightway released him.

Postmodum uero Carpentarius maxima captus turpitudine, non diu morans furtim recessit.

Afterwards, however, the Carpenter, seized by the greatest shame, not lingering long, slipped away secretly.

Hanc paupertatem et miseriam pro nostris delictis concessit nos habere Deus. In tota namque hoste non ualebat aliquis inuenire mille milites, qui equos haberent optimos.

This poverty and misery God has granted us to have for our sins. For in the whole host no one was able to find a thousand soldiers who had the best horses.

[xvi] Interea inimicus Tetigus audiens quod exercitus Turcorum uenissent super nos, ait se timuisse, arbitransque nos omnes perisse atque in manibus inimicorum incidisse, fingens omnia falsa, dixit: "Seniores et uiri prudentissimi, uidete quia nos sumus hic in maxima necessitate, et ex nulla parte nobis adiutorium succedit. Ecce modo sinite me in Romaniae patriam reuerti, et ego absque ulla dubitatione faciam huc multas naues uenire per mare, onustas frumento, uino, hordeo, carne, farina et caseis, omnibusque bonis quae sunt nobis necessaria. Faciam et equos conduci ad uendendum, et mercatum per terram in fidelitate imperatoris huc aduenire faciam.

[16] Meanwhile the enemy Tetigus, hearing that the army of the Turks had come upon us, said that he had been afraid, and, supposing that we had all perished and had fallen into the hands of the enemies, fabricating every falsehood, said: "Elders and most prudent men, see that we are here in the greatest necessity, and from no quarter does aid succeed to us. Behold, now allow me to return to the homeland of Romania, and I, without any doubt, will cause many ships to come hither by sea, laden with grain, wine, barley, meat, flour, and cheeses, and with all the goods which are necessary for us. I will also have horses brought for sale, and I will cause a market by land to come hither in the fidelity of the emperor."

Ecce haec omnia uobis fideliter iurabo, et attendam. Adhuc quoque et domestici mei et papilio meus sunt in campo, unde et firmiter credite, quia quantocius redibo."

Behold, I will faithfully swear to you all these things, and I will observe them. Moreover also both my domestics and my pavilion are in the field, whence also believe firmly that I will return as soon as possible."

Sic itaque fecit finem dictis. Fuit ille inimicus, omnia sua dimisit in campo, et in periurio manet et manebit. Itaque tali modo inerat nobis maxima necessitas, quia Turci undique prestringebant nos, ita ut nullus nostrorum auderet iam exire extra tentoria.

Thus therefore he made an end to his words. He was an enemy; he left all his belongings in the field, and he remains and will remain in perjury. And so in such a manner the greatest necessity was upon us, because the Turks were hemming us in on every side, so that none of ours now dared to go out beyond the tents.

Nam illi constringebant nos ex una parte, et fames cruciabat ex alia. Succursus uero et adiutorium nobis deerat; gens minuta et pauperrima fugiebat Cyprum, Romaniam, et in montaneas. Ad mare utique non audebamus ire propter timorem pessimorum Turcorum; nusquam erat nobis uia patefacta.

For they were constricting us on one side, and hunger was cruciating us on the other. Succor indeed and aid were lacking for us; the small and most poverty-stricken people were fleeing to Cyprus, Romania, and into the mountains. To the sea, to be sure, we did not dare to go on account of fear of the worst Turks; nowhere was a way laid open for us.

[xvii] Itaque audiens dominus Boamundus innumerabilem gentem Turcorum uenientem super nos, caute uenit ad alios, dicens: "Seniores et prudentissimi milites, quid facturi erimus? Nos namque tanti non sumus, ut in duabus partibus pugnare ualeamus. Sed scitis quid faciemus?

[17] And so, hearing that an innumerable nation of Turks was coming upon us, lord Boamund cautiously came to the others, saying: "Elders and most prudent soldiers, what are we going to do? For we are not sufficient that we should be able to fight on two fronts. But do you know what we shall do?

Faciamus ex nobis duas partes. Pars peditum remaneat iugiter custodire papiliones, et quibit nimis obsistere his qui in ciuitate sunt. Alia uero pars militum nobiscum ueniat obuiam inimicis nostris, qui hic hospitati sunt prope nos, in castello Areg ultra pontem Farreum."

"Let us make of ourselves two parts. The part of the infantry shall remain continually to guard the pavilions, and will be very able to withstand those who are in the city. But the other part of the soldiers shall come with us to meet our enemies, who are quartered here near us, in the castle Areg beyond the Farrean Bridge."

Sero autem facto, exiit e tentoriis uir prudens Boamundus cum aliis prudentissimis militibus, iuitque iacere inter flumen et lacum. Summo diluculo iussit protinus exploratores exire, et uidere quot sunt Turcorum turmae, et ubi sint, aut certe quid agant. Exierunt illi, coeperuntque subtiliter inquirere, ubi essent acies Turcorum reconditae.

However, when it had become late, the prudent man Bohemond went out from the tents with the other most prudent soldiers, and went to lie between the river and the lake. At first light he forthwith ordered explorers to go out and see how many the Turks’ troops were, and where they were, or at least what they were doing. They went out, and began carefully to inquire where the battle-lines of the Turks were hidden.

Viderunt tandem Turcos innumerabiles segregatos uenire ex parte fluminis diuisos per duas acies; maxima uero uirtus illorum ueniebat retro. Reuersi sunt namque celeriter speculatores, dicentes: "Ecce, ecce ueniunt! Igitur estote omnes parati, quia iam prope nos sunt." Dixitque uir sapiens Boamundus aliis: "Seniores et inuictissimi milites, ordinate adinuicem bellum." Responderuntque illi: "Tu sapiens et prudens, tu magnus et magnificus, tu fortis et uictor, tu bellorum arbiter et certaminum iudex, hoc totum fac; hoc totum super te sit.

They saw at last the Turks innumerable, coming separated from the side of the river, divided into two battle-lines; but their greatest valor was coming in the rear. For the scouts quickly returned, saying: "Behold, behold, they are coming! Therefore be you all prepared, for now they are near us." And the wise man Bohemond said to the others: "Elders and most unconquered soldiers, array the battle among yourselves." And they answered: "You, wise and prudent, you great and magnificent, you strong and victor, you arbiter of wars and judge of contests, do all this; let all this rest upon you."

Omne bonum quod tibi uidetur, nobis et tibi operare et fac." Tunc Boamundus iussit, ut unusquisque principum per se dirigeret aciem suam ordinatim. Feceruntque ita; et ordinatae sunt sex acies. Quinque uero ex eis ierunt adunatim inuadere illos.

"Work and do every good thing that seems good to you, for us and for yourself." Then Bohemond ordered that each of the princes should by himself direct his own battle-line in orderly fashion. And they did so; and six battle-lines were arrayed. But five of them went in union to invade them.

Boamundus itaque paulatim gradiebatur retro cum sua acie. Iunctis igitur prospere nostris, unus comminus percutiebat alium. Clamor uero resonabat ad celum.

Bohemond therefore was little by little moving back with his battle-line. With our men thus successfully joined, one struck another at close quarters. And the clamor resounded to heaven.

Omnes preliabantur insimul. Imbres telorum obnubilabant aerem. Postquam uenit maxima uirtus illorum quae erat retro, acriter inuasit nostros, ita ut nostri paululum iam cederent retro.

All were fighting together. Showers of missiles were clouding the air. After the greatest might of them, which was in the rear, came up, it fiercely invaded our men, so that our men were already ceding a little to the rear.

Quod ut uidit uir doctissimus Boamundus, ingemuit. Tunc precepit suo conostabili scilicet Rotberto filio Girardi, dicens: "Vade quam citius potes ut uir fortis, et esto acer in adiutorium Dei Sanctique Sepulchri. Et reuera scias quia hoc bellum carnale non est sed spirituale.

When the most learned man Boamundus saw this, he groaned. Then he commanded his constable, namely Robert, son of Gerard, saying: "Go as swiftly as you can as a brave man, and be fierce in aid of God and of the Holy Sepulchre. And in truth know that this war is not carnal but spiritual."

Esto igitur fortissimus athleta Christi. Vade in pace; Dominus sit tecum ubique." Fuit itaque ille, undique signo crucis munitus, qualiter leo perpessus famem per tres aut quatuor dies, qui exiens a suis cauernis, rugiens ac sitiens sanguinem pecudum sicut improuide ruit inter agmina gregum, dilanians oues fugientes huc et illuc; ita agebat iste inter agmina Turcorum. Tam uehementer instabat illis, ut linguae uexilli uolitarent super Turcorum capita.

“Therefore be the very bravest athlete of Christ. Go in peace; may the Lord be with you everywhere.” He then, on all sides fortified by the sign of the cross, like a lion that has endured hunger for three or four days, who, coming out from his caverns, roaring and thirsting for the blood of beasts, rashly rushes into the ranks of the flocks, lacerating the sheep fleeing here and there—so did this man act among the ranks of the Turks. So vehemently did he press upon them that the tongues of the standard were fluttering above the heads of the Turks.

Videntes autem aliae acies quod uexillum Boamundi tam honeste esset ante alios delatum, ilico redierunt retrorsum, nostrique unanimiter inuaserunt Turcos; qui omnes stupefacti arripuerunt fugam. Nostri itaque persecuti sunt illos et detruncauerunt usque ad pontem Farreum. Reuersi sunt autem Turci festinanter in castrum suum, acceperuntque omnia quae ibi reperire potuerunt, totumque castrum spoliauerunt, miseruntque ignem et fugerunt.

Seeing, moreover, the other battle-lines that Bohemond’s banner had been borne so honorably before the others, they immediately turned back, and our men unanimously assailed the Turks; who all, astonished, took to flight. Our men therefore pursued them and cut them down as far as the Farreus Bridge. The Turks, however, hastily returned into their camp, and took everything they were able to find there, and they despoiled the whole camp, and they set it on fire and fled.

Hermenii et Surani scientes Turcos omnino perdidisse bellum, exierunt et excubauerunt per arta loca, et occiderunt et apprehenderunt multos ex eis.

The Armenians and Syrians, knowing that the Turks had utterly lost the battle, went out and kept watch—lying in wait—through the narrow places, and killed and apprehended many of them.

Superati sunt itaque, Deo annuente, in illo die inimici nostri. Satis uero recuperati sunt nostri de equis et de aliis multis quae erant illis ualde necessaria. Et centum capita mortuorum detulerunt ante portam ciuitatis, ubi legati ammirati Babyloniae castrametati fuerant, qui mittebantur senioribus.

Thus, with God assenting, on that day our enemies were overcome. And our men recovered sufficiently of horses and of many other things which were very necessary to them. And they carried a hundred heads of the dead before the gate of the city, where the envoys of the amir of Babylon had encamped, who were being sent to the elders.

Illi qui remanserant in tentoriis, tota die preliati sunt cum illis qui erant in ciuitate, ante tres portas ciuitatis. Factum est hoc bellum in die martis ante caput ieiunii, quinto idus Februarii, fauente domino nostro Iesu Christo, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto uiuit et regnat Deus, per immortalia secula seculorum, Amen.

Those who had remained in the tents fought the whole day with those who were in the city, before three gates of the city. This battle was done on Tuesday before the head of the fast, on the 9th of February, with our Lord Jesus Christ favoring, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns God, through the immortal ages of ages, Amen.

[Explicit liber VI. Incipit liber VII.]

[Explicit Book 6. Incipit Book 7.]