William of Tyre: HISTORIA RERUM IN PARTIBUS TRANSMARINIS GESTARUM

CAPUT PRIMUM. Descriptio urbis Nicaenae, et ejus praerogativae; quod Solimannus, qui in ea dominabatur, ex universo Oriente Turcorum ingentes contra nostros collegerat copias, latens insidiis, ut nostros irrueret.

CHAPTER 1. Description of the city of Nicaea, and its prerogative; that Soliman, who exercised dominion in it, had gathered from the entire Orient enormous forces of Turks against our men, lurking in ambush so that he might rush upon our men.

Est autem Nicaea una de urbibus Bithyniae, quae ad Nicomediam ejusdem regionis metropolim, more suffraganearum urbium prius habuit respectum; postea vero a domino Constantino Augusto seniore a jurisdictione illius emancipata est, ob reverentiam sanctae synodi primae, quae in ea convenit. In hac enim, temporibus domini Sylvestri papae, et viri venerabilis Alexandri Constantinopoli patriarchae, et praedicti Constantini Augusti sancta synodus trecentorum decem et octo Patrum adversus impietates Arii, et sequacium suorum congregata est. Quae eorum pernicioso languore damnato, et sanctorum testimoniis veritate declarata universae Ecclesiae Dei, fidei formam intemeratam praebuit.

Now Nicaea is one of the cities of Bithynia, which, after the manner of suffragan cities, formerly had regard to Nicomedia, the metropolis of the same region; but afterwards by lord Constantine, the elder Augustus, it was emancipated from its jurisdiction, out of reverence for the first holy synod which met in it. For in this city, in the times of lord Pope Sylvester, and of the venerable man Alexander, patriarch at Constantinople, and of the aforesaid Constantine Augustus, a holy synod of three hundred and eighteen Fathers was assembled against the impieties of Arius and his followers. Which, their pernicious malady being condemned, and the truth declared by the testimonies of the saints, offered to the universal Church of God an unsullied form of faith.

In hac eadem postmodum, tempore domini Constantini Augusti piissimi Irenae filii, iterum convenit septima synodus generalis adversus Iconomachos, id est impugnatores sanctarum imaginum, sub domino Adriano Romano pontifice, et viro venerabili Tharasio Constantinopolitano patriarcha: in qua praedicti haeretici dignam pro meritis ab orthodoxa Ecclesia, contra suam perfidiam, damnationis tulerunt sententiam. Est autem civitas situm habens commodissimum, in planitie constituta; non longe tamen a montibus, quos pene ex omni parte habet in circuitu, agrum optimum, glebam uberem, silvarumque et nemorum nihilominus multas habens commoditates. Sed et lacus multae latitudinis et longitudinis maximae, juxta praedictam urbem positus, in occidentalem porrigitur plagam, per quem navigio ex diversis partibus, civitati maximum praestans munimen, ipsis moenibus, ventis intumescens, illiditur.

In this same city afterward, in the time of lord Constantine Augustus, the most pious son of Irene, the seventh general synod met again against the Iconomachs, that is, assailants of holy images, under lord Adrian, Roman pontiff, and the venerable man Tarasius, patriarch of Constantinople: in which the aforesaid heretics, against their own perfidy, bore from the orthodox Church a sentence of condemnation worthy of their deserts. Moreover, the city has a most commodious situation, being set in a plain; yet not far from mountains, which it has almost on every side in a circuit, with excellent farmland, a fertile glebe, and likewise many advantages of woods and groves. But also a lake of much breadth and of very great length, placed next to the aforesaid city, stretches out toward the western quarter, by means of which, by ship from diverse parts—affording the city the greatest bulwark—it, swelling with the winds, is dashed against the walls themselves.

Ex reliquis autem partibus circa murum vallum erat in circuitu, ex influxione fontium et rivulorum restagnans: quod plurimum accedere volentibus ad urbem impugnandi causa, ministrare poterat impedimentum. Erat autem praeterea bellicoso referta populo, muris et turribus sublimibus et valde densis opere solido compactis, insignis admodum et munita, ita ut accedentes nostri et urbis mirarentur munimen, et operis soliditatem. Hujus urbis, sicut et regionis totius, et adjacentium simul provinciarum dominus erat quidam Turcorum potentissimus satrapa, Solimannus nomine, cognomento Schah, quod Persarum lingua rex interpretatur, homo vafer et strenuus.

From the remaining sides, moreover, around the wall there was an encircling moat, ponding from the inflow of springs and rivulets: which could furnish a very great impediment to those wishing to approach the city for the sake of assaulting it. Further, it was filled with a warlike people, with lofty and very closely set walls and towers, compacted by solid workmanship, very notable and well-fortified, so that, as our men approached, they marveled both at the city’s defense and at the solidity of the work. The lord of this city, as also of the whole region and of the adjacent provinces together, was a certain most powerful satrap of the Turks, by the name Soliman, by cognomen Shah, which in the Persian tongue is interpreted king, a crafty and strenuous man.

Qui, audito nostrorum adventu, et super hoc valde sollicitus, multo ante in Orientem descenderat, ab illarum regionum principibus, contra fidelium advenientes copias, imploraturus auxilium. Effeceratque persuasionibus et multa precum instantia, nec non et stipendiorum interventu, quod infinitas tum ex Perside, tum ex adjacentibus provinciis secum adduxerat Turcorum copias; sperans quod eorum fretus auxilio, ab imminentibus periculis urbem praedictam et regionem universam posset eripere. Has tamen universas provincias (quae a praedicto Hellesponto usque in Syriam itinere triginta dierum, et a nostro mari Mediterraneo usque in septentrionem totidem dierum itinere protenduntur), modico ante tempore praedicti Solimanni patruus, Belfetofh nomine, maximus Persarum soldanus tempore Romani, qui cognominatus est Diogenes, imperatoris Constantinopolitani; qui ante hunc Alexium fuerat tertius, occupaverat violenter, et easdem praedicto ex plurima parte tradiderat Solimanno.

He, having heard of the advent of our men and being greatly solicitous about this, had long before descended into the Orient, to implore aid from the princes of those regions against the arriving forces of the faithful. And by persuasions and the urgent importunity of prayers, as well as by the intervention of stipends, he had brought with him countless Turkish forces, both from Persia and from the adjacent provinces; hoping that, relying on their assistance, he might be able to rescue the aforesaid city and the whole region from the imminent perils. Yet all these provinces (which stretch from the aforesaid Hellespont as far as Syria by a journey of 30 days, and from our Mediterranean Sea up to the north by a journey of as many days), a short time before, the paternal uncle of the aforesaid Solimannus, named Belfetofh, the greatest sultan of the Persians in the time of Romanus, who was surnamed Diogenes, emperor of Constantinople—who, before this Alexius, had been the third—had violently seized, and had for the most part handed over the same to the aforesaid Solimannus.

Possidebat ergo, et jure proprietatis vindicabat sibi universas provincias a Tarso Ciliciae usque ad Hellespontum; ita ut e conspectu Constantinopolitanae civitatis procuratores suos haberet, qui consuetudines a transeuntibus exigerent, tributa et vectigalia regionis universae ad utilitatem domini sui colligentes. Ipse autem cum ea, quam tanto labore collegerat, multitudine, in montibus vicinis, vix a nostro exercitu decem distans milliaribus, opportunitatem quaerebat quomodo super nostros cum suorum salute posset irruere, et urbem ab eorum inquietudine liberare.

He therefore possessed, and by right of property vindicated to himself, all the provinces from Tarsus of Cilicia up to the Hellespont; so that, within sight of the Constantinopolitan city, he had his procurators, who exacted customs from those passing through, collecting the tributes and revenues of the whole region for the utility of their lord. He himself, with the multitude which he had gathered with such labor, in the neighboring mountains, scarcely ten miles distant from our army, was seeking an opportunity how he might rush upon our men with the safety of his own, and free the city from their disturbance.

CAPUT II. Nostri urbem acrius impugnant: cives tamen per lacum liberum habent discursum. Solimannus consolatoriam civibus mittit epistolam.

CHAPTER 2. Our men assault the city more sharply: yet the citizens have free run across the lake. Solimannus sends a consolatory epistle to the citizens.

Pervenientes igitur ante praedictam urbem nostri exercitus, acrius eam impugnare, confusis tamen agminibus, necdum castris certo ordine dispositis, coeperunt. Tamen qui praesentes erant, loca sibi certa deputantes, et his qui venturi erant, congrua designantes, ad id specialiter omnimodam dabant operam, ut civibus introitum negarent et exitum. Lacus tamen, qui civitati, ut praediximus, erat conjunctus, huic eorum nimis obstabat proposito.

Therefore, upon arriving before the aforesaid city, our army began to attack it more fiercely, though the columns were in confusion and the camp was not yet arranged in fixed order. Nevertheless, those who were present, assigning fixed places for themselves and designating suitable ones for those who were to come, gave every effort specifically to this: to deny the citizens ingress and egress. However, the lake, which, as we have said, was joined to the city, stood greatly in the way of this plan of theirs.

Nam et invecti et egredientes, paratis navigiis, pro libero arbitrio ad partes varias indemnes ferebantur. Nostri autem cum navium prorsus nullam haberent copiam, eorum discursus minime poterant impedire. Tamen id omnimodis procurabant, ne terrestri ad eos accederetur itinere, vias et introitus cum omni sollicitudine observantes.

For both those being brought in and those going out, with boats prepared, were borne unharmed to various parts at their free choice. Our men, however, since they had absolutely no supply of ships, were by no means able to impede their comings and goings. Nevertheless, they procured by every means that there should be no approach to them by a terrestrial route, watching the roads and entrances with all solicitude.

Factum est autem quod praedictus Solimannus, intelligens urbem suam obsidione molestari, ut cives consolaretur, et ad resistendum plenius animaret, mittens duos de familiaribus suis, qui ad urbem per lacum navigio descenderent, verba consolatoria per eosdem civibus dirigit in hunc modum: Adventum in hujus felicis barbari populi, qui circa urbem nostram obsidionem locare praesumpsit, non est opus ut multum formidetis. Nos enim cum ingenti fortium et nobilium virorum comitatu in vicino sumus constituti, majores adhuc quae nos subsequuntur, exspectantes copias: eritque in proximo, ut collectis in unum viribus, in eorum castra repente irruamus. Unde et vos quoque estote parati, ut nobis exterius irruentibus, vos etiam reseratis aditibus egredientes instetis unanimiter, nobis opem collaturi.

It came to pass, moreover, that the aforesaid Soliman, understanding that his city was being molested by a siege, in order to console the citizens and to animate them more fully to resist, sent two of his familiars to descend to the city over the lake by vessel, and through these same he directed consolatory words to the citizens in this manner: As for the advent of this fortunate barbarian people, who has presumed to plant a siege around our city, there is no need for you to be greatly afraid. For we are established nearby with an immense retinue of brave and noble men, awaiting still greater forces which are following us; and it will be shortly, that, our forces gathered into one, we may suddenly rush upon their camp. Wherefore you also be ready, so that, as we charge from without, you too, unbarring the approaches and going out, may press them hard with one accord, to bring us aid.

Sed neque eorum suspectam vos oportet habere multitudinem, de remotis enim partibus, et a solis occasu descendentes, longi diuturnitate itineris, et laborum impendio fatigati, neque equos habent, qui belli pondus sustinere valeant; nec ipsi nobis qui recentes venimus, viribus et conatu pares poterunt reperiri. Et vos ipsi tenetis memoriter, quam facile de ingenti eorum triumphaverimus multitudine, una die plusquam quinquaginta ex eis millia exterminio mandantes. Confortamini igitur, et nolite timere; cras enim ante horam diei septimam, plenam recipietis consolationem, ab hostibus expediti.

But neither ought you to hold their multitude in suspicion; for, coming down from remote parts and from the setting of the sun, wearied by the long duration of the journey and the expenditure of labors, they have not horses that can sustain the weight of war; nor will they themselves be able to be found equal to us—who have come fresh—in strength and endeavor. And you yourselves hold in memory how easily we have triumphed over their enormous multitude, in one day consigning more than fifty thousand of them to extermination. Be strengthened, therefore, and do not fear; for tomorrow, before the seventh hour of the day, you will receive full consolation, delivered from the enemies.

CAPUT III. Capitur epistolae bajulus, et universa principibus hostium reserat secreta. Comes Tolosanus (qui solus aberat) velox accedit, a principibus reliquis citatus.

CHAPTER 3. The bearer of the epistle is captured, and he discloses all the enemies’ secrets to the princes. The Count of Toulouse (who alone was absent) swiftly comes up, summoned by the remaining princes.

Igitur qui missi fuerant, quaerentes unde commodius enavigare possent, secus ripam applicuerunt. Dumque lustrantes quaerunt aptiorem introitum, alter, nostris in eos irruentibus, subito captus est; alter in tumultu gladio confossus interiit. Qui vero captus est, incolumis ante principes deductus, minis et terroribus ad confessionem perductus est, ut plane cuncta edissereret: cujus gratia, et a quo missus advenisset.

Therefore those who had been sent, seeking whence they might more conveniently sail out, put in beside the bank. And while, scouting, they seek a more suitable entrance, the one, as our men rushed upon them, was suddenly captured; the other, in the tumult, run through with a sword, perished. But he who was captured, unharmed, was led before the princes, and by threats and terrors was brought to a confession, so that he clearly set forth everything: for whose sake, and by whom sent, he had come.

Constitit autem ejus relatione, quod Solimannus eos ad denuntiandum civibus ejus adventum direxerat; quodque in vicino constitutus, ingentes convocaverat copias, die altera in castra nostra clam irruiturus. Compertum igitur habentes nostrarum legionum capitanei, quod praedictus Solimannus maturaret accedere, praedictum hominem praecipiunt custodiae mancipari: et missis cursoribus, dominum comitem Tolosanum et episcopum Podiensem, qui nondum ad eos pervenerant, quantocius monent properare. Illi vero suscepta fratrum legatione, sollicitudine non pigri, omnem arguentes moram, et tota nocte insistentes itineri, valde mane ante solis exortum, cum ingenti multitudine erectis vexillis, in armorum fulgore et maximo strepitu castris se intulerunt.

It was established, however, by his report that Solimannus had directed them to denounce/announce to his citizens his coming; and that, being stationed nearby, he had convened vast forces, about to rush secretly into our camp on the next day. Therefore the captains of our legions, having learned that the aforesaid Solimannus was hastening to approach, command that the aforesaid man be consigned to custody; and, couriers having been sent, they warn their lord, the Count of Toulouse, and the Bishop of Puy, who had not yet come to them, to hasten as quickly as possible. But they, having received the embassy of the brethren, not slothful in solicitude, arraigning every delay, and pressing on the journey through the whole night, very early before the rising of the sun, with a huge multitude, standards raised, in the gleam of arms and with the greatest din, entered the camp.

Vixque sarcinas deposuerant, ut cum aliis in loco sibi deputato se collocarent; cum ecce circa horam tertiam, sicut ille qui in vinculis detinebatur, praedixerat, praedictus Solimannus cum ingentibus equitum copiis, qui ad quinquaginta millia aestimabantur, de montibus descendens, ad plana se contulerat, ad urbem accessurus. Quod nostri videntes, protinus ad arma convolant, monentibus lituis; et clangore cornicinum cohortes excitant, instruunt agmina, instaurant acies; et observata rei militaris plenius disciplina, cujus experientiam habebant omnimodam, et usum familiarem, nihil de contingentibus omittentes, ad occurrendum hostibus se accingunt,

And scarcely had they deposited their baggage, so that they might, with the others, place themselves in the site deputed to them; when behold, around the third hour, just as he who was held in chains had foretold, the aforesaid Solimannus, with huge forces of horsemen, which were estimated at up to fifty thousand, descending from the mountains, had betaken himself to the plains, about to approach the city. Which our men seeing, straightway they flock to arms, the litui giving the warning; and with the clangor of the horn-blowers they rouse the cohorts, they draw up the columns, they restore the battle-lines; and, the discipline of the military art being more fully observed, of which they had all manner of experience and a familiar use, omitting nothing of the requisites, they gird themselves to go meet the enemies,

CAPUT IV. Solimannus de montibus descendens, in castra violentus irruit; sternitur ejus exercitus; signa victoriae ad imperatorem diriguntur; ille principes remunerat.

CHAPTER 4. Solimannus, descending from the mountains, violently rushes upon the camp; his army is laid low; the standards of victory are dispatched to the emperor; he remunerates the princes.

Solimannus igitur praemissa quadam acie, in qua erant equitum decem millia, ad portam properabat Meridianam, quae domino comiti Tolosano ad custodiam erat deputata. Ignarus enim de adventu ejusdem comitis, sicut heri et nudius tertius eam arbitrabatur reperire posse vacantem; sed opinione frustratus, ibi pene majores quam alibi reperit copias. Horum tamen ignarus omnium, ad locum praedictum festinans, cum multo impetu in domini comitis irruit legiones, quae adhuc vix sarcinas deposuerant.

Therefore Solimannus, a certain battle-line having been sent ahead, in which there were ten thousand horsemen, was hastening to the Southern gate, which had been assigned to the lord Count of Toulouse for guard. For, unaware of the arrival of that same count, he supposed, as yesterday and the day before yesterday, that he could find it vacant; but, frustrated in his opinion, there he found forces nearly greater than elsewhere. Nevertheless, ignorant of all these things, hurrying to the aforesaid place, with great impetus he rushed upon the legions of the lord count, who had scarcely yet laid down their baggage.

A quibus exceptus mirabiliter, confractis conatibus, et priore penitus acie dissoluta, jam in fugam versi erant: cum ecce Solimannus cum majoribus subsequens copiis, eis refundens animos, qui jam erant dissoluti, secum iterum in nostros redire compulit. At vero dux, dominus quoque Boamundus, et comes Flandrensis, cum suis expeditionibus ad unguem armati, videntes hostium majores advenisse cuneos et turmas densiores, praeque gravi multitudine et animosa instantia, comitis exercitum supra vires fatigari, irruunt unanimiter; et hostium se inferunt legionibus, gladiis et lanceis cominus instantes. Cumque hostes quasi per unius horae spatium resistendi vires et animum viderentur habuisse, interfectis ex eis quasi ad quatuor millia, et captivatis nonnullis, in fugam versi sunt.

Having been met by them in marvelous fashion, with his attempts broken and his former battle-line utterly dissolved, they had already been turned to flight; when behold, Soliman, following with larger forces, restoring spirit to those who were already disordered, compelled them with him again to turn back upon our men. But the duke, and Lord Bohemond as well, and the Count of Flanders, with their expeditions armed to the fingernail, seeing that greater wedges and denser squadrons of the enemy had arrived, and that, by reason of the heavy multitude and spirited urgency, the count’s army was being worn out beyond its powers, rush in with one mind; and they throw themselves upon the enemy legions, pressing at close quarters with swords and lances. And when the enemy seemed to have had strength and courage for resisting for about the space of one hour, with about 4,000 of them slain and several taken captive, they were turned to flight.

Nostri vero hac prima victoria, opitulante Domino, potiti, obsidionem continuant, castris per gyrum sine intervallo dispositis. Ab ea ergo die neque praedictus Solimannus, neque infidelium principum aliquis, simile aliquid ausus fuit attentare, quandiu in obsidione perstiterunt. Optime porro in eo conflictu se habuerunt praedicti principes; sed et dominus Tancredus, Galterus quoque de Garlanda, Francorum regis dapifer, Guido etiam de Porsessa, et Rogerius de Barnavilla, celebrem sibi in eo negotio comparaverunt famam.

Our men indeed, having gained possession of this first victory, with the Lord lending aid, continue the siege, the camps arranged all around in a circle without interval. From that day, therefore, neither the aforesaid Solimannus nor any of the princes of the infidels dared to attempt anything similar, so long as they persisted in the siege. Moreover, in that conflict the aforesaid princes bore themselves most excellently; but Lord Tancred also, and Walter of Garlanda as well, the steward (dapifer) of the king of the Franks, and Guy of Porsessa, and Roger of Barnavilla, procured for themselves a celebrated renown in that affair.

Nostri igitur ad incutiendum terrorem hostibus de capitibus occisorum intra urbem plurima injici machinis jaculatoriis praeceperunt; et ex eis mille et de captivis aliquot ad imperatorem dirigentes, plurimum ejus per hoc sibi gratiam comparaverunt. Unde et pecuniam non modicam, et holosericorum diversa genera ad remunerandos exercituum principes, multa cum liberalitate direxit, praecipiens, ut et victui necessaria et rerum venalium, cum omni plenitudine, et sine dilatione ad eos deferatur commercium.

Our men therefore, to strike terror into the enemy, ordered that very many of the heads of the slain be hurled into the city by javelin-throwing machines; and sending a thousand of these, and some of the captives, to the emperor, they thereby procured for themselves very much of his favor. Whence he also dispatched no small sum of money, and various kinds of holoseric goods, to remunerate the leaders of the hosts, with much liberality, giving orders that both the things necessary for sustenance and articles of merchandise, with all plenitude and without delay, be conveyed to them in trade.

CAPUT V. Locantur principes deputatis sibi stationibus, et urbs undique obsessa impugnatur; quidam nobiles procumbunt in acie.

CHAPTER 5. The princes are placed at stations deputed to them, and the city, besieged on every side, is assaulted; certain nobles fall in the battle-line.

Visum est igitur principibus nostris expediens esse ad propositum, urbem ex omni parte, ut praediximus, obsidione vallare; et principes congruis locare stationibus, ut ingruente civibus undique molestia, eos ad deditionem compellerent facilius. De communi igitur consilio, aequis portionibus ambitum dividunt, singulas singulis deputantes principibus: dominumque ducem cum duobus fratribus suis, et eorum legionibus ab orientali parte locant. Dominus vero Boamundus, cum domino Tancredo, et aliis principibus, qui eum secuti fuerant, quorum superius nomina posuimus, cum suo iterum exercitu, partem urbis septentrionalem obtinuit.

It seemed therefore to our princes expedient to the purpose to gird the city on every side, as we have said above, with a siege; and to place the princes in congruous stations, so that, with distress bearing down upon the citizens from every quarter, they might more easily compel them to surrender. Accordingly, by common counsel they divide the circuit in equal portions, assigning single sections to single princes: and they place the lord duke with his two brothers and their legions on the eastern side. But Lord Boamundus, with Lord Tancred, and the other princes who had followed him, whose names we have set above, with his army in turn, occupied the northern part of the city.

Comes vero Flandrensis et princeps Normannorum, cum suis iterum cohortibus, juxta praedictos in ordine locati sunt. Australem vero plagam Raimondus Tolosanus comes et episcopus Podiensis, cum suis consortibus sibi obtinuerunt deputatam; juxta quem dominus Stephanus Blesensium comes et Carnotensium, cum domino Hugone Magno et aliis quibusdam inclytis et nobilibus viris castra locaverat. Sic igitur ex omni parte urbe vallata, placuit principibus, ex vicina silva sumpta ad eos usus competente materia, machinas ad suffodiendum murum habiles et necessarias, quas vulgo Scrophas appellant; itemque jaculatorias, quas vulgari appellatione Mangana dicunt, et petrarias sub omni celeritate fabrefieri.

But the Count of Flanders and the prince of the Normans, with their cohorts again, were placed in order next to the aforesaid. The southern quarter, moreover, Count Raymond of Toulouse and the bishop of Le Puy, with their consorts, obtained as assigned to themselves; next to whom Lord Stephen, count of the Blesians and of the Carnutenses, with Lord Hugh the Great and certain other renowned and noble men, had pitched their camp. Thus, with the city girdled on every side, it pleased the princes that, from a nearby wood, material competent for those uses having been taken, machines fit and necessary for undermining the wall, which in the common tongue they call “Sows,” and likewise hurling-engines, which in the vulgar appellation they call “Mangana,” and stone-throwers, should be fabricated with all speed.

Vocatisque artificibus omnimoda instant diligentia, ut opere consummato urbem satagant impugnare Dumque in eo desudarent attentius, et urbem frequentibus congressionibus, septem hebdomadarum curriculo hostiliter impugnassent, quadam die indicto de more conflictu, duos nobiles et magnificos viros et in armis strenuos, dominum videlicet Balduinum cognomento Calderon, et dominum itidem Balduinum de Gant, alterum jactu lapidis, alterum sagittae ictu dum in expugnatione urbis decertant animosius, miserabili amiserunt infortunio. Post hoc etiam, dum ex consilio et decreto principum rursum exercitus iteraret assultum, Willelmus comes de Foreis et Galo de Insula, dum in eo conflictu nimium ferventes, hostes lacessunt, sagittis transfixi interierunt; Guido quoque de Porcessa, vir nobilis de regno Francorum, valida ibidem correptus aegritudine, carne solutus est. Super quorum casu consternatus plurimum Dei populus, eos honeste tradidit sepulturae; exsequias, quales viris nobilibus et magnificis exhiberi solent, intuitu pietatis charitatisve, impendentes.

And the artificers having been summoned, they press with every manner of diligence, that, the work consummated, they may be eager to assault the city. And while they were sweating more intently at that, and had assailed the city in hostile fashion with frequent engagements, in the course of seven weeks, on a certain day, a conflict having been proclaimed according to custom, they lost, by a pitiable mischance, two noble and magnificent men and stout in arms—namely lord Baldwin surnamed Calderon, and likewise lord Baldwin of Ghent—the one by a cast of a stone, the other by the stroke of an arrow, while, contending more spiritedly in the storming of the city. After this also, when by the counsel and decree of the princes the army again renewed the assault, William, count of Forez, and Galo of the Isle, while in that conflict, being too fervent, they provoked the enemies, were pierced with arrows and perished; and Guy of Porcessa, a noble man from the kingdom of the Franks, there seized by a strong sickness, was loosed from the flesh. At whose fall the people of God, greatly dismayed, committed them honorably to burial, paying funeral rites such as are wont to be exhibited to noble and magnificent men, in regard of piety or charity.

CAPUT VI. Machina quaedam muro applicata, a civibus obteritur, sub qua multi nostrorum pereunt. Lacus nostrorum obstat conatibus.

CHAPTER 6. A certain machine applied to the wall is crushed by the citizens, beneath which many of our men perish. Our moat obstructs the endeavors.

Quadam iterum die dum omnes in circuitu principes, suas certatim ad murum applicarent machinas; et modis quibuscunque poterant, muros debilitare, et sibi parare introitum niterentur, otium et desides ferias, strenuorum more, declinantes, comes Hermannus et Henricus de Ascha, de regno Theutonicorum viri nobiles et inclyti, instrumentum quoddam artificiose satis compositum, familiarium et domesticorum suorum conatu et virtute multa, moenibus applicant. Erat autem machina quercinis trabibus contexta, in cujus ambitu robustos intexuerant parietes; ita ut introducti equites viginti, viribus robustissimi, ab omni telorum immissione et jactu, etiam maximorum molarium, qui intromissi erant ad subfodiendum murum, viderentur consistere posse securi. Quae tandem machina, ut praediximus, muris applicata, instantibus desuper ad muri defensionem civibus, magnorum impulsu lapidum ita penitus contrita est ut, solutis compagibus, eos qui infra se erant comprimeret universos.

On a certain day again, while all the princes round about were each in rivalry applying their machines to the wall, and by whatever methods they could were striving to debilitate the walls and to prepare an entry for themselves, shunning leisure and slothful holidays, after the manner of the strenuous, Count Hermann and Henry of Ascha, noble and renowned men of the kingdom of the Teutons, apply to the ramparts a certain instrument quite artfully composed, by the endeavor and much valor of their household familiars and domestics. Now the machine was woven together of oaken beams, within whose circuit they had interwoven stout walls, so that, twenty knights admitted inside, most robust in strength, from every discharge and cast of missiles—even of the very greatest millstones—who had been brought in to undermine the wall, seemed able to stand secure. Which machine at length, as we have said, when applied to the walls, with the citizens pressing from above for the defense of the wall, by the impact of great stones was so thoroughly shattered that, its fastenings loosened, it crushed all who were beneath it.

Condoluit itaque praedictis nobilibus (eo quod inutiliter, non sine sumptu, consumpta esset multorum dierum opera) populus universus; condoluit et viris fortibus, qui casu tam miserabili occubuerant. Spe tamen potiundae victoriae se invicem consolabantur, eoque maxime, quod vitam meliorem non diffiderent esse consecuturam eos, qui in hujusmodi negotio animas pro Christo poneret. Instar enim martyrii non immerito reputabant in agone hujusmodi vitam amisisse.

Therefore the whole populace condoled with the aforesaid nobles (because the work of many days had been consumed to no purpose, not without expense); they condoled also with the valiant men who had fallen by so miserable a chance. Yet, in the hope of victory to be obtained, they consoled one another, and all the more because they did not distrust that a better life would be attained by those who in a business of this sort should lay down their souls for Christ. For they reckoned, not unjustly, that to have lost life in an agony of this kind was after the manner of martyrdom.

Unde, morte contempta, vitam pro nihilo ducentes praesentem, quibuslibet periculis se objiciebant confidentius, ea spe facti animosiores. Instabant igitur principes ad urbis expugnationem per circuitum unanimiter; et ut quisque in parte sibi deputata sollicitum se exhiberet, et obsessos molestaret amplius, gloriosum reputabat; fervebat opus impendio, et assiduis congressionibus, et pugna pene continua requies civibus negabatur. Lacus tamen civitati adjacens, nostrorum maxime praepediebat operam, et studium citra optatam detinebat efficaciam, civibus omnimodam praebens consolationem.

Whence, with death held in contempt, counting the present life as nothing, they were more confidently exposing themselves to whatever perils, made more high-spirited by that hope. Therefore the princes pressed upon the storming of the city all around with one mind; and each one reckoned it glorious that he should show himself solicitous in the sector deputed to him, and vex the besieged more. The work was fervent exceedingly, and by continual engagements, with battle almost continuous, rest was denied to the citizens. However, the lake adjacent to the city was greatly hindering our men’s effort, and was holding their zeal short of the desired efficacy, offering to the citizens consolation of every kind.

Nam per eum navigantes, liberius victus et alimentorum inferebant copias, et armentorum nonnunquam, videntibus nostris et contradicere non volentibus, multitudinem introducebant.

For by it, sailing upon it, they more freely brought in supplies of victuals and aliments, and sometimes they introduced a multitude of herds, while our men looked on and were unwilling to oppose.

CAPUT VII. Nostri naves a mari deferunt in plaustris; lacum occupant; cives nostrorum admirantur argumentum, et desperant.

CHAPTER 7. Our men carry ships from the sea on wagons; they occupy the lake; the citizens admire the contrivance of our men, and despair.

Convenientes igitur Deo amabiles principes, super eo specialiter deliberant articulo qua ratione huic malo commodius possint occurrere; et tandem placuit in communi ut, missa populi parte maxima, et equitum etiam cum eis aliquot legionibus ad mare, naves inde sive integras, sive per partes dissolutas, super currus et vehicula, vel alio quocunque artificii genere usque ad lacum pertrahant, alioqui futurum ut, evacuatis eorum conatibus, consumptis studiis et impensis, res in irritum deducatur. Porro pervenientes ad mare, quibus id muneris erat injunctum, vias eorum et propositum Domino misericorditer dirigente, naves reperiunt mediae cujusdam quantitatis: quas a domino imperatore facilius impetratas educentes de mari, sicco locaverunt in littore. Copulatisque ad invicem tribus aut quatuor plaustris, prout navium longitudo deposcebat, eisque desuper impositis, unius noctis spatio per milliaria septem vel amplius, funibus, humeris et cervicibus hominum et equorum impositis, usque ad praedictum pertraxerunt lacum.

Accordingly, the God-beloved princes coming together, deliberate specifically on that article by what rationale they might more commodiously be able to meet this evil; and at length it pleased in common that, the greatest part of the people sent, and of horsemen also with them several legions to the sea, they should drag thence the ships, whether intact or dissolved into parts, upon carts and vehicles, or by any other kind of artifice whatsoever, as far as the lake; otherwise it would come about that, their endeavors evacuated, their efforts and expenses consumed, the matter would be brought to nothing. Moreover, those to whom that duty had been enjoined, arriving at the sea, the Lord mercifully directing their ways and purpose, find ships of a certain middle size: which, more easily obtained from the lord emperor, leading them out of the sea, they placed on the dry shore. And with three or four wagons coupled to one another, as the length of the ships demanded, and with these set upon them from above, in the span of one night for seven miles or more, with ropes laid upon the shoulders and necks of men and horses, they dragged them as far as the aforesaid lake.

Erant autem et inter eas quaedam non ita modicae, sed quae centum aut quinquaginta pugnatorum numerum possent recipere. Receptis igitur navibus, et in lacum depositis, laetatus est supra modum Christianus exercitus; et concurrentibus viris ad lacum primoribus, remiges inducunt, navigandi habentes peritiam; et simul cum eis viros in armis strenuos, et animositate commendabiles, spem habentes omnino certam, quod, auctore Domino, urbem essent in proximo habituri. At vero cives solito plura in lacu videntes navigia, admirati sunt, haerentes an suorum esset apparatus, qui eis subsidia ministrare curaret, an hostium.

There were also among them certain not so modest in size, but such as could receive the number of 100 or 150 fighters. Accordingly, the ships having been received and set down upon the lake, the Christian army rejoiced beyond measure; and as the leading men converged upon the lake, they bring in rowers, having skill in navigation; and together with them men stalwart in arms and commendable for courage, holding an altogether certain hope that, with the Lord as author, they would soon have the city at hand. But the citizens, seeing on the lake more ships than usual, were astonished, wavering whether it were the apparatus of their own people, who might be taking care to minister succors to them, or of the enemy.

Tandemque cognito quod nostri multis laboribus a mari deductas et terrestri devectas itinere eas in lacum immisissent, nostrorum admirati sunt et vires et argumentum, quod rem desperatam, et pene impossibilem effectui mancipassent.

And finally, upon learning that our men, by many labors, had led them down from the sea and conveyed them by a land-journey, and had launched them into the lake, they marveled both at the strength and the ingenuity of our men, for they had brought to effect a matter desperate and almost impossible.

CAPUT VIII. Iterum ex omni parte civitas oppugnatur. Comes Tolosanus contra se positam turrim machinis et omni arte debilitare nititur; sed, resistentibus civibus, opera consumitur.

CHAPTER 8. The city is again attacked from every side. The Count of Toulouse strives to weaken by engines and every art the tower set against him; but, the citizens resisting, the work is consumed.

Praeoccupato itaque, classe immissa, civium per lacum discursu, decretum est publice et voce indictum praeconia, quatenus legiones singulae, sicut sub certis principibus erant constitutae, ad impugnandam urbem denuo viriliter armarentur, et majore solito instantia, quantas possent civibus inferrent molestias. Sicque singuli principes suos animantes exercitus, et armatos ad congressum dirigentes, factus est assultus longe solito asperior. Machinis quoque instantes animosius, alii murum suffodere, alii magnos contorquere molares ad debilitanda moenia satagebant.

Therefore, with the citizens’ coursing across the lake forestalled by the fleet having been sent in, it was decreed publicly and proclaimed by a herald’s voice that the several legions, as they were constituted under certain princes, should arm themselves manfully to assail the city anew, and with greater than usual urgency should inflict upon the citizens as many vexations as they could. And thus, the several leaders heartening their armies and directing the armed men to the encounter, an assault was made far harsher than usual. Pressing the engines more boldly as well, some were busy undermining the wall, others strove to whirl and hurl great millstones to debilitate the walls.

Erat autem in parte australi, quae domino comiti Tolosano ad impugnandum erat deputata, turris quaedam, sublimitate simul et grossitie caeteris notabilior, juxta quam praedicti Solimanni uxor dicebatur habere domicilium: ad hanc dejiciendam comes omne studium jam per dies aliquot impenderat; sed inutiliter. Nam, cum duabus machinis jaculatoriis eam continuis jactibus flagellasset instantius, prae operis soliditate lapidem etiam unum ex ea dissolvere non poterat. Unde, ne ab incepto quasi victus desisteret, instantiam ingeminans, tormenta etiam multiplicat et contortis majoribus saxorum molibus, et mirae soliditatis cautibus immissis, rimas coepit agere, et in pulverem ictibus fatigata resolvi.

There was, moreover, in the southern part, which had been deputed to the lord Count of Toulouse for assaulting, a certain tower, more notable than the rest in sublimity and in thickness alike, beside which the wife of the aforesaid Soliman was said to have her domicile: upon casting this down the count had already for several days expended all effort; but uselessly. For, though with two throwing-engines he had more urgently scourged it with continuous casts, by reason of the solidity of the work he could not loosen even a single stone from it. Wherefore, lest he should desist from his undertaking as though vanquished, redoubling his insistence he also multiplies the engines, and, with greater masses of stones hurled and rocks of wondrous solidity sent in, he began to make fissures, and, wearied by the blows, it began to be resolved into powder.

Quod videns exercitus, adunata manu se invicem cohortantes vallum exsuperant: et ad murum accedentes, praedictam turrim dejicere, aut saltem perforare nituntur. Cives autem compertum habentes quod praedicta turris ruinam minaretur, eam interius lapidibus et caemento repleverunt, ut si forte murus aut suffossus, aut tormentis debilitatus corrueret, opus novum pro vetusto succederet, et penetrare volentibus praestaret impedimentum. Nostri tamen sub testudine latentes solidissima, quam violenter secus murum appulerant, murum suffodere nitebantur.

Seeing this, the army, with a united band, exhorting one another, over-topped the rampart; and, approaching the wall, they strive to cast down the aforesaid tower, or at least to perforate it. But the citizens, having ascertained that the aforesaid tower was menacing ruin, filled it within with stones and cement, so that, if perchance the wall, either undermined or weakened by engines, should collapse, a new work might succeed in place of the old, and furnish an impediment to those wishing to penetrate. Our men, however, lurking beneath a most solid testudo (tortoise), which they had forcefully applied close beside the wall, were striving to undermine the wall.

Tandemque effectum est ut foramen, quo duo armati viri facilius possent intrare, ferreis instrumentis et multo labore conficerent. Cives autem e converso, importune insistentibus omnino resistere, argumenta argumentis, et vires viribus non inferiore spiritu objectare unanimiter parati, arcubus et balistis, et omni armorum genere, lapidum quoque contorsione pugillarium, hostes a se repellere, et illatas propulsare nitebantur injurias.

And at length it was effected that they fashioned an opening, by iron implements and much labor, through which two armed men could more easily enter. The citizens, however, on the contrary, unanimously prepared to resist utterly those pressing in unseasonably, to oppose contrivances with contrivances and forces with forces with no lesser spirit, strove with bows and crossbows, and every kind of arms, and also by the hurling of fist-sized stones, to drive the enemies back from themselves and to repel the injuries being inflicted.

CAPUT IX. Factum ducis Godefridi memoriale. Cives in machinas nostras ignem immittunt; casus cujusdam viri nobilis lamentabilis.

CHAPTER 9. The memorable deed of Duke Godfrey. The citizens send fire into our machines; the lamentable mishap of a certain noble man.

Erat autem inter eos, qui murum ab impugnantibus tuebantur, quidam caeteris improbrior, corpore quoque et viribus notabilior, qui arcu in nostros multam operabatur stragem. Insuper etiam et de successu, quo diu nimis usus fuerat, intumescens, nostros probris afficiebat et contumeliis, desides eos vocans et timiditatis objiciens titulum. Erat autem hic in ea parte ita importune desaeviens, quae domino duci et suis cohortibus ad impugnandum erat deputata: quod vir illustris non perferens dominus Godefridus, sumpta balista locum quaerens opportunum, manus contra praedictum caussatorem dirigit, et telo per vitalia directo, confossum et exanimem ad terram dejicit, justam pro his omnibus quae nostris intulerat rependens vicissitudinem.

Now among those who were defending the wall from the assailants, there was a certain man more wicked than the rest, notable also for body and for strength, who with his bow was working much slaughter among our men. Moreover, swelling with the success which he had enjoyed far too long, he was afflicting our men with reproaches and contumelies, calling them sluggards and charging them with the label of timidity. Now this man was raging so importunely in that sector which had been assigned to the lord duke and his cohorts for the assault; which the illustrious man, Lord Godfrey, not enduring, took up a ballista, and, seeking an opportune spot, directs his hand against the aforesaid provoker; and with the missile aimed through the vitals, he casts him, pierced and lifeless, to the ground, rendering a just recompense for all that he had inflicted upon our men.

Quo facto, caeteros ejusdem operis consortes, qui in ea parte illius exemplo animati, resistebant animosius, maxime deterruit; ita ut minus minusque et missilia contorquerent, et jacularentur convicia. Alii tamen, qui in caeteris partibus pro urbis defensione desudabant attentius, facti hujus ignari, nihilominus de turribus et muris tota se tuentes diligentia, in nostros et caedem et vulnera totis viribus procurabant exercere; picem quoque, oleum, et arvinam, et caetera quae incendiis solent fomitem ministrare, et accensas faces in nostras machinas dirigentes, eas ex parte plurima, ubi non observabantur diligentius, consumebant. Quibus autem in parte australi ad expugnandam praedictam turrim erat labor sedulus, curam ad idipsum continuabant et studium; sed videntes quidquid hesterna die in muro suffoderant, totum nocte secuta reparatum, coeperunt fieri remissiores, videntes quod non proficerent.

With this done, he greatly deterred the other partners in the same undertaking, who in that quarter, encouraged by his example, had been resisting more spiritedly; so that they hurled missiles less and less, and cast invectives more rarely. Others, however, who in the remaining parts were sweating more earnestly for the defense of the city, unaware of this deed, nevertheless, from towers and walls, maintaining themselves with all diligence, strove with all their might to inflict both slaughter and wounds upon our men; and directing pitch, oil, and tallow, and the other things that are wont to furnish fuel for fires, as well as kindled torches, against our engines, they consumed them for the greater part wherever they were not more carefully kept under watch. But those whose assiduous labor was in the southern sector to storm the aforesaid tower continued their very care and zeal to that same end; yet, seeing that whatever they had undermined in the wall on the previous day had been entirely repaired in the night that followed, they began to grow more remiss, seeing that they were not making progress.

Dumque pene desisterent ab incepto, ecce quidam valde strenuus et nobilis eques de exercitu comitis Normannorum, sui exemplo volens alios animare, lorica indutus et galea, et opertus clypeo, vallum transiens, ad murum accessit imperterritus, novam lapidum structuram, quam eadem nocte cives opposuerant, volens convellere; et foramen quod hesterna die factum fuerat rursus aperire; sed, instantibus desuper cum omni importunitate civibus, nec aliorum quisquam ut opem ferret ausus fuit accedere, nec ille potuit consummare propositum: magnis enim lapidum molibus ibi secus murum contritus, cernentibus nostris, nec subvenire volentibus, interiit: cujus corpus exanime, uncis ad se ferreis sublevantes, infra moenia suis expositum ludibriis dejecerunt; tandemque lorica nudatum et galea, ad nostros rejecerunt extra moenia. Quo debitis exsequiis sepulturae tradito, flevit super eum populus, ejus plurimum commendans animositatem et mortem ejus in conspectu Domini reputans pretiosam, per quam ejus animam electis spiritibus non dubitabant sociandam: omnium enim, ut praediximus, una mens erat et eadem sententia, eos qui sic in acie procumbebant, vitam mereri perpetuam, et in parte sortis sanctorum praedestinato collocari in lumine.

And while they were almost desisting from the undertaking, behold, a certain very strenuous and noble knight from the army of the count of the Normans, wishing by his example to animate others, clad in a cuirass and a helmet and covered by a shield, crossed the rampart and, undaunted, approached the wall, wishing to tear down the new structure of stones which the citizens had set up that same night, and to open again the aperture which on the previous day had been made; but, the citizens pressing down from above with all importunity, neither did any of the others dare to come up to bring aid, nor could he consummate his design: for, crushed there beside the wall by great masses of stones, while our men looked on and were unwilling to give succor, he perished; and his lifeless body, hoisting it to themselves with iron hooks, they cast down within the walls, exposed to their mockeries; and at length, stripped of cuirass and helmet, they threw it back to our men outside the walls. When he had been given over to the due obsequies of burial, the people wept over him, highly commending his spirited courage, and reckoning his death precious in the sight of the Lord, through which they doubted not that his soul would be associated with the elect spirits: for all, as we said above, had one mind and the same judgment, that those who thus fell on the battle-line merited life perpetual, and to be placed in the predestined portion of the lot of the saints, in light.

CAPUT X. Quidam principibus se offert artifex, machinam construit, turrim suffodit, suffossam diruit.

CHAPTER 10. A certain artificer offers himself to the princes, constructs a machine, undermines the tower, and demolishes the undermined one.

Interea de more, quem sibi fecerant adinvicem, convenientes nostrarum legionum Deo devoti principes, compertum habentes quod non proficerent, sed potius inutiliter operam consumerent et studium, apud se quaerunt diligentius, deliberatione proposita, quo in tanta necessitate opus sit consilio. Dumque circa id insisterent, plurimum anxietatis sustinentes, ecce quidam Longobardus natione, accedens ad principes, videns quod omnium artificum eluderentur argumenta, et labor sine fructu deperiret, hujus artis professus est se habere peritiam, asserens, quod si ei sumptus de publico ad operis consummationem sufficientes, et necessarii ministrarentur, ipse, auctore Domino, infra paucos dies turrim praedictam, sine damno nostrorum ad terram dejiceret; et late patentem introitum omnibus ingredi volentibus, ministraret. Sumptibus igitur de publico ministratis ad omnem sufficientiam, et salario insuper condigno pro ejus laboris recompensatione designato, subjecta pro votis materia, machinam miro construit artificio: ita ut qui intus erant, nolentibus hostibus, sine suo periculo secus murum eam possent applicare; et interius latentes, murum suffodere non timerent, quod ipso rerum experimento plenius edocuit ad evidentiam.

Meanwhile, according to the custom which they had made among themselves, the God-devoted princes of our legions, assembling, having found that they were not profiting, but rather were consuming effort and zeal to no purpose, inquire among themselves more diligently, deliberation proposed, what counsel is needed in so great a necessity. And while they were insisting upon this, bearing very great anxiety, behold, a certain man, a Lombard by nation, approaching the princes, seeing that the devices of all the artificers were being eluded and the labor was perishing without fruit, professed that he had expertise in this art, asserting that if funds from the public, sufficient and necessary for the consummation of the work, were supplied to him, he, with the Lord as author, within a few days would cast down to the ground the aforesaid tower without damage to our men, and would furnish a broadly patent entrance to all who wished to go in. Therefore, public funds being supplied to complete sufficiency, and moreover a suitable salary designated for the recompense of his labor, the material being subjected according to his wishes, he constructs a machine with wondrous artifice: such that those who were inside, the enemies being unwilling, could apply it alongside the wall without their own peril; and, lying concealed within, would not fear to undermine the wall—which he taught more fully to evidence by the very experiment of things.

Nam composito et armato undique pro sua voluntate instrumento, viros fortes et loricatos, armis et ferreis instrumentis, ad suffodiendum murum necessariis instructos, sub eadem secum colligit machina; quam etiam cum suis opificibus probe nimis, et argumentose plurimum, trans vallum positam moenibus applicat. Cives autem solita instantes protervia, immissis magnis molaribus, et igne superinjecto, quae omnia propter culminis arduitatem et latera devexa, quoniam inhaerere non poterant, ut damnum subjectis irrogarent, de consueto auxilio coeperunt diffidere; et instrumenti, quod nullatenus laedere poterant, robur admirantur, et artificis argumentum. Qui autem sub ea latebant testudine, securi penitus ab hostium insidiis ad infringendum murum, et turrim subvertendam totis instant viribus; et convulsorum loco lapidum stipites supponunt, et ligneam materiam; ne parte muri inferiore suffossa, subito corruat pars superior et machinam comprimat, quae tantae pondus magnitudinis, et immensitatem ruinae nullatenus ferre poterat.

For with the instrument arranged and armed on every side according to his will, he gathers under the same machine with himself brave and cuirassed men, equipped with arms and iron instruments necessary for undermining the wall; and that machine also, with his own workmen, exceedingly well and with very much contrivance, placed beyond the rampart, he applies to the walls. But the citizens, pressing on with their wonted protervity, having hurled great millstones and cast fire upon it—yet all these, on account of the steepness of the summit and the sloping sides, since they could not adhere so as to inflict damage on those beneath—began to distrust their wonted aid; and they admire the strength of the instrument, which they could in no wise injure, and the contrivance of the artificer. Those, however, who were hiding beneath that tortoise, wholly secure from the enemies’ ambushes, press on with all their strength to break the wall and to overthrow the tower; and in place of the stones torn out they put in props and timber, lest, the lower part of the wall being undermined, the upper part should suddenly collapse and crush the machine, which could by no means bear the weight of so great a magnitude and the immensity of the ruin.

Facta igitur tanta suffossione, quae ad turris dejectionem sufficere posse videbatur; et sustentaculis quae murum casurum sustentabant igne supposito, et nutriendis ignibus apta subjecta materia, machinam relinquunt, ad suos cum omni celeritate se conferentes. Factumque est, ita ut circa noctis medium, omni fulcimentorum consumpta materia, et ignibus edacibus in cineres redacta, turris cum tanto fragore ceciderit, ut etiam remotos quodam horrore concuteret; et terraemotus instar corda conturbans et ingerens formidinem, ad quem sonitum excitae legiones, ad arma convolant, animos induunt, tanquam urbem violenter ingressuri.

Therefore, such an undermining having been made as seemed able to suffice for the casting down of the tower; and fire having been placed beneath the props that were sustaining the wall about to fall, and material laid underneath suitable for feeding the fires, they leave the machine, betaking themselves to their own with all speed. And it came to pass, that about the middle of the night, with all the material of the props consumed and reduced to ashes by devouring fires, the tower fell with so great a crash that it shook even those far away with a certain dread; and, like an earthquake, disturbing hearts and injecting fear, at whose sound the legions, roused, flock to arms, they put on courage, as though about to enter the city by violence.

CAPUT XI. Uxor Solimanni cum duobus filiis fugiens capitur. Desperant cives; cum Tatino Graeco de deditione tractant; mittuntur ad imperatorem super eo a principibus nuntii.

CHAPTER 11. Soliman’s wife, fleeing with two sons, is captured. The citizens despair; they negotiate about surrender with Tatinus the Greek; messengers are sent to the emperor about this by the princes.

Solimani vero uxor, quae hactenus urbis obsessae molestias multo labore pertulerat, turris casu, femineo more perterrita, paratis navibus urbe clam egressa, ad loca tutiora se cum ancillis et familiaribus transferre proposuerat; sed nostri, qui per lacum in navigiis erant, ad cohibendos introitus exitusque civium deputati, dum studiosius more prudentium cuncta perlustrant, abeuntem reperiunt, capiunt repertam; et captam cum duobus filiis tenellis admodum, principibus repraesentant, qui sub arcta custodia cum aliis concaptivis eam praecipiunt diligentius observari. Cives autem et de aditu hostibus patefacto et de captivitate tantae feminae, mente plurimum consternati, prorsus de viribus diffidentes, missa legatione, a principibus inducias postulant, de sua deditione cum eisdem tractaturi. Tatinus autem, de quo superius mentionem fecimus, praesentiens, sicuti vir erat versutissimus, populi a sui tuitione deficientis voluntatem, majores civitatis convenerat, monens ut in sui deditione dominum imperatorem honorarent, proponens quod hic peregrinorum exercitus, qui praesens erat, ad alia properabat negotia; nec ex principali proposito, sed incidenter, et quasi praetereundo in eam descendissent obsidionem.

Soliman’s wife, who until now had borne with much toil the hardships of the besieged city, at the fall of the tower, panic‑struck in feminine fashion, with ships prepared, secretly went out of the city and had proposed to transfer herself with her handmaids and household to safer places; but our men, who were upon the lake in boats, deputed to restrain the entrances and exits of the citizens, while more zealously, in the manner of prudent men, they survey everything, find her as she departs, seize her when found; and, having taken her, together with her two very tender little sons, present her to the princes, who order that she be kept under strict custody with the other fellow‑captives, to be observed the more diligently. The citizens, however, both because an approach had been laid open to the enemies and because of the captivity of so great a woman, being very much confounded in mind, utterly diffident of their strength, after sending an embassy, ask from the princes a truce, intending to treat with them concerning their own surrender. But Tatinus, of whom we made mention above, fore‑perceiving, as he was a most wily man, the will of the people failing from his protection, had met with the magnates of the city, advising that in their surrender they should honor the lord emperor, proposing that this army of pilgrims, which was present, was hastening to other business; and that not from its principal purpose, but incidentally, and as it were in passing, had it descended to that siege.

Dominum autem imperatorem circa se positum haberent perpetuo, de cujus commendabili plurimum possent clementia praesumere, et semper exspectare meliora. Optimum ergo erat, ut in eo facto imperatorem, hominibus ignotis et genti barbarae praeponerent, ita ut in ejus manu fieret deditio, quam declinare non poterant; et per eos urbem reciperet imperator, cujus non multis retro temporibus, per Turcorum violentiam, imperium injuste amiserat. His et hujusmodi persuasus civium conventus, in manu imperatoris eligunt urbem, personas quoque suas et omnem substantiam salva incolumitate, resignare; nec tamen id nostris molestum fuit principibus; quippe cum ad alia tota eorum properaret intentio, nec his inhaerere eorum esset propositum; sperantes tamen, quod juxta pactorum tenorem, salva essent exercitui in solatium laboris et damnorum quae pertulerant, spolia civitatis.

But they would have the lord emperor stationed around them perpetually, of whose commendable clemency they could presume much, and always expect better things. Therefore it was optimal that in that deed they should set the emperor before unknown men and a barbarous nation, so that the surrender—which they could not decline—might be made into his hand; and that through them the emperor might receive back the city, who not many years before had unjustly lost his imperium by the violence of the Turks. Persuaded by these and suchlike arguments, the convention of the citizens chooses to resign into the hand of the emperor the city, and also their persons and all their substance, with safety unimpaired; nor, however, was this troublesome to our princes; since their whole intention was hastening to other matters, nor was it their purpose to inhere in these; hoping, nevertheless, that according to the tenor of the pacts, the spoils of the city would be secured for the army, in solace for the labor and the damages which they had endured.

Captivos tamen de fratribus, quos tum saepe dictus Solimannus tum de exercitu Petri Eremitae, apud castrum Civitot, tum etiam quos cives in obsidione ceperant, libertati restitutos, noster recepit exercitus universos antequam de eorum deditione vellent tractari sermonem, et eorum in hac parte votis satisfacere. Factum est igitur, quod de principum conniventia et populi consensu missi sunt ad imperatorem nuntii, dicentes: Principes et Christianus exercitus, qui apud urbem Nicaenam in ejus obsidione pro Christi nominis amore fideliter laboraverunt, eam auctore Domino, multa sollicitudine et urgente instantia compulerunt ad deditionem. Unde nos ad tuam dirigentes serenitatem, monemus et exhortamur attentius, quatenus ad partes illas de tuis principibus cum sufficientibus expeditionibus aliquos mittere non moreris, qui urbem traditam ad honorem tui nominis conservare valeant; et captivorum multitudinem hinc transferre sint idonei.

Nevertheless, the captives from among the brethren—those whom at one time the oft‑mentioned Soliman had taken, then those from the army of Peter the Hermit at the castle of Civitot, and also those whom the citizens had taken during the siege—having been restored to liberty, our army received them all before they wished to have a discussion about their surrender, and to satisfy their wishes in this regard. Therefore it came to pass that, by the connivance of the princes and the consensus of the people, messengers were sent to the emperor, saying: The princes and the Christian army, who at the city of Nicaea, in its siege, have labored faithfully for love of the name of Christ, have, with the Lord as Author, by much solicitude and urgent insistence, compelled it to surrender. Wherefore we, addressing your Serenity, admonish and exhort earnestly that you do not delay to send to those parts some of your princes with sufficient expeditions, who may be able to preserve the city, handed over, to the honor of your name, and be fit to transfer the multitude of captives from here.

Nos enim, urbe vestrae celsitudini resignata, iter quod semel assumpsimus, auctore Domino, prosequi non differemus.

For we, the city resigned to your Highness, will not delay to prosecute the journey which we once undertook, with the Lord as author.

CAPUT XII. Imperator, missis nuntiis, urbem recipit; principibus gratias agens, munera mittit. Indignatur populus; pacta confracta queritur; captivos Constantinopolim ductos, imperator remittit ad propria, muneribus honoratos.

CHAPTER 12. The Emperor, messengers having been sent, receives the city; giving thanks to the princes, he sends gifts. The people are indignant; they complain that the pacts have been broken; the captives led to Constantinople, the emperor remits to their own homes, honored with gifts.

His auditis, laetabundus imperator et gaudens, quosdam de familiaribus suis, de quorum fide praesumebat et industria, cum ingentibus copiis, ad partes illas dirigit, qui et urbem suscipiant, et communiant susceptam; omnem captivorum substantiam, tam in auro et argento, quam in quolibet supellectilis genere sibi vindicantes: singulisque principibus dona mittens ingentia, eorumque litteris et viva voce captans benevolentiam; grates pro tam honesto servitio, tantoque imperii, quod per eos accesserat, incremento, refert ingentes. Verum populus et secundae manus homines, qui ad hoc in praedictae urbis orbis obsidione studiosius desudaverant, ut de spoliis captivorum civium, et de substantia multiplici infra urbem reperta, rerum suarum dispendia quae pertulerant, resarcire possent; videntes, quod non satis aequa mercede eorum remuneraret labores; quodque publicandum erat ex compacto, rebus familiaribus et fisco inferre suo proponeret, aegre nimis tulerunt, ita ut poeniteret eos et impensi laboris et sumptuum, quos, ut eis videbatur, inutiliter attriverant. Sed et principes eumdem imperatorem, circa pactorum tenorem malitiose versatum constanter asserebant.

These things having been heard, the emperor, exultant and rejoicing, sends certain of his familiars, in whose good faith and diligence he was confident, with enormous forces to those parts, to both receive the city and to fortify it once received; claiming for himself all the substance of the captives, as well in gold and silver as in any kind of furnishings: and sending to each of the princes vast gifts, and by their letters and by living voice courting their benevolence; he renders huge thanks for so honorable a service, and for so great an increment of the empire as had accrued through them. But the people and men of the second rank, who had sweated more zealously to this end in the siege of the aforesaid city of the world, in order that from the spoils of the captive citizens and from the manifold substance found within the city they might be able to make good the losses of their own goods which they had borne; seeing that he did not remunerate their labors with a sufficiently just wage; and that what by compact was to be made public he proposed to bring into his private goods and into his own fisc, took it very ill, so that they repented both of the labor expended and of the expenses which, as it seemed to them, they had worn away to no purpose. But even the princes steadfastly asserted that the same emperor had dealt maliciously with respect to the tenor of the pacts.

Nam in pactorum serie quae inter eos inita fuerant, haec formula dicebatur interserta: Quod si aliquam de urbibus, quae ejus imperii fuerant, tota illa eorum profectione, usque in Syriam, praevia Domini misericordia, capi contingeret, urbe cum adjacentibus pertinentiis imperatori restituta, praeda, manubiae, et universa reliqua substantia, exercitibus, in laboris remunerationem et refusionem impensarum omnino cederet sine contradictione. Et licet nostris satis facile et in expedito esset, imperatoris familiam longe ab urbe repellere, et ad dominum suum remittere vacuos idque jure fecisse viderentur; nam iniquum est ei fidem servari, qui contra pacta nititur versari: tamen timorem Domini habentes prae oculis et ad majora festinantes, verbum de communi providentia dissimulant; populumque moleste id ferentem, honestis comprimunt persuasionibus, ut expediti proposito valeant satisfacere. Graeci vero qui ad hoc missi fuerant, urbem ingredientes, susceptis armis civium, et deditione completa, exeuntes ad castra, et statuti coram principibus, pro vita civium et incolumitate supplicant, dicentes eo domino imperatori urbem restituisse, et suas jugo illius potestatis cervices mancipasse. Sic ergo urbe capta, et copiis quae sufficere videbantur ad urbis tuitionem deputatis, Solimanni uxor cum duobus filiis, de quibus praediximus, et captivorum ingenti multitudine Constantinopolim translata est, ubi ab imperatore non solum clementer, verum et liberaliter nimis tractati, infra paucos dies libertati pristinae sunt restituti.

For in the series of the pacts that had been entered into between them, this formula was said to have been inserted: But if it should happen that any of the cities which had been of his empire were taken during that whole expedition of theirs, as far as Syria, with the Lord’s mercy going before, the city, with the adjacent appurtenances, having been restored to the emperor, the prey, the manubiae (war-spoils), and all the remaining substance whatsoever should wholly pass to the armies, for remuneration of toil and reimbursement of expenses, without contradiction. And although it was quite easy and ready to our men to drive far from the city the emperor’s household and to send them back to their lord empty-handed—and they would seem to have done this by right; for it is unjust that faith be kept to him who strives to act against the pacts: yet, having the fear of the Lord before their eyes and hastening on to greater things, they pass over the matter, by common providence, in silence; and they restrain the people, who took it ill, with honorable persuasions, so that, unencumbered, they might be able to satisfy their purpose. But the Greeks who had been sent for this, entering the city, after receiving the arms of the citizens and the surrender being completed, went out to the camp, and, set before the princes, they supplicate for the life and safety of the citizens, saying that to their lord the emperor they had restored the city, and had made their necks bond to the yoke of his power. Thus then, the city being taken, and forces that seemed sufficient for the tutelage of the city being assigned, the wife of Soliman, with the two sons of whom we have spoken, and a vast multitude of captives were transferred to Constantinople, where by the emperor they were treated not only clemently, but even very liberally, and within a few days they were restored to their former liberty.

Id autem ea fecisse dicitur intentione, ut et Turcorum sibi reconciliaret gratiam, et in nostram propensiores suis beneficiis excitaret injuriam; et alios, si quando urbem casu quolibet contingeret obsideri, a deditione simili non deterreret. Capta est autem urbs Nicaea anno ab Incarnatione Domini 1097 mense Junio, 20 die mensis.

It is said that he did this with the intention both to reconcile to himself the favor of the Turks, and by his benefactions to rouse them, being more well-disposed, to inflict injury upon us; and that he might not deter others, if ever the city should by any chance happen to be besieged, from a similar surrender. Moreover, the city of Nicaea was taken in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord 1097, in the month of June, on the 20th day of the month.

CAPUT XIII. Soluta obsidione iter arripuit exercitus. Dividuntur ab invicem principes.

CHAPTER 13. The siege having been lifted, the army took up the march. The princes are separated from one another.

Solimannus cum innumeris copiis iterum occurrit.

Soliman with innumerable forces meets them again.

Soluta igitur obsidione, de mandato principum, iterum ad proficiscendum invitatur exercitus, et compositis sarcinis, III Kalend. Julii iter arripiunt. Cumque per biduum junctis legionibus incessissent, casu nocte illa secus quemdam pontem, aquarum commoditatem secuti, castrametati sunt, unde summo diluculo ante lucis exortum, dum adhuc essent tenebrae, rursus ad iter se accingentes, transito ponte, sive casu, sive ex industria, divisi sunt principes ab invicem, cum suis expeditionibus.

Therefore, the siege having been loosed, by the mandate of the princes, the army is again invited to set out, and, the packs arranged, on the 3rd day before the Kalends of July they take up the march. And when for two days they had proceeded with the legions joined, by chance that night beside a certain bridge, following the convenience of water, they encamped, whence at the very daybreak before the rising of the light, while it was still darkness, again girding themselves for the journey, the bridge having been crossed, whether by chance or by design, the princes were divided from one another, with their expeditions.

Dominus enim Boamundus et Normannorum comes, et Stephanus comes Blesensium, Tancredus etiam et Hugo comes de Sancto Paulo, laevam secuti, seorsum illa die profecti, in vallem pervenerunt cui nomen Gorgoni: ibique secus ripam fluvii decurrentis, pascuorum habentes commoditatem et graminis circa horam nonam castra locaverant, ubi et noctem illam, solliciti tamen, locatis in gyrum excubiis, quietam transegerunt. Reliqui vero omnes dextram tenentes, illam compleverunt diaetam; et vix a praedictorum castris duobus distantes milliaribus, in locis itidem pascuis, et aquarum habentibus commoditatem, castra composuerant. Solimannus vero, illatae memor injuriae, et ad animum revocans sine intermissione, quomodo per illos urbem egregiam, uxorem et filios amisisset, ad id totis viribus anhelabat ut eis vicem rependeret, et aliquas, si posset, eis praestrueret insidias.

For Lord Bohemond, the Norman count, and Stephen, count of Blois, Tancred also, and Hugh, count of Saint-Pol, having followed the left, set out separately that day and came into a valley by the name Gorgoni; and there, along the bank of a running river, having the convenience of pastures and grass, around the ninth hour they had pitched camp, where also that night—anxious, however—having posted sentries all around, they passed it in quiet. But all the rest, keeping the right, completed that day’s stage; and scarcely two miles distant from the aforesaid camp, in places likewise of pasture and having the convenience of waters, they had set their camp in order. But Soliman, mindful of the injury inflicted and recalling to mind without intermission how through them he had lost the distinguished city, his wife and sons, was striving with all his forces to repay them in turn, and to lay some ambushes for them, if he could.

Convocatis itaque ingentibus denuo militum copiis, nostrorum a laeva, aequis pene passibus, subsequebatur exercitum; in quo etiam exploratores habens, qui de statu proficiscentium, eum indesinenter redderent doctiorem, praestolabatur assidue quomodo, sumpta occasione opportuna in eos posset irruere. Cognito autem per eosdem quod divisus esset exercitus, et pars altera quae viribus et numero minor videbatur, sibi erat vicinior, horam ratus invenisse competentem, descendit de montibus cum illo suorum infinito comitatu. Vixque aurora solis subsequentis nuntiabat adventum, et noctis umbra densior luce propinqua dissolvi coeperat, cum ecce qui in speculis erant constituti, ut hostium, si quae essent, de remoto praesentirent insidias, et exercitum admonerent, visis hostibus, lituis concinunt, et cursu rapti velocissimo hostes adesse denuntiant.

Therefore, vast forces of soldiery having been convened anew, he was following our army on the left, with almost equal paces; and having in it also scouts, who would unceasingly render him more informed about the condition of those setting out, he kept constant watch as to how, seizing a favorable occasion, he might rush upon them. But when through those same men it was learned that the army had been divided, and that the other part, which seemed lesser in strength and in number, was nearer to him, judging that he had found a suitable hour, he descended from the mountains with that infinite retinue of his. And scarcely did the dawn of the following sun herald its coming, and the denser shadow of night had begun to be dissolved by the near light, when behold, those who had been stationed on the lookouts, that they might, if there were any, pre-sense from afar the ambushes of the enemy and warn the army, at the sight of the foes sound together on the lituus-trumpets, and, carried off into very swift running, proclaim that the enemies are at hand.

Igitur cornicinum clangore et voce praeconia excitae legiones universae, ad arma convolant, equos praeparant, tanquam praelium cominus habituri. Erat autem mane, in ipsa die Kalendarum Juliarum. Disposita igitur universa populi multitudine per acies, et praepositis singulis cohortibus quinquagenariis et centurionibus, et per alas pedestrium turmarum primiceriis constitutis; sarcinas et impedimenta, omnemque senum, mulierum ac debilium invalidam multitudinem, quo expeditiores ad pugnam possent procedere, secus arundinetum in vicino positum, curribus et vehiculis eos praetexentes, collocant quasi in tuto.

Therefore, at the blare of the horn-blowers and the herald’s voice, all the legions, roused, rush to arms, prepare the horses, as though about to hold battle at close quarters. It was morning, on the very day of the Kalends of July (July 1). Accordingly, with the whole multitude of the people arranged through the battle-lines, and with fifty-men commanders (quinquagenaries) and centurions set over each cohort, and primicerii appointed over the wings of the infantry troops; the baggage and impedimenta, and the whole weak multitude of old men, women, and the infirm, so that they might proceed to the fight more unencumbered, they place beside a reed-bed situated nearby, screening them with wagons and vehicles, as it were in a safe place.

Missisque nuntiis ad reliquas partes exercitus, a quibus temere divisi fuerant, monent et hortantur attentius ut accelerare velint, significantes in quantis angustiis positi sint. Postquam vero juxta rei militaris disciplinam in castris domini Boamundi omnia videntur secundum ordinem disposita, ecce circa horam diei secundam adest Solimannus, infinita secum Turcorum agmina trahens: quodque nostris erat mirabilius, in tanta multitudine, quae ducentorum millium dicebatur excedere quantitatem, nec unus nisi eques poterat reperiri. Nostri autem, ut praediximus, promiscue utriusque ordinis secum trahebant legiones.

And having sent messengers to the remaining parts of the army, from which they had been rashly divided, they warn and exhort more attentively that they should hasten, indicating in what great straits they are placed. But after, according to the discipline of the military art, everything in the camp of lord Bohemond seemed to have been arranged in due order, behold, around the second hour of the day Soliman is present, dragging with him infinite hosts of Turks; and what was more marvelous to our men, in so great a multitude—which was said to exceed the amount of 200,000—not a single one could be found save a horseman. Our men, however, as we have said above, were bringing along legions of both orders promiscuously.

CAPUT XIV. Pugna committitur. Cadit Willelmus Tancredi frater, et totus Boamundi in arcto nimis constituitur exercitus; Tancredus pene capitur.

CHAPTER 14. The battle is joined. William, brother of Tancred, falls, and the entire army of Bohemond is hemmed in far too narrowly; Tancred is nearly captured.

Accedente igitur Turcorum exercitu, tantus factus est in castris tumultus, quod vix alicujus sermo poterat exaudiri. Fragor enim armorum et equorum strepitus, tubarum classica et tympanorum sonus horribilis, ipsorum etiam certatim conclamantium ululatus usque ad sidera tolli videbatur, ita ut plurimum inassuetis et minus circa hujusmodi exercitatis legionibus, terrorem incuterent vehementem. Irruentes igitur in nostrum exercitum Turcorum acies, tantam immiserunt sagittarum multitudinem, ut instar grandinis aerem occuparent, et in nostrorum legionibus vix vacuus a vulnere aliquis inveniretur; vixque prior nubes descenderat cum arcubus, sequens emissa non rarior; si quid prior intactum dimiserat, secunda illaesum non praeteriit.

With the Turkish army therefore approaching, so great a tumult arose in the camp that scarcely could anyone’s speech be heard. For the crash of arms and the clatter of horses, the clarions of trumpets and the horrible sound of drums, and even the ululations of those themselves shouting in rivalry, seemed to be lifted up to the stars, so that upon legions unaccustomed and less exercised in matters of this kind they inflicted a vehement terror. Therefore, rushing upon our army, the battle-lines of the Turks sent in so great a multitude of arrows that, in the likeness of hail, they occupied the air, and in our legions scarcely could anyone be found free from a wound; and scarcely had the prior cloud descended from the bows when a following, discharged, was no less dense; if the former had left anything untouched, the second did not pass it by unscathed.

Nostri autem, quibus id pugnae genus erat incognitum, eoque minus tolerabile, quo et minus usu compertum, videntes quod equi eorum sine remedio deficerent, ipsique subitorum vulnerum, et quae non multum praecavere poterant, confixionibus interirent, gladiis et lancearum acumine in hostes irruendo, eos a se propellere satagebant. Illi autem irruentium pondus ferre non valentes, studiose dividebantur ab invicem, ut eorum impetus eluderent, et neminem sibi obviam habentes ad suos redirent, concepta spe delusi. Quibus ad suos infecto negotio redeuntibus, Turci denuo religabantur adinvicem, et immissa iterum in modum imbrium sagittarum multitudine, neminem pene absque lethali vulnere praeteribant.

Our men, however, to whom that kind of battle was unknown—and therefore the less tolerable, the less it had been proved by use—seeing that their horses were failing without remedy, and that they themselves were perishing from sudden wounds and piercings which they could not much forestall, were striving to drive them back from themselves by rushing upon the enemy with swords and the acumen of lances. But they, not able to bear the weight of those charging, assiduously separated themselves from one another, that they might elude their onset, and, finding no one in their path, returned to their own lines, deluded in the hope they had conceived. And as these, with the business left undone, returned to their own, the Turks were again bound together with one another, and, a multitude of arrows again let fly after the fashion of rains, they passed hardly anyone by without a lethal wound.

Resistebant tamen nostri quantum poterant loricis, cassidibus protecti et clypeis; sed equi eorum et inermis populus passim et sine delectu prosternebantur. Ceciderunt in eo conflictu viri ex utroque ordine memorabiles ad duo pene millia: inter quos egregiae indolis adolescens Willelmus marchionis filius, domini Tancredi frater, dum pro suis in agone desudat viriliter, sagitta confossus interiit. Robertus quoque Parisiensis, vir in armis strenuus, eodem mortis genere vitam finivit.

Nevertheless our men resisted as much as they were able, protected by cuirasses, helmets, and shields; but their horses and the unarmed populace were everywhere and indiscriminately prostrated. In that conflict nearly two thousand memorable men from both orders fell: among whom a youth of excellent disposition, William, the marquis’s son, brother of lord Tancred, while he sweats it out manfully in the agony for his own, was pierced through by an arrow and perished. Robert of Paris also, a man strenuous in arms, ended his life by the same kind of death.

Dominus quoque Tancredus, dum in mediis fulminat hostibus, vitae prodigus et suae conditionis immemor, vix a domino Boamundo mortis casibus, nolens et invitus violenter ereptus est. Invalescebant igitur hostium agmina, et nostris pene deficientibus, arcu ab humeris dependente, et ejus neglecto officio, gladiis instant cominus; ita ut dissolutis cohortibus, nostri fugam arriperent, ad sarcinas et impedimenta redeuntes: ubi circa currus et vehicula, sub arundineti densitate arbitrantes se aliquod invenire posse refugium, conglobati sunt.

Lord Tancred also, while he lightnings in the midst of the enemies, prodigal of life and forgetful of his own condition, was scarcely, unwilling and reluctant, violently snatched from the chances of death by Lord Bohemond. The battalions of the enemy therefore were waxing strong, and with our men almost failing, the bow hanging from their shoulders and its office neglected, they press at close quarters with swords; so that, the cohorts dissolved, our men took to flight, returning to the packs and impedimenta: where, around the carts and vehicles, beneath the density of a reed-bed, thinking they could find some refuge, they massed together.

CAPUT XV. Adsunt reliqui principes; fratribus oppressis subveniunt; vertitur in fugam Solimannus; perit ejus exercitus; nostri uberrima reportant spolia. Iterum unitur exercitus.

CHAPTER 15. The remaining princes are present; they succor the oppressed brothers; Solimannus is put to flight; his army perishes; our men bring back the most abundant spoils. The army is united again.

Dum igitur sic afficeretur fidelium exercitus, et domini Boamundi virtus prorsus collapsa deficeret, ecce viri illustres et magnifici, dux Godefridus, comes Raymundus, Hugo Magnus, Balduinus et Eustachius ducis fratres, et alii Deo devoti principes, deducentes secum optime armatorum equitum quadraginta millia, in castris suorum turbis pedestribus relictis cum omni genere impedimentorum, veloces advolant suis opem collaturi. Accedentibus vero eis ad castra domini Boamundi, iterum qui jam pene succubuerant, resumptis animis, et restitutis in integrum viribus, rursus ad certamen redeunt; et illatam quaerentes injuriam ulcisci, et priores redimere defectus, in hostes irruunt animosius; et gladiis instantes viriliter, quos prius quasi superiores horruerant, forti prosternunt dextera, jam resistere non valentes. Dominus vero Podiensis episcopus, cum aliis ejusdem officii comministris populos admonent, hortantur principes ne manus remittant; sed certi de victoria divinitus conferenda, interemptorum sanguinem ulciscantur, et de fidelium strage fidei hostes et nominis Christiani non patiantur diutius gloriari.

While therefore the army of the faithful was thus affected, and the valor of lord Bohemond, utterly collapsed, was failing, behold illustrious and magnificent men—Duke Godfrey, Count Raymond, Hugh the Great, Baldwin and Eustace, the duke’s brothers—and other princes devoted to God, leading with them forty thousand horsemen excellently armed, with their pedestrian crowds left in the camp together with every kind of impedimenta, swiftly fly to bring aid to their own. But as they drew near to the camp of lord Bohemond, those who had already almost succumbed, with spirits resumed and their strength restored in full, return again to the contest; and, seeking to avenge the injury inflicted and to redeem earlier failures, they rush more boldly upon the enemies; and, pressing them with swords manfully, those whom before they had dreaded as if superiors they lay low with a strong right hand, now no longer able to resist. But the lord bishop of Puy, with other co-ministers of the same office, admonishes the peoples; they exhort the princes not to slacken their hands, but, assured of a victory to be conferred divinely, to avenge the blood of the slain, and not to allow the enemies of the faith and of the Christian name to boast any longer over the slaughter of the faithful.

In his et hujusmodi populum incitabant ad congressum viri Dei, et vires quantas poterant eorum animis infundebant. Irruentes igitur nostri solito vehementius, et protervius instantes gladiis, dissolutis agminibus, non sine strage innumera, eos in fugam vertunt: fugientibus etiam tanta adhaerentes instantia, ut per tria aut quatuor milliaria ultra eorum castra, quae in valle opima locaverant, continuam ex eis caedem operantes, persequerentur. Unde eis cum multa confusione dispersis et interfectis quampluribus, reductis etiam captivis nonnullis, quos ex nostris violenter abductos trahebant secum, ad hostium castra reversi sunt: ubi reperientes infinitas auri et argenti copias, alimentorum quoque commoditates amplissimas, greges, armenta, asinorum turbas et jumentorum, camelorum quoque phalanges, quales prius nostri non viderant, et equos nonnullos, papiliones quoque et tentoria varii coloris, et formae inauditae; transferentes secum omnia, onusti spoliis uberrimis, praedam agentes et manubias, in castra reversi sunt sua.

By these and the like means the men of God incited the people to the engagement, and infused into their souls as much strength as they could. Therefore our men, rushing in more vehemently than usual, and pressing on with their swords more overboldly, with the enemy ranks dissolved, not without innumerable slaughter, turn them to flight: and, cleaving to the fugitives with such persistence, that for three or four miles beyond their camp, which they had pitched in a rich valley, working continuous slaughter upon them, they pursued. Whence, they being scattered with much confusion and very many slain, and with certain captives also brought back, whom they were dragging along with them, violently abducted from our men, they returned to the enemies’ camp: where, finding infinite stores of gold and silver, and likewise most ample conveniences of provisions, flocks, herds, throngs of asses and of pack-animals, and also phalanxes of camels such as our men had not seen before, and some horses, and also pavilions and tents of various color and of unheard-of form; transferring all with them, laden with most abundant spoils, carrying off booty and manubiae, they returned to their own camp.

Cecidisse dicuntur illa die de hostium numero viri potentes et inclyti, et apud suos locum maximum obtinentes, ad tria millia; de nostris vero popularibus, et plebe infima promiscui sexus, quatuor millia: nam de majoribus duos tantum ibi corruisse, veterum tradit memoria. Pugnatum est ibi ab hora diei secunda, usque in horam octavam, vario eventu, die Kalendarum Juliarum, viribus longe imparibus et numero multum dissimili. Nam qui Solimannum secuti fuerant, centum quinquaginta millium, solis connumeratis equitibus, dicebantur excedere numerum.

They are said to have fallen on that day, from the number of the enemy, men powerful and illustrious, and holding among their own the highest place, to the number of 3,000; but of our common countrymen, and of the lowest plebs of both sexes, 4,000: for of the men of higher rank, the memory of the ancients hands down that only 2 fell there. The fighting there lasted from the second hour of the day until the eighth hour, with the outcome varying, on the Kalends of July, with forces far unequal and numbers very dissimilar. For those who had followed Soliman were said to exceed the number of 150,000, counting the horsemen alone.

Nostrorum autem qui praesentes illo in tanto certamine desudarunt, vix fuit numerus equitum ad millia quinquaginta. Obtenta igitur divinitus tanta victoria, ut saucios, aliqua concessa requie, ad modicum refoverent, revocatis adinvicem exercitibus, tribus diebus continuis in locis amoenis et pascuis virentibus corpora curaverunt, et equorum habuerunt sollicitudinem, in omni alimentorum abundantia et infinitis copiis, quas hostes comportaverant, et reliquerant fugientes. Optime se habuerunt in eo tam periculoso discrimine, nostri majores principes; sed et quidam de mediocribus, Balduinus videlicet, de Burgo, Thomas de Feria, Reinaldus de Belvaco, Galo de Calvomonte, Guastus de Beders, Chirardus de Cheresi, perennem sibi gloriam in eodem facto pepererunt.

As for our men, however, who were present and sweated in that so great a contest, the number of horsemen was scarcely up to 50,000. A victory so great having been obtained divinely, that they might somewhat revive the wounded, some rest having been granted, with the armies mutually recalled, for three continuous days in pleasant places and in green pastures they cared for their bodies and had solicitude for the horses, amid every abundance of provisions and limitless supplies which the enemies had carried together and left behind in their flight. Our greater princes bore themselves most excellently in that so perilous crisis; but certain also of the men of middling rank—namely Baldwin, of Bourcq, Thomas of La Fère, Reynald of Beauvais, Galo of Calvomont, Guastus of Beders, Girard of Cheresi—brought forth for themselves perennial glory in the same deed.

Ab ea igitur die, communi decretum est consilio, quatenus de caetero junctis agminibus, indissolubili copula simul incederent, ut et adversa communicarent, et prosperis couterentur.

From that day, therefore, it was decreed by common counsel that henceforth, with their columns joined, they would advance together in an indissoluble bond, so that they might both share adversities and jointly enjoy successes.

CAPUT XVI. Pisidiam ingressae, prae aquarum inopia supra modum laborant legiones. Periclitatur miserabiliter exercitus.

CHAPTER 16. Having entered Pisidia, because of the scarcity of waters the legions labor beyond measure. The army is miserably imperiled.

Postquam ibi per triduum, ut praediximus, moram sibi et equis suis fecerunt necessaria, iterum monentibus lituis, ad iter se accingunt, viam inceptam continuaturi. Ubi transcursa universa Bithynia, Pisidiam ingressi sunt, inde viae quaerentes compendia, casu descenderunt in regionem arentem et inaquosam, in qua et caloris immoderati, qualem solet ardens Julius ministrare, et sitis importunae gemina fatigati molestia, coepit populus pene deficere, ita ut promiscui sexus illa die prae sitis anxietate et caumatis intemperantia, plus quam quingenti spiritum dicerentur exhalasse. Accidisse dicitur ea die, quae nulla alia tradit historia, quod praegnantes prae sitis angustia et caloris intemperie, ante tempus a natura decretum, fetus edere compellerentur: quos prae anxietate spiritus, quosdam vivos, exstinctos quosdam, alios etiam semineces in castra projiciebant; aliae ampliore abundantes humanitate, proles suas circumplexae, per vias volutabantur, et sexus oblitae feminei, arcana denudabant, magis pro instante mortis periculo sollicitae quam ut sexui debitam conservarent reverentiam.

After they there for three days, as we have fore-said, made the necessary halt for themselves and their horses, again, with the lituus-horns giving the warning, they gird themselves for the journey, to continue the road begun. When all Bithynia had been crossed, they entered Pisidia; thence, seeking compendia of the way, by chance they descended into a parched and waterless region, in which, wearied by the twin molestation both of immoderate heat, such as burning July is wont to furnish, and of importunate thirst, the people began almost to fail, so that persons of promiscuous sex on that day, from the anxiety of thirst and the intemperance of the heat-wave, were said to have exhaled the spirit to the number of more than 500. It is said to have happened that day, which no other history records, that pregnant women, by the straitness of thirst and the intemperance of the heat, were compelled to bring forth their offspring before the time decreed by nature: whom, because of shortness of breath, some alive, some dead, others even half-dead, they were casting into the camp; others, abounding in ampler humanity, their offspring embraced, were rolling themselves along the roads, and, forgetful of the female sex, were laying bare their secrets, being more anxious on account of the impending peril of death than to preserve the reverence due to their sex.

Sed et viris non multum proderat sexus robustior, qui sudore deficientes et calore, ore patulo et naribus aera captantes, contra sitis importunitatem quaerebant, quod invenire non poterant, humoris remedium. Nec solum homines his tantis erant subjecti periculis; verum et jumenta deputata sarcinis et alia quaelibet animantium genera, arefactis interioribus et vitalibus interclusis, sua negabant obsequia; sed nec avibus delicatis, quarum praeda et volatu solet recreari nobilitas, nisis, videlicet, accipitribus et herodiis, proderat cura dominorum, quibus inter manus flatum vitalem exhalabant. Catuli quoque naribus sagaces et apti venatibus, dominorum deliciae, relictis dominis quibus fideliter adhaerere consueverant, anhelantes et sitibundi passim per vias deficiebant: quodque his omnibus longe erat periculosius, equi fideles praeliorum consortes, et in quibus de propria salute dominis multa erat fiducia, quique et calce et dentibus suam prius protestabantur superbiam, urgente sitis et caloris immoderati periculo, quasi vilia deficiebant subjugalia.

But neither did the stronger sex profit much, the men who, failing from sweat and heat, with gaping mouth and nostrils snatching at the air, sought, against the importunity of thirst, the remedy of moisture which they could not find. Nor were men alone subject to such great perils; but even the beasts assigned to packs and any other kinds of living creatures, with their innards dried out and their vital parts shut off, refused their services; nor did the care of their masters avail the delicate birds, by whose prey and flight the nobility is wont to be refreshed, except for, namely, hawks and herons, which breathed out the vital breath in their owners’ hands. The hounds too, keen in their nostrils and apt for hunts, the delights of their masters, leaving the masters to whom they had been accustomed to cleave faithfully, panting and thirst-parched, here and there along the roads were failing: and what was far more perilous than all these, the faithful horses, companions in battles, in whom their lords had much confidence for their own safety, and who previously would proclaim their pride both with hoof and with teeth, under the pressure of thirst and the danger of immoderate heat, were failing as if they were cheap yoke-animals.

Tandem omnibus a tanta aquarum laborantibus inopia, misericorditer adfuit pater misericordiarum et Deus totius consolationis. Nam diu optatus et quaesitus multum inventus est fluvius: ad quem pervenientes, prae nimio desiderio certatim ad aquas properant; ubi, reperta aquarum pro votis copia, bibendi modum excedentes, in gravius descenderunt periculum. Nam plures qui sitis discrimen evaserant, sicut in talibus solet accidere, aviditate potus, modum non ponentes, mortem quam evasisse videbantur, in aquarum repererunt opulentia.

At length, while all were laboring from so great a scarcity of waters, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation mercifully came to their aid. For a river, long desired and much sought, was found; and, upon arriving at it, out of excessive desire they hastened, vying with one another, to the waters; where, the abundance of waters found according to their vows, exceeding the measure of drinking, they descended into graver peril. For many who had escaped the peril of thirst, as is wont to happen in such cases, through avidity for drink, setting no limit, in the opulence of waters found the death which they seemed to have escaped.

Nec solum de hominibus, verum et de jumentis multa eo casu ceciderunt. Tandem vero, opitulante Domino, his erepti periculis, in regionem copiosam satis et uberem, rivis, nemoribus et pascuis amoenissimam descenderunt; juxta Antiochiam minorem, quae praedictae Pisidiae metropolis esse dignoscitur, in locis pascuis castrametati.

Nor did many fall only from among men, but many also from the beasts of burden in that mishap. At length, however, the Lord lending aid, rescued from these dangers, they descended into a region sufficiently copious and fertile, most delightful with streams, groves, and pastures; near Lesser Antioch, which is recognized to be the metropolis of the aforesaid Pisidia, they encamped in pasture-lands.

CAPUT XVII. Dividuntur ab invicem quidam de principibus, et circumjacentes oberrant regiones. Dux cum urso dimicans pene occiditur.

CHAPTER 17. Certain of the princes are divided from one another, and they wander the circumjacent regions. The Duke, fighting with a bear, is nearly slain.

Hic primum quidam de principibus studiose ab exercitu separati sunt, seorsum particulares trahentes exercitus. Quorum primus fuit dominus Balduinus ducis frater, et cum eo Petrus comes de Stadeneis, Rainardus comes Tullensis, frater ejus, Balduinus de Burgo, Guillebertus de Monte claro, cum septingentis equitibus et pedestribus manipulis aliquot. Secundus fuit dominus Tancredus, et cum eo Richardus de principatu, Robertus de Ansa, et quidam alii viri nobiles, cum quingentis equitibus et peditibus etiam nonnullis.

Here for the first time certain of the princes were zealously separated from the army, drawing aside separate particular armies. The first of these was Lord Baldwin, the duke’s brother, and with him Peter, count of Stadeneis, Rainard, count of Toul, his brother Baldwin of Bourcq, Gilbert of Montclair, with seven hundred knights and several infantry maniples. The second was Lord Tancred, and with him Richard of the Principality, Robert of Ansa, and certain other noble men, with five hundred knights and also some footsoldiers.

Horum autem omnium unum atque idem erat propositum, vias praetentare, circumpositas explorare regiones, et fortunam experiri, rerumque eventum, qui pro loco et tempore occurreret, ad principum, qui eos miserant, referre notitiam, quo prudentius et magis sine discrimine proficisceretur exercitus. Qui a castris egressi, primum viam regiam non deserentes, urbes finitimas Iconium et Heracleam praetergressi, tandem in dextram declinantes, versus oram maritimam festinare coeperunt. Dux vero et alii principes, qui in castris remanserant, locorum in quibus castrametati fuerant, tracti amoenitate et vicinitate nemorum, ut sibi inter tot laborum difficultates, aliquid recreationis indulgerent, et curis edacibus, quibus angebantur continue, subtraherent, vel modicum, venandi gratia certatim saltus ingrediuntur, ubi variis semitis ad diversa rapti desideria, varios invenerunt rerum eventus.

But of all these one and the same purpose obtained: to pre-test the roads, to explore the circumposed regions, to try fortune, and to carry back notice of the outcome of things, as it should occur according to place and time, to the princes who had sent them, so that the army might proceed more prudently and more without peril. They, having gone out from the camp, at first not deserting the royal road, after passing by the neighboring cities Iconium and Heraclea, at length turning to the right, began to hasten toward the maritime shore. The Duke, however, and the other princes who had remained in the camp, drawn by the amenity of the places in which they had encamped and by the nearness of the groves, that they might indulge themselves with some recreation amid so many difficulties of labors and withdraw themselves, even a little, from the devouring cares by which they were continually tormented, for the sake of hunting vie with one another to enter the forest-glades; where, borne along by various paths toward different desires, they found diverse outcomes of things.

Inter quos dux etiam, recreationis gratia et exercitii silvas ingressus, in ursum immanissimi corporis et horrendi casu incidit. Qui, dum pauperem peregrinum ligna arida comportantem persequeretur atrocius, illoque vix refugium inveniret ante faciem subsequentis, et imminens multo clamore protestaretur periculum, forte dux adfuit, et, sicuti plurimus erat in compatiendo fratribus, velox irruit, opem laturus patienti. Videns ergo bellua ducem instantem gladio, spreto eo quem prius persequebatur, in hostem fortiorem se contulit, dente armatus et unguibus; tandemque equo dux periculose vulnerato, factus pedes, instat gladio nihilominus.

Among whom the duke also, entering the woods for the sake of recreation and exercise, by chance fell in with a bear of most immense body and horrendous. This creature, while it was more savagely pursuing a poor pilgrim transporting dry wood, and the man could scarcely find refuge before the face of the pursuer and, with much clamor, was proclaiming the imminent danger, the duke, by chance being at hand, and as he was most abundant in compassionating his brethren, swiftly rushed in, to bring aid to the sufferer. Therefore the beast, seeing the duke pressing on with a sword, scorning him whom it had previously pursued, turned itself upon the stronger enemy, armed with tooth and claws; and at length, with the duke’s horse dangerously wounded, being made afoot, he presses on with the sword nonetheless.

Ursus autem patulo rictu et murmure occurrens horrisono, ducis instantiam parvipendens, contempto gladio, nititur se cominus ingerere confligenti. Porro dux irruentem a se propulsans gladio, totis enitebatur viribus ut cum mucrone perforaret; verum ille, declinans gladium et brachiis complexum illigans, in solum nititur dejicere, ut sub se positum, dente et unguibus facilius possit laniare. Vere miles egregius gladium non deserens, sicuti vir robustissimus erat, laeva complexus belluam, dextra impingit aciem, et capulotenus immerso gladio, mortem ingerit colluctanti; saucius tamen et crure laesus periculosissime, cruentam nimis obtinuit victoriam.

But the bear, with gaping rictus and a horrisonant murmur rushing on, making small account of the duke’s pressing and, the sword despised, strives to thrust himself at close quarters upon his foe in conflict. The duke, on his part, driving back the one rushing at him with his sword, strove with all his forces to perforate with the point; but he, declining the blade and binding the clinging grip with his arms, strives to deject him to the ground, so that, placed beneath him, he might the more easily lacerate with tooth and claws. Truly a most distinguished soldier, not deserting his sword, as he was a most robust man, with his left he clasps the beast, with his right he drives in the edge, and, the sword plunged in to the hilt, he inflicts death on his wrestling foe; wounded, however, and in the leg most perilously hurt, he obtained an all too bloody victory.

Vulnere quippe gravatus, et nimia sanguinis debilitatus effluxione, solo decubans, se non poterat erigere. Tandem vero praedicto paupere, qui ejusdem ducis beneficio mortem evaserat, proclamante, et casum qui acciderat denuntiante legionibus, cucurrit illuc universus populus, ubi fortis athleta, exercituum patronus, laesus jacere dicebatur: quem lectica impositum cum universorum gemitu et lacrymis, reliqui principes in castra detulerunt, chirurgicorum adhibita sollicitudine, quorum opera et studio, convenientibus remediis, plenam posset salutem recipere.

Indeed, burdened by the wound, and debilitated by an excessive effluxion of blood, lying on the ground, he could not raise himself. At length, however, the aforesaid poor man—who by that same duke’s benefaction had escaped death—crying out and announcing to the legions the mishap that had occurred, the whole populace ran thither, where the brave athlete, the patron of the armies, was said to be lying wounded: him, placed upon a litter, with the groan and tears of all, the remaining princes bore to the camp, the solicitude of the surgeons being applied, by whose work and zeal, with suitable remedies, he might be able to receive full health.

CAPUT XVIII. Comes Tolosanus ad mortem infirmatur. Exercitus Lycaoniam pertransiens, Maresiam pervenit.

CHAPTER 18. The Count of Toulouse falls ill unto death. The army, passing through Lycaonia, arrives at Maresia.

Uxor Balduini moritur.

The wife of Baldwin dies.

Per idem tempus vir quoque magnificus et illustris dominus Raymundus Tolosanus comes, gravi correptus aegritudine, lectica similiter deferebatur: qui eo usque gravatus exstitit ut in terra depositus, quasi moriturus, pene spiritum exhalaret. Unde vir venerabilis dominus Willelmus Aurasicensis episcopus, quasi jam defuncto, fidelium animabus debita impendit obsequia. Sic ergo tantorum legiones, quasi destitutae consilio virorum, pene in desperationem conficiendi itineris et consummationis votorum descenderant; unde pro eorum statu plurimum solliciti omnes uno spiritu fusis lacrymis, ut restituerentur saluti Dominum precabantur.

At the same time as well, the magnificent and illustrious lord Raymond, Count of Toulouse, seized by a grave sickness, was likewise being carried in a litter: and he was so weighed down that, laid upon the ground as though about to die, he almost breathed out his spirit. Whence the venerable man, lord William, Bishop of Orange, as if for one already deceased, bestowed the obsequies due to the souls of the faithful. Thus, therefore, the legions of such great men, as though bereft of the counsel of their leaders, had nearly descended into despair of completing the journey and the consummation of their vows; wherefore, being most anxious for their condition, all with one spirit and tears poured forth, were praying the Lord that they might be restored to health.

Fiebantque orationes in celebratione divinorum, pro eis ab universa illa peregrinante ecclesia: quorum supplicationes et desideria miserator Dominus clementer exaudiens, sospitati eos et plenae convalescentiae, supplicantis populi vota benigno favore prosequens, restituit. Transcursa igitur Pisidia, Lycaoniam ingressi, Iconum ejusdem regionis metropolim pervenerunt: quam vacuam reperientes, alimentorum maximam penuriam passi sunt. Turci enim, nostrorum adventu cognito, in nulla urbium suarum resistendi habebant fiduciam; sed expoliatis urbibus et vastata regione universa, cum uxoribus et liberis, gregibus et armentis, et omnimoda substantia ad montes confugiebant impervios in eo solo spem habentes, quod nostri alimentorum inopia fatigati, eorum pertransire regiones maturarent.

And prayers were being made in the celebration of the divine rites, for them by that whole peregrinating Church: whose supplications and desires the Pitying Lord, mercifully hearing, restored them to health and full convalescence, seconding with kindly favor the vows of the supplicating people. Pisidia therefore having been traversed, entering Lycaonia they arrived at Iconium, the metropolis of the same region: finding it empty, they suffered a very great penury of provisions. For the Turks, once the arrival of our people was known, had no confidence to resist in any of their cities; but, the cities despoiled and the entire region laid waste, with their wives and children, flocks and herds, and every sort of substance they fled to pathless mountains, having hope in this alone: that our men, wearied by want of provisions, would hasten to pass through their regions.

Neque hac sua sunt opinione delusi, cum nostri regionis sterilitatem fugientes, et victus defectum, quantum poterant iter accelerare properabant. Inde Heracleam pertranseuntes, ad urbem Marasiam applicati, castrametati sunt, moram ibi per triduum continuum facientes. Ubi domini Balduini, germani ducis, longa et gravi fatigata aegritudine uxor, quam ipse abiens fratribus commendaverat, ex praesenti luce vocata, optimo fine quievit in Domino.

Nor were they deluded in this their opinion, since our men, fleeing the sterility of the region and the defect of victuals, were hastening to accelerate the journey as much as they were able. Thence, passing through Heraclea, having approached the city Marasia, they encamped, making a delay there for a continuous three-day period. There the wife of lord Baldwin, the duke’s brother, worn out by a long and grave sickness—whom he, departing, had commended to his brothers—called from the present light, with the best end rested in the Lord.

Erat autem nobilis matrona, ex Anglia trahens originem, Gutuera nomine, vita et moribus commendabilis: quam cum honestis exsequiis ibidem sepelierunt.

She was, moreover, a noble matron, deriving her origin from England, by the name Gutuera, commendable in life and morals: whom they buried there with honorable obsequies.

CAPUT XIX. Tancredus in Ciliciam descendens, Tarsum obsidet. Balduinum ducis fratrem ad easdem partes venientem honeste suscipit.

CHAPTER 19. Tancred, descending into Cilicia, besieges Tarsus. He honorably receives Baldwin, the duke’s brother, coming to the same regions.

Interea vir per omnia commendabilis dominus Tancredus, primus in Ciliciam, viarum casu secutus compendia, perveniens, Tarsum, ejusdem provinciae metropolim, cum iis qui eum secuti fuerant, obsederat. Est autem Cilicia una de provinciis quae in Oriente continentur. Orientem autem Antiochenam, juxta veterum auctoritatem vocamus dioecesim.

Meanwhile, the lord Tancred, a man in all respects commendable, being the first to reach Cilicia, having followed by the chance of the roads the shortcuts, on arriving had besieged Tarsus, the metropolis of the same province, with those who had followed him. Now Cilicia is one of the provinces which are contained in the East. And the Antiochene East, according to the authority of the ancients, we call a diocese.

Habetque Cilicia ab oriente Celessyriam, ab occidente vero Isauriam; a septentrione Tauri montis juga; ab austro vero, mare Cypricum, sive Myrtoum. Continet autem infra se duos metropoles, Tarsum videlicet, doctoris gentium patriam et natale domicilium, de qua nobis in praesenti est sermo, et Anavarzam, utramque cum suis suffraganeis urbibus: unde duae potius dicuntur Ciliciae, prima et secunda. Tarsum autem fundasse dicitur Tarsis, secundus filiorum Japhan, filii Japhet, filii Noe tertii, sicut veterum habent traditiones, et argumento est urbis a vocabulo conditoris denominatio.

And Cilicia has on the east Coele Syria, on the west indeed Isauria; on the north the ridges of Mount Taurus; on the south, for its part, the Cyprian sea, or the Myrtoan. Moreover, it contains within itself two metropolises, namely Tarsus, the homeland and natal domicile of the teacher of the Gentiles, about which our discourse is at present, and Anavarza, each with its suffragan cities: whence they are rather called the two Cilicias, first and second. But Tarsus is said to have been founded by Tarsis, the second of the sons of Japhan, son of Japhet, the third son of Noah, as the traditions of the ancients have it; and the city’s denomination from the founder’s name is an argument for this.

Solinus tamen de urbis conditore aliter sentit, dicens ita in quadragesimo tertio capitulo De memorabilibus: Cilicia matrem urbium habet Tarsum, quam Danae proles nobilissimus Perseus locavit. Hanc urbem intersecat Cydnus amnis; hunc alii praecipitari Tauro monte, alii derivari ex alveo Hydaspi tradiderunt. Et potest tamen utrumque verum esse, et quod Tharsis primus eam fundaverit, et quod postmodum eam reparaverit, vel ampliaverit Perseus. Ubi cum dies aliquot dominus Tancredus et sui in eodem perseverassent negotio, cives ad hoc compulerat, et minis et blandis suasionibus, quod, introducto ejus vexillo et super turrim eminentiorem locato, signum deditionis futurae fecisse viderentur; ea tamen conditione, ut usque adventum domini Boamundi et majoris exercitus, eos conservaret indemnes; nec a propriis domiciliis interim demigrare, aut sua deserere praedia invitos compelleret; ipsi autem eidem advenienti, urbem sine difficultate resignarent: quod verbum domino Tancredo bonum visum est et acceptum.

Solinus, however, thinks otherwise about the city’s founder, saying thus in the forty-third chapter of On Memorable Things: Cilicia counts Tarsus as the mother of cities, which the most noble Perseus, offspring of Danaë, established. This city is intersected by the river Cydnus; some have reported that it is hurled headlong from Mount Taurus, others that it is diverted from the channel of the Hydaspes. And yet both can be true: both that Tharsis first founded it, and that afterward Perseus repaired or enlarged it. There, when for several days Lord Tancred and his men had persevered in the same business, he had compelled the citizens to this, both by threats and by gentle persuasions: that, his banner having been brought in and placed upon the more eminent tower, they seemed to have made a sign of a future surrender; on this condition, however, that until the arrival of Lord Bohemond and the larger army, he would preserve them unharmed; and that meanwhile he would not compel them, unwilling, to move away from their own homes or to abandon their estates; but that they themselves, upon his arrival, would resign the city without difficulty: which proposal seemed good and was accepted by Lord Tancred.

Erat autem praedicta civitas, sicut et reliqua universa regio, Christianos habens habitatores, Armenos videlicet et Graecos, exceptis paucis, qui usum et auctoritatem habentes militiae, munitionibus praeerant, populum violenta dominatione prementes; fidelibus autem militare non permittebatur, sed negotiationibus et agriculturae dabant operam. Interea dominus Balduinus ducis frater, cum his qui secum advenerant, devia secutus, maximam victus pertulerat inopiam, tandemque post multos errorum circuitus in montis verticem casu se contulit, unde subjectam Ciliciae regionem, cum suis urbibus usque ad mare prospectu libero posset intueri. Qui, postquam circa Tarsum castra esse cognovit, hostium ratus tabernacula, iter suum coepit habere suspectum; experiri tamen volens, cujus esset illa regio, et cujus castra, quae de remoto conspexerat, animositate solita, cum omni suo comitatu ad campestria descenderat.

But the aforesaid city, as also the whole remaining region, had Christian inhabitants—namely Armenians and Greeks—except for a few who, having the use and authority of the soldiery, were set over the fortifications, pressing the people with violent domination; to the faithful, however, it was not permitted to serve in arms, but they applied themselves to trade and agriculture. Meanwhile Lord Baldwin, the duke’s brother, with those who had come with him, following byways, had endured a very great want of victuals, and at length, after many circuits of wanderings, by chance betook himself to the summit of a mountain, whence he could, with an unimpeded prospect, behold the region of Cilicia lying beneath, with its cities as far as the sea. He, after he learned that there were camps around Tarsus, thinking the tents to be the enemy’s, began to hold his route as suspect; yet wishing to make trial whose that region was, and whose the camps which he had seen from afar, with his customary boldness he descended with all his retinue to the level plains.

At vero dominus Tancredus, praemonitus ab his quos in speculis sublimioribus locaverat, hostium praecavens insidias, socios convocans, arma corripit: et hostium ratus agmina, quae urbi vellent subsidia ministrare, occurrit eis imperterritus, fiduciam habens in Domino; et erectis vexillis, suos exhortatione corroborans, procedit advenientibus obviam. Postquam vero utrinque mutuo sibi occurrentes et contemplantes se de vicino, arma cognoscunt non esse hostilia, confidentius accedentes, in mutuos ruunt amplexus; et post gratas ad invicem confabulationes, junctis agminibus ad urbem redeunt, obsidionem continuaturi. Ubi a domino Tancredo multum hospitaliter et plena charitate suscepti, de gregibus et armentis, quae de adjacente contraxerat regione, honestum ea nocte habuerunt convivium.

But indeed lord Tancred, forewarned by those whom he had stationed on the loftier lookout-posts, forestalling the enemy’s ambushes, summoning his comrades, snatches up arms; and, supposing the columns to be those of the enemy, who would wish to minister succor to the city, he meets them unterrified, having confidence in the Lord; and with standards raised, strengthening his men by exhortation, he advances to go to meet the newcomers. But after, on both sides, as they ran together and, beholding one another from close at hand, they recognize that the arms are not hostile, approaching more confidently they rush into mutual embraces; and after pleasant confabulations with one another, with ranks joined they return to the city, to continue the siege. There, by lord Tancred, they were received very hospitably and with full charity, and from the flocks and herds which he had gathered from the adjacent region, they had that night a seemly banquet.

CAPUT XX. Balduinus Tancredi vexillum de arce civitatis dejici mandat; suum ibidem locat. Tancredus indignatus recedit. Guelfo Adamam occupat.

CHAPTER 20. Baldwin orders Tancred’s standard to be cast down from the citadel of the city; he places his own there. Tancred, indignant, withdraws. Guelf occupies Adama.

Mane autem facto, videntes dominus Balduinus et qui cum eo erant domini Tancredi vexillum in superiore civitatis arce locatum, invidiae stimulis agitati, professionis immemores (qua, velut uterini fratres, quanto tempore incesserant, habentes unanimitatem spiritus in vinculo pacis, usi fuerant, et perpetuo decreverant utendum, indignati sunt quod, eis praesentibus, qui multo fortiores et majores haberent copias, signa sua in urbem immittere praesumpsisset. Dominus vero Tancredus eorum, sicut modestus erat, indignationem mitigare cupiens, allegabat quod de ejus vexillo factum fuerat minime in eorum redundare ignominiam: nam ante eorum adventum et adventus spem aliquam, eas cum civibus in virtute sua obtinuerat conditiones. Dominus autem Balduinus, suggerentibus sociis, et ad id pro posse instigantibus, causae meritum non distinguens; sed praeter debitum suo ductus spiritu, verbis procacibus dominum exacerbans Tancredum, rem eo arroganter deduxit, ut pene arma in se converterent, stragem mutuam operantes.

But when morning came, Lord Baldwin and those who were with him, seeing Lord Tancred’s vexillum placed on the upper citadel of the city, goaded by the stings of envy, forgetful of their profession (by which, like uterine brothers, for as long as they had marched, having unanimity of spirit in the bond of peace, they had been used to act, and had decreed it should be observed perpetually, were indignant that, with them present—who had far stronger and larger forces—he had presumed to send his standards into the city. But Lord Tancred, as he was modest, wishing to mitigate their indignation, alleged that what had been done regarding his vexillum in no way redounded to their ignominy: for before their arrival and any hope of their arrival, he had, by his own valor, obtained those conditions with the citizens. But Lord Baldwin, with his companions prompting and urging it to the utmost, not distinguishing the merit of the cause; but, led by his own spirit beyond what was due, exasperating Lord Tancred with saucy words, drove the matter so arrogantly that they almost turned their weapons upon each other, working mutual slaughter.

Factumque est ut civibus ad se vocatis publice minaretur; quod nisi Tancredi vexillum deponerent, et suum loco illius erigerent, invito eo qui eis securitatem promiserat, urbem et suburbana in gyrum omnia traderet exterminio. Videntes porro cives quod Balduini multo majores essent copiae, et virtus longe praestantior, sub eisdem conditionibus et pactorum forma, quam prius domino Tancredo pepigerant, dejecto priore, domini Balduini in eadem arce locaverunt vexillum. Quod videns dominus Tancredus, tanta confusus injuria, merito concepit indignationem; sed saniore consilio, et pia longanimitate, motum animi temperans, timens ne periculosa nimis inter fidelium acies oriretur dissensio, solutis castris, ad urbem vicinam, cui nomen Adana, se contulit.

And it came to pass that, the citizens having been called to him, he publicly threatened; that unless they should depose Tancred’s banner and erect his own in the place of that, against the will of him who had promised them security, he would deliver the city and all the suburbs round about to extermination. Moreover, seeing that Baldwin’s forces were much greater, and his virtue far more preeminent, under the same conditions and the form of the pacts which they had previously covenanted with lord Tancred, the former being cast down, they placed lord Baldwin’s banner in the same citadel. Which when lord Tancred saw, confounded by so great an injury, he rightly conceived indignation; but by sounder counsel, and with pious longanimity, tempering the movement of his spirit, fearing lest a dissension too perilous should arise among the battle-lines of the faithful, after breaking camp he betook himself to a neighboring city, whose name is Adana.

Ad quam perveniens, non est permissus introire: obtinuerat enim eamdem civitatem quidam Guelfo, natione Burgundio, qui cum aliis a majore divisus exercitu, turbas seorsum traxerat; et ad civitatem illam casu perveniens, ejectis inde Turcorum copiis, eam violenter occupaverat. Audiens igitur dominus Tancredus, quod in nostrorum potestatem urbs praedicta, auctore Domino, pervenerat, missis nuntiis gratia hospitandi et emendi vitae necessaria, implorat a praedicto domino urbis aditum sibi et sociis reserari: quibus admissis, cuncta vitae necessaria tam sibi quam equis, partim gratis, partim interveniente pretio, ministrata sunt sufficienter. Repererat enim Guelfo praedictus, eamdem urbem auro et argento, gregibus et armentis, frumento, vino et oleo, et omni commoditate redundantem.

Arriving at which, he was not permitted to enter: for that same city had been obtained by a certain Guelf, a Burgundian by nation, who, separated from the larger army with others, had drawn forces apart in separate bands; and, coming to that city by chance, after ejecting from there the forces of the Turks, had violently occupied it. Hearing therefore, lord Tancred, that the aforesaid city had come, by the Lord as author, into the power of our men, sent messengers for the sake of being hosted and of buying the necessaries of life, and implored that access for himself and his companions be unbarred by the aforesaid lord of the city: and when they were admitted, all the necessaries of life, both for himself and for the horses, were ministered sufficiently, partly gratis, partly with a price intervening. For the aforesaid Guelf had found that same city abounding in gold and silver, in flocks and herds, in grain, wine and oil, and in every commodity.

CAPUT XXI. Tancredus Mamistram in eadem regione violenter obtinet.

CHAPTER 21. Tancred violently seizes Mamistra in the same region.

At vero dominus Tancredus summo diluculo urbem ingressus, viam secutus regiam, et iter accelerans, cum omni suo comitatu Mamistram pervenit. Erat autem Mamistra una de nobilibus ejusdem provinciae civitatibus, turribus et muro, et multorum incolatu insignis; sed et opimo agro, et gleba ubere, et amoenitate praecipua commendabilis. Juxta quam castrametatus, infra paucos dies continuis assultibus et jugi congressione urbem impugnans, auctore Domino, interemptis infidelibus, qui in ea reperti sunt, occupavit violenter.

But indeed Lord Tancred, entering the city at the very break of day, following the royal road and hastening the journey, came with all his retinue to Mamistra. Now Mamistra was one of the noble cities of the same province, distinguished by its towers and wall, and by a multitude of inhabitants; and commendable as well for its rich farmland, fertile soil, and exceptional pleasantness. Having encamped near it, within a few days, by continual assaults and an unremitting engagement, attacking the city, with the Lord as author, after the infidels who were found in it were slain, he seized it by force.

Ubi etiam infinitas divitiarum copias, et alimentorum ubertatem reperiens omnimodam, portiones suis congruas; pro meritorum qualitate distribuens, locupletavit universos: in qua defectus victualium quem pertulerant, grata redimentes opulentia, sibi, equis et subjugalibus universis pastum benignius indulserunt, otio simul et alimentis corpora recreantes.

Where also, finding boundless stores of riches and an all‑kinds abundance of provisions, distributing portions fitting to his own according to the quality of their merits, he enriched them all: therein, redeeming the deficiency of victuals which they had endured with welcome opulence, they more generously indulged fodder for themselves, the horses, and all the draught‑animals, restoring their bodies with leisure and with sustenance alike.

CAPUT XXII. Balduinus Tarsum occupat. Trecenti de nostris casu miserabili, ante portam urbis pereunt.

CHAPTER 22. Baldwin occupies Tarsus. Three hundred of our men, by a miserable mishap, perish before the gate of the city.

Verum dominus Balduinus, post discessum domini Tancredi, iterum Tarsenses frequentius commonet, et monitis potenter minas permiscens, urbem sibi praecipit aperiri et suum intromitti comitatum. Non enim honestum ei videbatur quod usque ad adventum exercitus ita tereret otium, et sederet inutiliter occupatus. Videntes autem cives quod Tancredus ei resistere non potuerat, et quod si id detrectarent, cominus urbem esset impugnaturus, facientes de necessitate virtutem, et de propriis viribus diffidentes, portas aperiunt, domino Balduino cum universo comitatu ejus introducto.

But lord Baldwin, after lord Tancred’s departure, again more frequently admonishes the Tarsians, and, powerfully mixing threats with counsels, commands that the city be opened to him and that his retinue be admitted. For it did not seem honorable to him thus to waste idleness until the army’s arrival, and to sit uselessly occupied. But the citizens, seeing that Tancred had not been able to resist him, and that, if they refused this, he would attack the city at close quarters, making a virtue out of necessity, and distrusting their own strength, open the gates, lord Baldwin with his entire retinue being brought in.

Designaverunt autem eidem turres geminas quas interim possideret, reliquis ejus consortibus per civitatem promiscue in domibus fidelium hospitio susceptis. Turci vero qui praeerant urbi, alias adhuc in sua potestate turres detinebant. Et licet plures essent, et majora civitatis munimina tranquille adhuc possiderent, tamen suspectam habentes nostrorum quos introduxerant societatem, subsidii quoque spem nullam habentes, opportunitatem quaerebant quomodo cum uxoribus et liberis et omnimoda substantia sua clam possent egredi.

They designated to him, moreover, the twin towers which he might meanwhile possess, the rest of his companions throughout the city being received without distinction with hospitality in the houses of the faithful. But the Turks who presided over the city still held other towers in their own power. And although they were more numerous, and still peacefully possessed the greater fortifications of the city, nevertheless, holding in suspicion the fellowship of our men whom they had introduced, and having no hope of succor, they were seeking an opportunity how they might be able to go out secretly with their wives and children and with their substance of every kind.

Accidit autem quod eadem nocte viri trecenti de expeditione domini Boamundi Tancredum sequentes, ad urbem pervenerunt praedictam, quibus de mandato Balduini urbis interdictus est introitus. Illi autem longo fatigati itinere, rebus vacui necessariis, multa precum instantia urbis precabantur hospitalitatem, et alimentorum commercium: pro quibus etiam qui interius erant, inferioris manus homines, compatientes fratribus, cum preces porrigerent, non sunt admissi, eo quod de familia dicerentur esse Boamundi, et in Tancredi festinarent auxilium. Populus tamen interior a fraterna non deficiens compassione, cum egredi non valeret, in sportis panem, in utribus vinum per murum funibus porrigentes, sufficienter ministraverunt unde noctem illam possent transigere.

It happened, moreover, that on the same night three hundred men from the expedition of lord Bohemond, following Tancred, arrived at the aforesaid city, to whom by the mandate of Baldwin the entry of the city was interdicted. They, however, wearied by a long journey, void of necessary things, with much urgency of prayers were begging the city for hospitality and the commerce of foodstuffs; for whom also those who were within, men of the lower hand, sympathizing with their brothers, when they extended petitions, were not admitted, because they were said to be of the household of Bohemond and were hastening to Tancred’s aid. The people within, nonetheless, not failing in fraternal compassion, since they could not go out, by ropes over the wall handing out bread in baskets and wine in wineskins, ministered sufficiently so that they might get through that night.

Ibi ergo ante civitatis portam secundum quod poterant se locantes, quoniam intrare non permittebantur, quieverunt. Nocte vero eadem, cum se tam qui intrinsecus erant quam exteriores sopori dedissent, et circa intempestum silentium grata perfruerentur requie, accidit quod Turci, et alii qui in civitate erant infideles cum uxoribus et liberis, servis et ancillis, et omni supellectile, apertis portis, clam et eum silentio egredientes, urbem deserunt: non enim satis bene cum suis quos receperant hospitibus, poterant convenire, suspectam habentes eorum cohabitationem; egredi autem eis erat liberum: nam civitatis unam vel duas portas habebant in sua potestate; sed, ut cruentam hostibus post se relinquerent victoriam, praemissis sarcinis et impedimentis omnibus, eos quos extra portam repererunt somno gravatos, pene omnes interficiunt.

There therefore before the city’s gate, placing themselves as they could, since they were not permitted to enter, they rested. But on that same night, when both those who were within and those outside had given themselves to sleep, and, about the dead-of-night silence, were enjoying welcome repose, it happened that the Turks, and the other infidels who were in the city, with wives and children, slaves and handmaids, and all household furnishings, the gates being opened, secretly and in silence going out, abandon the city: for they could not agree well enough with the guests whom they had received, holding their cohabitation as suspect; moreover, it was free for them to go out: for they had one or two of the city’s gates in their power; but, so that they might leave behind them to the enemies a bloody victory, their packs and all impediments sent on ahead, those whom they found outside the gate weighed down with sleep, almost all they slay.

CAPUT XXIII. Populus contra Balduinum arma corripit; sed tandem sedatur. Classis quaedam apud Tarsum applicat virorum occidentalium.

CHAPTER 23. The populace takes up arms against Baldwin; but is at length calmed. A certain fleet of Western men puts in at Tarsus.

Mane facto, cum jam se lux adulta infunderet, surgentes qui in civitate quieverant, urbem reperiunt vacuam: et clandestinam admirantes hostium fugam, moenia perlustrant et aditus, quaerentes diligenter qua parte fuerint egressi: dumque singula diligenter discutiunt, stragem reperiunt quam in servos Christi Turci abeuntes exercuerant. Unde gravi dolore percussi, et moerore consternati debito, in lamenta se dederunt; divisique ab invicem, secunda classis contra dominum Balduinum et majores arma corripiunt, fratrum eis necem imputantes et interitum, eo quod hospitalitatis gratiam, quae ad omnes merito se porrigit indigentes, viae consortibus denegassent. Unde facto impetu, in primates suos justa indignatione commotus irruit populus; et nisi se in turres sublimiores contulissent, satis aequipollente numero stragem exteriorem in suis majoribus recompensassent.

Morning having come, when now the full light was pouring itself in, those who had rested in the city, rising, find the city empty: and, marveling at the clandestine flight of the enemies, they traverse the walls and the approaches, carefully seeking by what part they had gone out: and while they examine each thing diligently, they discover the carnage which the departing Turks had wrought upon the servants of Christ. Whence, smitten with heavy sorrow, and duly confounded with mourning, they gave themselves to laments; and, divided from one another, the second class take up arms against lord Baldwin and the greater men, imputing to them the murder and destruction of their brethren, on the ground that the grace of hospitality, which with good right extends itself to all who are in need, they had denied to their companions of the way. Wherefore, an onset having been made, the people, stirred with just indignation, rushed upon their primates; and, unless they had betaken themselves into higher towers, with a number sufficiently equal they would have requited the outer slaughter upon their own magnates.

Tandem turba cognita, et schismate, quod ex justa causa exortum erat in populo, jam ingravescente, sollicitus elaborare coepit quomodo sedaretur tumultus, sed apud populum excusando. Postquam igitur pace ad tempus impetrata, et indicto silentio, arma sustinens, quievit aliquantulum turba pedestris, pro se allegare coepit, ut se innocentem assereret, jurans et obtestans quod non ob aliam causam eos a civitate arcuerat, nisi quia neminem se admissurum usque ad adventum ducis fide promiserat interposita. Unde factum est quod per quorumdam ex nobilibus interventum, blandis persuasionibus, sed pro tempore et loco necessariis, sedatus ad modicum quievit populus, ipso plebi reconciliato.

At length, the crowd being understood, and the schism, which had arisen from a just cause among the people, now growing heavier, he anxiously began to work how the tumult might be soothed, namely by excusing himself before the people. After, therefore, peace for the time having been obtained, and silence proclaimed, the foot-soldier throng, holding their arms, grew somewhat quiet; he began to plead for himself, to assert himself innocent, swearing and calling to witness that he had kept them away from the city for no other cause, except that he had promised, with pledged faith interposed, that he would admit no one until the duke’s arrival. Whence it came about that, through the intervention of certain of the nobles, by gentle persuasions—yet necessary for the time and the place—the people, being calmed, grew quiet for a little, he himself being reconciled to the plebs.

Dumque ibi sopitis scandalis per dies aliquot in omni tranquillitate sedissent, ecce classis visa est in pelago, vix tribus milliaribus distans ab urbe: ad quam ex utroque ordine tam equites quam pedites certatim properantes, ad mare descendunt: ubi de littore mutuo sibi colloquentes, cognoverunt per eorumdem relationem, quod Christianae professionis essent homines. Interrogati autem de patria, responderunt, quod a Flandria, Hollandia, Frisonia, in quibus partibus piraticam annis octo exercuerant; tandem compuncti corde et delictorum suorum poenitentes, orationis gratia, ut ad Hierosolymam proficiscerentur, in hoc mare descenderant. Cognito autem quod viri fideles essent, eos ad portum invitant, et datis dextris in osculo pacis susceptos, classe in tuto locata, usque ad Tarsum perduxerunt.

And while there, with the scandals lulled to sleep, they had sat for several days in all tranquillity, behold, a fleet was seen on the deep, scarcely 3 miles distant from the city: to it, from both orders, both horse and foot hastening in rivalry, they go down to the sea; where, from the shore, speaking with them mutually, they learned from their report that they were men of the Christian profession. Asked, moreover, about their homeland, they answered that they were from Flanders, Holland, Frisia, in which regions they had practiced piracy for 8 years; at length, compunct in heart and penitent for their misdeeds, for the sake of prayer, that they might set out to Jerusalem, they had descended upon this sea. When it was learned, however, that they were faithful men, they invite them to the port, and, right hands given in the kiss of peace, having welcomed them and the fleet placed in safety, they led them as far as Tarsus.

Erat autem quidam eorum primicerius Guinemerus nomine, de pago Boloniensi, de terra comitis Eustachii, patris domini Godefridi. Hic postquam dominum Balduinum cognovit, sciens quia domini sui filius esset, relicta classe, cum eodem Hierosolymam ire disposuit, erat autem dives admodum, ex illa arte pessima quam diu exercuerat, factus locupletior, et multos habens in suo obsequio, quos ex parte plurima secum trahens, eum sequi decrevit. Unde ordinata ex utriusque comitatu quingentorum virorum urbi sufficiente custodia, iterum procedere et tentare fortunam disposuerunt.

Now there was a certain one of them, a primicerius named Guinemer, from the pagus of Boulogne, from the land of Count Eustace, father of lord Godfrey. He, after he recognized lord Baldwin, knowing that he was the son of his lord, having left the fleet, resolved to go with him to Jerusalem; moreover he was very rich, made more opulent from that worst art which he had long practiced, and having many in his service, whom for the most part drawing with him, he decided to follow him. Whence, a guard for the city sufficient of 500 men having been arranged from the retinue of each, they resolved again to proceed and to try their fortune.

CAPUT XXIV. Balduinus, Tarso capta, Mamistram venit. Pugnant invicem ipse et Tancredus; sed mox reconciliantur.

CHAPTER 24. Baldwin, with Tarsus taken, comes to Mamistra. He and Tancred fight each other; but soon they are reconciled.

Proficiscentibus ergo illis, et viam regiam non deserentibus, contigit pervenire Mamistram, quam paulo ante, ut praediximus, dominus Tancredus violenter occupaverat, et in manu forti detinebat occupatam: quo pervenientes, arbitrati quod in urbem minime reciperentur, extra in pomoeriis hospitati sunt. Tancredus vero audiens quod Balduinus juxta urbem sua castra locasset, iratus admodum, memor injuriarum quas ab eodem immeritus pertulerat, infremuit spiritu; et ira succensus, suos ad arma convocat, paratus de omnibus quae ille intulerat, vicem rependere condignam. Praemissis itaque nonnullis sagittariis, qui eorum equos per pascua dispersos sauciarent, aut secum deducerent comprehensos, ipse subito cum quingentis loricatis equitibus in eorum castra irruens, antequam possent arma corripere, omnes pene contriverat.

Therefore, as they set out and did not desert the royal road, it befell that they came to Mamistra, which a little before, as we have foretold, Lord Tancred had violently occupied and was holding seized with a strong hand: on arriving there, thinking that they would by no means be received into the city, they lodged outside, in the pomeria. But Tancred, hearing that Baldwin had pitched his camp near the city, being very angry, mindful of the injuries which he had undeservedly borne from the same, growled in spirit; and, inflamed with ire, he convoked his men to arms, prepared to repay a condign return for all that the other had inflicted. Accordingly, having sent ahead some archers to wound their horses scattered through the pastures, or to lead them off with them when apprehended, he himself suddenly, with 500 cuirassed horsemen, rushing into their camp, had almost crushed them all before they could seize their arms.

Tandem vero illis arma corripientibus, et ad resistendum paratis, fit conflictus asperior, parte utraque decertante protervius: factumque est ita ut, confligentibus inter se nimis hostiliter aciebus, plures ceciderint, nonnullis etiam ex utraque parte retentis. Tandem vero domini Tancredi manus impar viribus et numero, pondus certaminis ferre non valens diutius, terga dedit fugiens, in urbem se receptura. Erat autem inter urbem praedictam et castra domini Balduini fluvius, super quem pons erat valde angustus: quo dum in urbem redire domini Tancredi properaret familia, pontis angustia impedimentum ministrante, interierunt ex utroque ordine plures, aliis infra urbem se recipientibus.

At length, however, when they seized their arms and were prepared to resist, a harsher conflict ensued, each party contending the more protervially; and it came to pass that, the battle-lines clashing with one another most hostilely, many fell, and some also on both sides were detained. At last, indeed, the band of lord Tancred, unequal in strength and in number, not able longer to bear the weight of the contest, turned its back in flight, intending to take refuge in the city. Now between the aforesaid city and the camp of lord Baldwin there was a river, over which there was a very narrow bridge: and while the household of lord Tancred hastened by that way to return into the city, the narrowness of the bridge supplying an impediment, many from both ranks perished, others taking refuge within the city.

Et fortasse majora utrinque ardentibus odiis passi forent dispendia, nisi nox conflictum dirimens irruisset. Capti sunt ibi de comitatu domini Tancredi Richardus de Principatu, ejus consanguineus, et Robertus de Ansa, viri nobiles et praeclari, quorum persuasionibus et stimulis ad praedictam dominus Tancredus convolaverat ultionem. De familia vero domini Balduini captus est vir praeclarus et nobilis, Gilleberus de Monteclaro: pro quorum absentia, turbatae sunt plurimum hinc inde acies, arbitrantes quod in hesternis congressionibus vita decessissent.

And perhaps greater losses would have been suffered on both sides, with hatreds burning, had not night, severing the conflict, rushed in. There were captured there from the retinue of lord Tancred Richard of the Principate, his kinsman, and Robert of Ansa, noble and very distinguished men, at whose persuasions and goadings lord Tancred had hastened to the aforesaid vengeance. From the household of lord Baldwin, moreover, there was captured a very distinguished and noble man, Gillebert of Monteclaro: on account of whose absence the battle-lines on this side and that were greatly disturbed, supposing that in yesterday’s encounters they had departed life.

Luce demum postera sole oriente restituta, detumescentibus odiis et indignatione aliquantulum mitigata, professionis suae memores, ad cor, respiciente eos divina clementia, reversi sunt; et missa legatione, rogantes quae ad pacem sunt, restitutis hinc inde captivis, et sibi mutuo satisfacientes, in plenam gratiam, interveniente pacis osculo, redierunt.

At last, on the next day, with the light restored as the sun rose, the hatreds subsiding and their indignation somewhat mitigated, mindful of their profession, they returned to their senses, divine clemency looking back upon them; and, a legation having been sent, asking for the things that are toward peace, with captives restored on either side, and mutually giving satisfaction to one another, they returned into full grace, the kiss of peace intervening.

CAPUT XXV. Balduinus ad majorem revertitur exercitum. Tancredus universam impugnat et obtinet Ciliciam.

CHAPTER 25. Baldwin returns to the greater army. Tancred attacks and obtains the entire Cilicia.

Finitimi principes, oblatis muneribus, ei se conciliare festinant.

Neighboring princes, with gifts offered, hasten to conciliate themselves with him.

Inde cum omni suorum comitatu dominus Balduinus ad majorem exercitum, qui jam Maresiam, ut praediximus, pervenerat, sociis id exigentibus, reversus est. Audierat enim quanto quamque periculoso casu dominus dux ante Antiochiam Pisidiae laboraverat: unde de ejus plurimum salute sollicitus, praesens de ejus statu plenius volebat edoceri. Tancredus vero, assumpto sibi populo residuo, qui in classe advenerat, et ex eo viribus adauctis, universam percurrens Ciliciam, hostium praesidia, quotquot ibi reperit, expugnat, incendit, hostibus qui in eis reperti sunt gladio peremptis; perveniensque ad locum, cui nomen Alexandria minor, violenter expugnatum nihilominus occupavit, universam regionem suae subjiciens potestati.

Thence, with the whole company of his men, Lord Baldwin returned to the larger army—which had already reached Maresia, as we have said—at the insistence of the allies. For he had heard how greatly and with how perilous a mishap the lord duke had suffered before Antioch of Pisidia; wherefore, being very solicitous about his welfare, he wished, being present, to be more fully informed of his condition. Tancred, however, taking to himself the remaining people who had arrived by the fleet, and by that having his forces augmented, coursing through all Cilicia, storms and burns the enemy garrisons, as many as he found there, the enemies who were discovered in them having been slain by the sword; and coming to the place whose name is Lesser Alexandria, he likewise took it by violent assault and occupied it, subjecting the whole region to his power.

Audientes vero qui in montibus habitabant, tam Armeniorum quam Turcorum satrapae, quod praedictus Tancredus in manu robusta et exercitu copioso universam sibi subjugaret provinciam, timentes ne forte ad eos ascendens, eorum quoque captivaret populos, subverteret municipia, missis certatim legationibus, ejus sibi satagunt conciliare gratiam, et amicitiam foederare: unde ut propositum facilius valerent effectui mancipare, missis donis ingentibus in auro, argento, equis, mulis et holosericis, foedus contrahebant, tanti principis iram et indignationem multa liberalitate declinantes. Erat itaque vir in cunctis prospere agens, fuitque Dominus cum eo, et omnia ejus opera, tanquam servi fidelis dirigebat.

But hearing this, those who were dwelling in the mountains, satraps both of the Armenians and of the Turks, that the aforesaid Tancred, with a robust hand and a copious army, was subjugating the whole province to himself, fearing lest perhaps, ascending to them, he would also make captive their peoples and subvert the municipalities, with embassies sent in emulous haste, strive to conciliate his favor and to federate friendship: whence, that they might be able more easily to hand their purpose over to effect, sending immense gifts in gold, silver, horses, mules, and holoserics, they contracted a foedus, turning aside the wrath and indignation of so great a prince by much liberality. He was, therefore, a man prospering in all things, and the Lord was with him, and He directed all his works, as of a faithful servant.