Such was the ever-memorable capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders. The
reflections it gives rise to are too numerous, too complicated, and
too interesting to be ventured upon in such a work as this; we must be
satisfied with having given principally, in the words of an elegant
historian, an account of the siege. We perceive the same weapons,
the same machines, the same natural objects of offence and defence,
that are to be found in other sieges. The terraces of Titus became
the rolling towers of the Middle Ages; but the ancient instruments,
the ram, catapultæ, and the cross-bow, were still in full force.
Although there was a body of English in the army, we hear nothing of
their national weapon, the long-bow. Jerusalem, from its situation,
was wanting in a moat or ditch; if it had had a broad one, it would
have very much increased the difficulties of the besiegers. Objects in
themselves apparently unconnected with the art of war, seem to have
been freely made use of; boiling oil, melted pitch, and huge beams were
had recourse to by the besieged. We likewise hear of the Greek fire,
but there are not so many miracles attached to its effects as in some
sieges. The Asiatics despised no natural means of defence that offered
themselves; in one of the minor sieges of the Crusades, they adopted a
very ingenious and effective mode of annoyance. The country round was
famous for the production of honey, and the citizens had vast apiaries.
When the ladders were planted, and the Crusaders commenced the assault,
the inhabitants brought all the bee-hives they could collect, and
precipitated them and their swarms of little armed warriors amidst the
assailing host. The effect may be more easily imagined than described.
ELEVENTH SIEGE, A.D. 1187.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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