The History of the Crusades (vol. 1 of 3)Michaud, J. Fr. (Joseph Fr.)
History
The History of the Crusades (vol. 1 of 3)
Michaud, J. Fr. (Joseph Fr.)
Crusades
At the approach of the Christians, some detachments of infidels had
come out from Jerusalem to observe the march and proceedings of the
enemy, but were repulsed by Baldwin du Bourg and Tancred. The latter
had hastened from Bethlehem, of which he had taken possession. After
having pursued the fugitives up to the gates of the holy city, he left
his companions and repaired alone to the Mount of Olives, from whence
he contemplated at leisure the city promised to the arms and devotion
of the pilgrims.[158] He was disturbed in his pious contemplations by
five Mussulmans who came from the city, and finding him alone attacked
him.[159] Tancred made no effort to avoid the combat; three of the
Saracens fell beneath his arm, whilst the other two took to flight.
Without either hastening or retarding his speed, Tancred rejoined
the army, which, in its enthusiasm, was advancing without order, and
descended the heights of Emmaus,[160] singing these words from Isaiah,
“_Jerusalem, lift up thine eyes, and behold the liberator who comes to
break thy chains_.”
On the day after their arrival the Crusaders employed themselves in
regularly laying siege to the place. The duke of Normandy, the count
of Flanders, and Tancred encamped towards the north, from the gate of
Herod to the gate of Cedar or of St. Stephen. Near to the Flemings, the
Normans, and the Italians, were placed the English, commanded by Edgar
Atheling, and the Bretons, conducted by their duke, Alain Fergent, the
sire de Chateau-Giron, and the viscount de Dinan. Godfrey, Eustace, and
Baldwin du Bourg established their quarters between the west and the
north, around the enclosure of Calvary, from the gate of Damascus to
the gate of Jaffa. The count of Thoulouse placed his camp to the right
of Godfrey between the south and the west; he had near to him Raimbaud
of Orange, William of Montpellier, and Gaston of Béarn. His troops at
first extended to the declivity of Sion, and a few days afterwards he
pitched his tents upon the very summit of the mountain, at the place
where Christ celebrated Easter. By these dispositions the Crusaders
left free the sides of the city which were defended on the south by
the valley of Gihon or Siloë, and towards the east by the valley of
Jehoshaphat.[161]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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