Notes on The Capture of Jerusalem

The Capture of Jerusalem, 1099

Prelude to the Siege

Pope Urban's Appeal (1095): Pope Urban II called for a military expedition to aid the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus against the Turks, liberate Eastern Christians, and recapture Jerusalem. This sparked widespread enthusiasm, leading approximately 100,000 people to join the First Crusade.
Composition of the Crusader Army: The army that gathered before Nicaea in June 1097 numbered around 60,000, including 6,000-7,000 knights. It comprised various nationalities and was led by prominent figures such as Raymond of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, and Bohemond.
Lack of Unity: The crusade lacked a central commander, leading to quarrels and disagreements among the leaders and different nationalities. The death of the papal legate, Adhemar of Le Puy, further exacerbated this issue.
Jerusalem as the Primary Focus: Despite initial goals, Jerusalem became the central objective for the crusaders as it was a unifying goal.

Motivations of the Crusaders

Religious Significance of Jerusalem: Jerusalem held immense religious importance for medieval Europeans as the site of Christ's death and the location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Sense of Sinfulness: People in the 11th century were deeply aware of their sinfulness, heightened by theological uncertainties about penance. Pilgrimages, especially to Jerusalem, were seen as a way to atone for sins.
Indulgence Offered by Pope Urban: Pope Urban II offered a "remission of sins" to those who participated in the crusade, framing it as an opportunity for the military aristocracy to expunge their sins through violence.
Greed and Devotion: While religious devotion was a significant motivator, greed for land and plunder also played a role in the crusaders' actions.

Jerusalem's Significance to Other Religions

Importance to Islam: Jerusalem, known as al-Kuds, is sacred to Islam. The Dome of the Rock, built in 691, marks the spot where the angel Gabriel took Mohammed through the heavens. The al-Aksa mosque, built in 780, also stands on the Temple Mount.
Significance to Judaism: Jerusalem is also sacred to Judaism, with the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) being a significant religious site.
Crusader Disregard for Other Religions: The crusaders largely ignored the religious claims of Jews and Muslims, driven by their own religious zeal and desire for conquest.

The Siege of Jerusalem

Arrival at Jerusalem: On June 7, 1099, the First Crusade arrived at Jerusalem and began a siege that would last until July 15.
Jerusalem's Defenses: The city was strategically situated on a steep spur, protected by the Kidron Valley to the east, the Valley of Josaphat, and the Valley of Hinnon to the west. The northern wall was identified as the most vulnerable point, fortified with an outer wall and a ditch.
Crusader Forces: Reduced by war, disease, and desertion, the crusader army consisted of approximately 1,200 knights and 12,000 foot soldiers.
Challenges Faced by the Crusaders: The garrison had scorched the surrounding land and blocked wells, forcing the crusaders to bring water from a distance. They also destroyed or hid wood, which was essential for building siege machinery.
Arrival of the Genoese Fleet: The arrival of a Genoese fleet at Jaffa on June 17 was a turning point, bringing food, timber, and skilled labor for constructing siege machinery.
Siege Machinery: The crusaders built siege towers, rams, catapults, and balistae to attack the city walls. The defenders also had their own catapults and balistae.
The Assault: The grand assault began on July 13th. The crusaders faced numerous obstacles, including the city's strong defenses and the defenders' resistance.
Breaching the Walls: After intense fighting, the crusaders managed to breach the outer wall on July 15th. Two Flemish brothers, Ludolf and Engelbert of Tournai, created a bridgehead on the main wall, leading to a breakthrough.

The Capture and the Massacre

Crusader Victory: On July 15, 1099, the crusaders captured Jerusalem, marking a moment of great rejoicing.
Massacre of Jews and Muslims: Following the capture, the crusaders carried out a brutal massacre of the city's Jewish and Muslim population. Many were killed in the Jewish quarter and on the Temple Mount.
Godfrey of Bouillon Elected: On July 22, Godfrey of Bouillon was elected as Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre to defend the city.
Victory at Ascalon: On August 12, the crusader army defeated the Egyptian relief force at Ascalon, securing their conquest.

Consequences and Legacy

Contemporary Views on the Massacre: The massacre at Jerusalem was not considered unusual for the time, as sieges often resulted in massacres if the besieged refused to surrender.
Rejoicing in the Massacre: The crusaders rejoiced in the massacre, viewing it as a victory for Christianity and a step closer to paradise.
Tancred's Actions: While the massacre was widespread, Tancred offered quarter to some Muslims but was angered when they were later killed.
Long-Term Legacy: The capture of Jerusalem had profound long-term consequences, reviving the Muslim jihad and fostering a deep-seated suspicion and hatred between Islam and Christianity. The event contributed to a lasting legacy of conflict and mistrust.
Rewriting History: The crusaders rewrote history to erase the memory of Islam, excluding Jews from the city and repurposing Islamic holy sites.

Additional points

Fulcher of Chartres saw 400 drown at Brindisi when a pilgrim ship sank.
The Dome of the Rock was built in 691.
The al-Aksa mosque was built in 780.
Nine catapults were deployed against the Provencals, and five against the northern French along with a number of balistae.
On July 8th, a solemn procession was made around the city in the manner of Joshua before Jericho, raising morale.
On the night of July 9th-10th, Godfrey's tower was dismantled and rebuilt at a weak spot on the northeastern corner of the city.
One of the machines threw blazing balls of pitch and straw not merely at the tower but also into the camp and ultimately set the tower alight.
In 1057 the Turks massacred or enslaved the whole population of Christian Melitene.
William the Conqueror harried the north of England so savagely that a contemporary thought 100,000 had perished, and so ruthlessly did he destroy Mantes in 1087 that many believed his death there was the vengeance of God.
On July 10th, 1099, as the crusaders prepared to attack Jerusalem, El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, died.
Tancred seized Bethlehem as a prize of war as the army neared Jerusalem, and during the sack he plundered the treasures of the Dome of the Rock.