![]() |
Illus
-21
BARTHELEMI UNDERGOING THE ORDEAL OF FIRE
The flames had already mounted to a height of twenty cubits, when
Barthelemi was seen advancing, accompanied by the priests, who walked
in silence, barefooted, and clothed in their sacerdotal habits.
Covered by a simple tunic, the priest of Marseilles bore the holy
lance, surrounded with floating streamers. When he arrived within
a few paces of the pile, one of the principal of the clergy pronounced
in a loud voice the fllowing words : "If this man has seen Jesus
Christ face to face, and if the apostle Andrew did reveal the divine
lance to him, may he pass safe and sound through the flames : but
if on the contrary, he is guilty of falsehood, may he be burnt,
together with the lance which he bears in his hands." At these words
all the spectators bowed, and answered as with one voice, "Be the
will of God accomplished." Barthelemi threw himself on his knees,
took Heaven to witness the truth of all that he has said, and, after
recommending himself to the prayers of the bishops and priests,
rushed through the funeral pile at a part where an opening of two
feet wide had been made for his passage. He was carried in a dying
state to the tent of the count of Thoulouse, where he expired in
a few days after, still protesting his innocence and veracity. -
Book IV History
of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-22
THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM
Most of the princes whom the war had ruined were in the pay of
the count of Thoulouse. This species of degradation was doubtless
painful to their pride ; but as they approached the holy city
it might be said that they lost some of their indomitable arrogance,
and that they forgot both their pretentions and their quarrels.
The most perfect union now prevailed among the Crusaders. In their
impatience to see Jerusalem, neither mountains, defiles, rivers,
nor any other impediments at all damped their ardour ; the soldiers
would not even consent to take repose, and often, contrary to
the wishes of their leaders, marched during the night, when they
were directed by a luminous angel. - Book IV
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-23
ENTHUSIASM OF CRUSADERS AT THE FIRST VIEW OF JERUSALEM
By the break of day, on the 10th of June, 1099, the Crusaders
ascended the heights of Emmaus. All at once the holy city presented
itself to their eyes. The first who perceived exclaimed together,
"JERUSALEM ! JERUSALEM !" The rear ranks rushed forward to behold
the city that was the object oa all their wishes, and the words,
"IT IS THE WILL OF GOD ! IT IS THE WILL OF GOD !" were shouted
by the whole army, and resounded over Mount Sion and the Mount
of Olives, which offered themselves to the eager gaze of the Crusaders.
At one moment they felicitated themselves with touching the last
term of their labors ; and then wept over their sins, over the
death of Christ, and over his profaned tomb ; but all renewed
the oath they had so often made to deliver the holy city from
the sacrilegious yoke of the Mussulmans. - Book IV
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-24
SECOND ASSAULT OF JERUSALEM : THE CRUSADERS REPULSED
Nothing could equal the impetuosity of the first shock of the Christians
; but they were everywhere met by an obstinate resistance. Arrows,
javelins, boiling oil, Greek fire, fourteen machines, whiched the
besieged had now time to oppose to those of their enemies, repulsed
on all sides the attacks and the efforts of the assailants. Toward
the end of the day the towers of Godfrey and Tancred could no longer
be moved, whilst that of Raymond fell to pieces. The combat had
lasted twelve hours, without victory having inclined to the side
of the Crusaders, when night came to put a temporary end to the
efforts of both parties. The Christians returned to their camp trembling
with rage and grief ; the leaders, but particularily the two Roberts,
lamenting THAT GOD HAD NOT YET THOUGHT THEM WORTHY OF ENTERING INTO
HIS HOLY CITY, AND ADORING THE TOMB OF HIS SON. - Book IV
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-25
APPARITION OF ST. GEORGE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
Many of the most intrepid warriors had met with death at the foot
of the ramparts ; a great number of those who were upon the towers
had been disabled ; whilst the rest, covered with sweat and dust,
fatiqued by the weight of their arms and the heat, began to lose
courage. The Saracens, who perceived this, uttered loud cries of
joy. Among their blasphemies they reproached the Christians with
worshipping a God who was not able to defend them. All at once the
Crusaders saw a knight appear upon the Mount of Olives, waving his
buckler, and giving the Christian army the signal for entering the
city. Godfrey and Raymond, who perceived him first and at the same
time, cried aloud that St. George was come to the help of theChristians
! The tumult of the fight allowed neither reflection nor examination
; the sight of the celestial horseman fired the besiegers with new
ardour, and they returned to the charge. Women, even children and
the sick, mingled in the melee, bringing water, food, and arms,
and joining their efforts to those of the soldiers to move the rolling
towers, the terror of the enemy, nearer the ramparts. - Book IV
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-26
GODFREY ENTERS JERUSALEM
The rolling tower of Godfrey, in spite of a terrible
discharge of stones, arrows, and Greek fire, advanced near enough
to have its drawbridge lowered upon the walls. Flaming darts flew,
at the same time, in showers against the machines of the besieged,
and against the stacks of straw and hay, and bags of wool which
protected the last walls of the city. The wind assisted the fire
and drove the flames upon the Saracens, who, enveloped in masses
of flame and smoke, retreated before the lances and swords of the
Crusaders. Godfrey, preceded by the two brothers Lethalde and Engelbert
of Tournai, and followed by Baldwin du Bourg, Eustace, Reimbault
Creton, Gunher, Bernard de St. Vallier, and Amenjou d' Albret, rushes
upon the enemy, pursues them, and upon the track of their footsteps
enters Jerusalem. All the brave men who fought with them upon the
platform of the tower, followed their intrepid chief, penetrated
with him into the streets, and massacred all they met in their passage.
- Book IV
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-27
THE DISCOVERY OF THE TRUE CROSS
But the Crusaders soon turned their eyes from the treasures which
victory had bestowed upon them to admire a conquest much more precious
in their estimation ; this was the true cross, which had been borne
away from Jerusalem by Cosroes and brought back again by Heraclius.
The Christians shut up in the city had concealed it from the Sacarens
during the siege. The sight of it excited the most lively emotions
in the pilgrims. "OF THIS THING," says an old chronicle, "THE CHRISTIANS
WERE AS MUCH DELIGHTED AS IF THEY HAD SEEN THE BODY OF CHRIST HUNG
THEREUPON." It was borne in triumph through the streets of Jerusalem,
and then replaced in the church of the Resurrection. - Book IV
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-28
GODFREY IMPOSED TRIBUTES UPON EMIRS
The first care of Godfrey was to repel the hostilities of the Saracens,
and to extend the frontiers of the kingdom intrusted to his defence.
By his orders Tancred entered into Galilee, took possession of Tiberias,
and several other cities situated in the neighborhood of the Lake
of Genesareth. As a reward of his labours, he obtained possession
of the country he conquered, which in the end became a principality.
Tancred, master of a rich province, advanced into the territories
of Damascus, whilst Godfrey, in a fortunate excursion, imposed tributes
upon the emirs of Caesarea, Ptolemais, and Ascalon, and brought
to submission the Arabs dwelling on the left shores of the Jordan.
He was returning victorious to Jerusalem, when the city of Asur,
which had surrendered after the battle of Ascalon, refused to pay
tribute, and shook off the yoke of the Christians. Godfrey resolved
to lay siege to this rebel city. - Book V
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-29
GERARD OF AVESNES EXPOSED ON THE WALLS OF ASUR
Gerard of Avesnes, who has been left with them as an hostage by
Godfrey, was fastened to the top of a very high mast which was attached
to the very wall against which the efforts of the besiegers were
principally directed. At the prospect of an inevitable and inglorious
death, the unfortunate Christian knight uttered loud and painful
cries, and conjured his friend Godfrey to save his life by a voluntary
retreat. This spectacle pierced the heart of Godfrey, but did not
shake either his firmness or his courage. As he was sufficiently
near to Gerard of Avesnes to make himself heard by him, he exhorted
him to merit the crown of Martyrdom by his resignation. "It is not
in my power to save you" said he ; "if my brother Eustace were in
your place I would not deliver him from death. Die, then, illustrious
and brave knight, with the courage of a christian hero : die for
the safety of your brethren, and for the glory of Jesus Christ."
The words of Godfrey gave Gerard of Avesnes the courage to die.
He begged his old companions to offer at the holy sepulchre his
horse and his arms, that prayers might be put for the health of
his soul. - Book V *Notes: Godfrey collected his troops, marched
them towards Asur, and proceeded to attack the town. Already had
the rolling towers approached the ramparts, the rams had shaken
the walls to their foundations, and the city was about to be carried,
when the besieged employed a mode of defence worthy only of barbarians.
page 141 Note; Notes Baldwin surving a sure defeat
when the egyptian leader is slain on the field and his troops cannot
rally. Saves the woman who was giving birth and her gratfeul husbands
aid to Baldwin in return page 147.
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
![]() |
Illus
-30
THE CRUSADERS MASSACRE THE INHABITANTS OF CAESAREA
THE CRUSADERS MASSACRE THE INHABITANTS OF CAESAREA A short time
after, Baldwin besieged Caesarea, a city built by Herod in honour
of Caesar. The siege was carried on with vigour ; on the fifteenth
day everything was ready for a general assault, and as soon as the
trumpet had given the first signal, all the soldiers confessed and
received absolution for their sins. The patriarch, clothed in white
vestments, with a crucifix in his hand, led them to the foot of
the ramparts ; the city was soon taken, and the inhabitants put
to the sword. - Book V Notes; Pages 154 To 156 death of Baldwin
History of the Crusades Volume I
Joseph-Francois Michaud Illustrated by Gustave Dore
|
[$21.00]
11x15
[$15.00]
8x10
|
|
