This letter was composed on Easter Day by his chaplain, Alexander. While it was being written a skirmish took place during which sixty Turks dropped screeching into hell, their bloody heads exhibited that the knighthood of Christ should derive joy therefrom.
Now by the Aleppo road came seven thousand enemies. Lord Bohemond met and defeated them, mounted fresh bleeding heads on stakes facing Antioch to challenge and terrify Yaghi Siyan. In response, the Turk flaunted Bishop Adhémar’s standard of Blessed Mary upside down.
Spies crept through the Frankish camp, Syrian, Turk, Armenian, each adopting the language, demeanor, and custom of the role he played. Because of such mischief Bohemond brought out several prisoners. In view of Antioch they got their throats cut, after which the bodies were smeared with butter, spitted and roasted. Bohemond’s captains were told to reply, if asked what this portended, that henceforth infidel spies would serve as nourishment. If the story is true, I could not say, but it swept the Levant, gripping with terror all who heard it, and every spy in camp got out as soon as he was able.
Thanks to the indulgence of our Lord, who does not fail to hear and judge the pleas of His children, Antioch was delivered from bondage through trickery. How did this happen? According to Raymond d’Agiles, fourteen years earlier when Turks got control of the city they compelled Greek and Armenian youths to labor as servants and gave them wives to make them tractable. Still, these youths would escape when they could and they brought word of a captain named Firouz, charged with defending the Tower of Two Sisters, who would betray Antioch. Yaghi Siyan had punished this captain for hoarding and selling grain, which enraged him and impelled him to seek revenge. His name, Firouz, is said to mean Victorious One. He came of a distinguished family, Beni-Zerra, which means sons of those who fashion breastplates, which is to say armorers. Albeit he was raised Christian he had converted to the evil faith of Mahomet, thereby comitting the sin of apostasy. But one night the Lord appeared, rebuked him and commanded him to deliver Antioch into Christian hands. They say Firouz wondered at this apparition. Once more the Lord commanded him to betray Antioch. Now Firouz went to Yaghi Siyan and revealed what he had been ordered to do. Are you not a fool? the governor asked. Would you obey a ghost?
For a third time Firouz beheld the Messiah. Then he was terrified and ashamed and sent word to Bohemond, who played upon his guilt. Bohemond promised to restore him to the faith of Jesus Christ if he would surrender his post, meanwhile through flagrant cajolery hinting at wealth and honor. For seven months they negotiated.
Being closer to me than life itself, Firouz declared, very well do you know how I have loved you since we undertook this common friendship by authority of God. So do you creep ever more deeply into my heart. With earnest care I have pondered the subject of our discourse. Here is what I believe. I will rejoice eternally in heaven if I deliver my native land from the dogs that govern it and introduce a people who love God. I will enjoy the society of blessed saints forever if I lift the yoke of oppression from Antioch. It is clear that should I fail at this task my house and the honor of my distinguished family will cease to exist. Even the name Firouz. Therefore I urge you, be attentive. Here is what I will do. I will give up the fortified tower that I am charged to defend in order that you with your people may breach the city. So much will I do.
Yaghi Siyan during this period had appealed to the Muslim ruler of Jerusalem, to Rodoan who was prince of Aleppo, to Docap who was prince of Damascus. He had sent further to Arabia and to Chorosan seeking aid from Bolianuth and Hamelnuth. Hence these emirs came marching toward Antioch with twelve thousand choice knights led by the atabeg of Mosul, Kerbogha. Here were Agulani, Publicans, Azymites, Kurds, and others from distant lands. This news alarmed the Franks. In particular they dreaded the Agulani whose horses were sheathed in iron. Bohemond now urged Firouz to consummate their understanding without delay, saying they had agreed upon a meritorious act and the moment was at hand.
In the course of supreme enterprise it will happen that events occur which are impossible to foresee. Just so, Firouz one day took his son to the tower he was charged with guarding but all at once told his son to hurry home. There the boy saw his mother embrace a Turk. Horrified and disgusted he rushed back to his father, who spoke with deep bitterness. If I live, said he in allusion to the Turks, I will repay those filthy dogs. Now more than ever did he mean to carry out the plot. Truly does God order each event from inception to end.
Saracen histories tell how the citizens of Antioch began to suspect treachery, more from divination than any proof. Certain principals therefore obtained audience with Yagi Siyan. They reminded him that numerous Christians lived or worked inside the walls and at this council the name of Firouz was mentioned. They knew this Armenian for a convert. Thus he was invited to the meeting because all hoped to discover by his words if he was justly or unjustly suspect. Firouz, being quick to understand, praised the foresight of the governor and these citizens. Your mistrust is laudable, said he, and over-caution does no harm. The duplicity you fear may be
