Be that as it may, Count Galdemar was boisterously welcomed at Joppa since these mariners felt themselves much exposed. They rejoiced when he arrived. They got up a banquet of fish, wine, and bread. But that night, feeling secure, they neglected to post lookouts and in darkness here came an Egyptian fleet. So the Genoese, electing to sacrifice their vessels, hurriedly dismantled everything, collecting sails, ropes, and other equipment and quickly got ashore. Count Galdemar escorted these mariners to camp outside Jerusalem, making the best of it, having defeated quite a few enemies on land but losing his grip on the port.
Archbishop William declares in his narrative that these Genoese and English sailors with mallets, spikes, axes, and hatchets brought great joy to the legions surrounding Jerusalem because they were skilled at the art of building, expert at felling trees, smoothing and fitting beams. Which is to say, much that had seemed difficult or impossible was soon accomplished.
On the ides of June this army of God once more attacked. They breached the first wall and they set a ladder against the principal wall, enabling a few knights to gain the top and strike furiously at unbelievers, but they had not ladders enough to take the city by escalade. Throughout that month they continued to assault Jerusalem, enduring much hardship for the love of Christ. Barley bread made with poisonous water caused ague. Infidels surprised and killed many going in search of fresh water. Yet some went down to the river Jordan for baptism a second time, gathering palm branches to celebrate the journey.
Curious events were noted. Guibert de Nogent relates how besiegers and besieged, exhausted by slaughter, promiscuously intermingled. Battalions of children under the direction of child captains would engage in mock struggles, armed with sticks in lieu of swords, using reeds for spears, carrying shields woven of twigs, battling on the plain while their parents watched, Franks emerging from tents, Saracens looking down from the ramparts. It is said the children charged like men, uttering shrill cries. Their captains impersonated adults, one calling himself Bohemond, another Hugh Vermandois. If these little captains saw their soldiers hungry they would go to beg food from the princes after whom they were named. Now and again these childish struggles incited the hearts of adults who could no longer rest quietly but must rush out to continue fighting.
Presently came news of a huge Babylonian army to break the siege. Those in the Frankish host looked at one another and did not know what to think or say because they numbered twelve hundred knights with some nine thousand soldiers afoot. Then through divine intercession Bishop Adhémar manifested himself to the visionary Peter Desiderius.
Speak to the lords and to the people, Bishop Adhémar commanded. Say they must purge themselves of wickedness. Remind them how they have come from distant lands to liberate the Holy City. Then with feet bare let the host march around Jerusalem invoking their Savior. After they have done this, let them attack on the ninth day. Let the pilgrims attack with fury and Jerusalem will be captured. But if they do not, then will the Lord God multiply their trials.
When the priest had spoken of this with Count Ysoard and William Hugo and certain clerics, they summoned the people and the barons.
We have been negligent, said they. We have not reconciled the Lord to us. In various ways we have affronted Him. By wicked deeds have we driven the Lord from our side. Now let each of us be reconciled to his brother. Let those who are offended forgive those who offend them. Let us humble ourselves before God. Let us beseech Him who assumed the flesh, who rode into Jerusalem mounted on an ass to suffer death for our sins. Let us beseech His aid. If with contrite hearts we go in procession around the city of Jerusalem, then will He open the gates to us. Then will He deliver judgment against His enemies who contaminate and corrupt the place of His burial, who withhold the blessing we seek, who deny entrance to the site of our redemption.
Thus it happened on the eighth of July, announced by trumpets. Preceded by clerics and bishops holding aloft sacred relics and crosses, all together the living host marched with feet bare around Jerusalem, which caused Saracens to parade likewise about the walls carrying an emblem of Mahomet on a standard. The infidels shouted insults, blared horns. They made a wood cross like that upon which our merciful Savior poured forth His blood to redeem the world. They beat upon it with sticks, spat upon it, smeared it with filth. Frango agip salip? they screamed, by which they mockingly inquired if the Franks thought it a good cross.
When the host got to the Mount of Olives it seemed they could
