That summer he moved against Caesarea. For two weeks the citizens resisted, but without experience at war and through protracted leisure they had grown effete. When true believers placed ladders against the wall and mounted eagerly toward the ramparts these eunuchs succumbed to fright. As happened elsewhere, some gulped down jewels and gold coins, which roused the cupidity of Baldwin’s soldiers who split them apart to inspect their vitals. It is said that Baldwin wished to show he could be pitiless toward any who opposed him, therefore he authorized his men to do as they liked. Still, he and his captains were astonished by what occurred. Infants and lovely women escaped the sword, all others had cause to regret their misbelief. Hundreds fled to the mosque, which in ancient days had been the synagogue of Herod Agrippa, mistakenly hoping since it was a chapel of prayer they might be safe. In rushed the knighthood of Christ, Saracens pleading for mercy to no avail. Carpets in the mosque changed color. Much spoil was obtained, not least a quantity of pepper, so much that sergeants were allotted two pounds each. Archbishop William tells of a certain Genoese who found an emerald bowl that is regarded by some as the Holy Grail.
No more did Baldwin subjugate Caesarea than news arrived of a Babylonian army menacing Ramlah. At once he hastened to challenge them but they declined and withdrew, awaiting help. Not until September did they feel confident, what with eleven thousand horsemen, twenty thousand afoot.
King Baldwin assaulted them at sunrise near Ibelin close by Ramlah although he commanded fewer than three hundred knights and nine hundred sergeants. Bervold, a valiant knight, ascended to Paradise with all his men. Geldemar Carpenel, lord of Haifa, was embraced by the loving arms of Jesus while trying to rescue him. Hugh, prince of Galilee, turned and fled like a dog. It seemed the battle had been lost, the day forfeit. King Baldwin confessed his sins in view of his army before the True Cross. Then, mounting his splendid Arab charger Gazelle, he rode toward the heart of the enemy.
God help us! shouted his knights while dashing among these pagans like fowlers into a mass of birds. Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ rules!
King Baldwin shook his lance from which fluttered a white banner, pierced an enemy, knocked him to earth, and the flag lodged in his gut. Fulcher de Chartres, being very near the king, observed this. Misbelievers looked all around and suddenly cared for nothing except themselves.
King Baldwin chased them to Ascalon. Such was the punishment meted out by God on account of their absurd belief and wicked nature, which blinded them to the sovereign light.
Fulcher writes that he feared such deeds might be forgotten. Thus I set them down, says he, wishing to publish these marvelous works of our Lord, albeit my learning is rude, my ability slight. I have collected what I saw with my own eyes or have learnt through assiduous questioning. I relate what happened for the benefit of those who come after me. Let any man rectify what I have done, but let him not superimpose fictive symmetry or dignity, lest he adulterate the truth.
Now, Egypt is huge and rich and to the south live men with black skin who are fierce in battle. Hence the vizier al-Afdal summoned these warriors to expel the Franks. In May of the following year these accursed Egyptians moved once more against Ramlah and King Baldwin rode forth in high spirits because he did not know how numerous they were. This display of hubris alarmed Stephen de Blois, who urged caution. But all remembered how Stephen retreated from Antioch. Not until they rode out on the plain did they see the devilish host, by which time they could not retreat. Some few knights cut through the enemy and escaped to Joppa. Most gave up the ghost. King Baldwin with those nearest him fought his way to the citadel of Ramlah and then it was dark.
At midnight here came that Arab sheik whose wife King Baldwin succored when she was ready to give birth. He presented himself at the citadel asking to see the king, so he was let inside. He recalled that great charity to the king and declared himself obligated to repay such kindness for he loathed the sin of ingratitude. He warned King Baldwin to leave at once, saying the fortress would be overwhelmed at daybreak and all inside put to death. He said he would lead the king to safety, claiming he knew this region well. Therefore, taking a groom and three comrades, Baldwin put his faith in the Arab.
At daybreak here came Egyptians swift as roaches swarming across the wall to heap faggots around the citadel and set everything ablaze. The Franks charged out, led by Constable Conrad, since they thought it more honorable to die sword in hand. Few survived. Conrad and more than one hundred Franks were led away. What became of these, no chronicle relates. Geoffrey from Vendôme, Stephen from Burgundy, Hugh from Lusignan, all joined the fellowship of martyrs. Here, too, Stephen de Blois perished. At Dorylaeum he could not be found. News of Kerbogha caused him to retreat from Antioch and
