Who Should Control Jerusalem?
Through God’s abundant grace, the Holy City was restored to the Christians, and some order was established. For seven days, there was much celebration, combined with reverence and spiritual joy. On the eighth day, the leaders met to decide on a ruler for the region, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
While they discussed, some clergy, driven by pride and personal interests, also gathered. They sent a message to the leaders, requesting to address the council. Once admitted, they said, “We hear you plan to choose a king among yourselves. This is a good idea if done properly. However, spiritual matters are more important than earthly ones and should be prioritized. We believe a religious leader should be chosen first to lead the church for its growth and benefit. If you agree to this order, we support you fully. If not, we will reject your decisions.”
Though the clergy’s proposal seemed fair and decent at first glance, it actually hid a lot of hostility, as events would later reveal. The main figure behind this group was a bishop from Calabria, specifically from Martirano [Matera]. He was a close friend of Arnulf, who had been discussed enough in earlier sections. The bishop was plotting to make Arnulf, a man with a bad reputation despite being in holy orders and the son of a priest, the patriarch. Throughout the campaign, people often gossiped about Arnulf’s behavior, and he was mocked in songs. The bishop, ignoring sacred rules and against the wishes of respectable people, was trying to elevate Arnulf to the position of patriarch. The bishop himself was corrupt and cared nothing for honor, making it easy for him to ally with Arnulf. As the old saying goes: “People naturally bond with those who share their mindset.” This bishop had taken control of the church at Bethlehem, having struck a deal with Arnulf that if Arnulf became patriarch, the church would be his permanently. However, death soon ended these plans, as will be detailed later.
Among the clergy, true religion and honor had declined. Everywhere, it was moving recklessly through forbidden paths since Adhemar, bishop of Puy, and legate of the apostolic see, passed away. After his death, William, bishop of Orange, a devout and God-fearing man, took on the role and managed it faithfully until his death at Maara. After these two holy men died, it was as the prophet said: “Like people, like priest.” Only the bishop of Albara and a few others who feared the Lord stayed on the right path.
The princes dismissed the clergy’s objections from the previous chapter as unimportant. They were determined to proceed with their plan but still considered the proposal. Some reports suggest they wanted the election to reflect God’s will and fairly evaluate the candidates. To achieve this, they secretly interviewed people from the candidates’ households. Each person had to swear to speak truthfully about their lord’s life and character. This was done to give the electors accurate information about each candidate’s worth. During questioning, these individuals, bound by their oath, revealed both flaws and virtues of their masters. This method aimed to provide an unbiased view of each candidate’s character. When members of Godfrey’s staff were asked, they mentioned that the most challenging behavior of the duke was his inability to leave a church after services. He would continue asking priests about the meaning of images and pictures, boring his companions. This habit often resulted in meals being overcooked and tasteless due to long delays. On hearing this complaint, the electors exclaimed,
“Happy the man who possesses these characteristics, to whom that is ascribed as a fault which others would boast of as a virtue!”
After looking at everything, the electors all agreed on the duke. Godfrey was chosen and taken with great respect to the Lord’s Sepulchre, with chants and hymns.
However, it’s said that most electors wanted Raymond, count of Toulouse. They knew he would go home if he didn’t get the kingdom. So, wanting to go back to their beloved homeland, they made up reasons against their better judgment to say the count wasn’t fit for the role.
Despite this, Raymond ignored the call of his homeland and stayed devoted to Christ, not going back home. Instead, he kept on the pilgrimage he started and chose to live in poverty until the end because he knew that
“he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”
and also that
“No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is it for the kingdom of God.”
When the lord duke was given full control of the realm, the count of St. Gilles still held the city’s citadel, the Tower of David. The enemy had initially surrendered this stronghold to him. The tower, made of strong stone, stood at the city’s highest point, facing west, and offered a view of the whole city.
Realizing this last stronghold was not under his control, the duke felt his rule was incomplete. In a meeting with the leaders, he asked the count to hand it over. Raymond refused, saying the enemy had given it to him and he wanted to keep it until Easter when he planned to return home. Holding the citadel would strengthen his position while he stayed in the kingdom with his men. The duke warned that if the tower wasn’t surrendered to him, he would give up his rule entirely. It would be shameful, he said, for the city’s stronghold to be under someone else’s control after being named overlord.
The counts of Normandy and Flanders supported the duke, and even the allies of the count of St. Gilles helped the opposing side, hoping it would give their lord a reason to leave. Until the tower ownership was legally settled, it was agreed to put it under the care of the bishop of Albara. However, the bishop reportedly gave the tower to the duke before the legal decision. When accused, he claimed he was forced to do it. The count was angry and upset, feeling he lost the tower unfairly. He also sensed the other leaders were not as friendly as they should be, forgetting the many favors he had done for them during the pilgrimage. So, he went to the Jordan, bathed, and prepared to return home to meet his friends’ wishes.
During this time, the cunning bishop of Matera stirred up the people against the noble leaders. He suggested that out of jealousy, the leaders didn’t want to appoint a church head so they could have more control. With backing from like-minded supporters, despite opposition, he appointed Arnulf to the patriarchal chair. He had the support of the count of Normandy, Arnulf’s friend, and the votes of the gullible crowd. But neither benefited long from this scheme. Arnulf soon had to give up his position, and the bishop also faced consequences for his actions.
Around this time, a part of the Cross of the Lord was found in a hidden corner of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For safety, the Christians had hidden it long ago, telling only a few. A Syrian witness to its hiding helped uncover it in a silver case. With hymn singing, it was taken first to the Sepulchre and then to the Temple, escorted by the clergy and people. Christians saw this as a heavenly gift, a comfort and reward for their struggles and hardships.
Lord Godfrey, Protector Of The Holy Sepulchre
Godfrey was a devout man, deeply caring for the honor of God’s house. Soon after becoming leader, he dedicated his new role to the Lord. He established canons in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple of the Lord, giving them ample prebends. He also provided them with noble houses near these cherished churches. Godfrey upheld the rules and traditions of the large, well-endowed churches founded by pious leaders beyond the mountains. He would have given even more if death hadn’t stopped him
When starting his pilgrimage, this man loved by God brought along monks from well-run monasteries, known for their holy lives. Throughout the journey, day and night, these monks performed church services for him. After gaining royal power, he settled them in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, granting them large lands as a reward for their service.
He gave many generous gifts to the churches of God. The records of church privileges show how many valuable donations he made to holy places for his soul’s healing. Despite rising to power, he humbly refused a golden crown in the Holy City, a common tradition for kings. He respected the crown of thorns that the Savior wore in the same city. Some people, not valuing his contributions, hesitate to call him a king, focusing more on outward actions than a faithful spirit pleasing to God. To us, he is not just a king, but the best of kings, a guide and example to others. He did not reject the church’s sacraments but scorned worldly show and vanity. In humility, he refused a perishable crown, hoping for one that would last forever.
Battle Of Ascalon
The city had just been captured, and the leaders who took it for God’s service were still together when a rumor spread that turned out to be true. It was said that the prince of Egypt, a powerful ruler in the East, had gathered troops from all his lands, forming a huge army. He was angry that a foreign people from far away had invaded his kingdom and seized a province under his control. He summoned Al-Afdal, his top military leader, also known as Emireius, and commanded him to gather all of Egypt’s forces and the empire’s might. With this army, Al-Afdal was to march to Syria to eliminate these bold invaders so that their name would vanish.
Al-Afdal was Armenian, born to Christian parents. However, tempted by great wealth, he abandoned his faith. He had previously recaptured Jerusalem for his master from the Turks, but in the same year, Christians besieged the city with divine help and reclaimed it for their faith. He had held the city peacefully for barely eleven months before the Christian army, through God’s grace, freed it from unjust rule. His victory was so short-lived it felt like a moment. Despite this, Al-Afdal eagerly accepted the mission given to him.
He thought it would be easy to defeat those who had tarnished his reputation. So, with pride and aggression, he led the entire Egyptian army into Syria, aiming to erase the Christians completely. However, the Lord had different plans. With a strong army and cavalry, he moved into Syria and set up camp near Ascalon. Huge forces from Arabia and Damascus joined him. Although the Turks and Egyptians had been rivals, distrusting each other’s strength, the fear of Christians brought them together. They preferred to unite against the Christians rather than suffer under their brutal rule.
To achieve this goal, countless forces of Egyptians, Arabs, and Turks gathered and camped on the plains near Ascalon. They planned to march on Jerusalem, believing our army wouldn’t dare face such a large force. When this news arrived, all Christians—leaders, bishops, clergy, and common people—came together, armed with spiritual weapons. Lying before the Lord’s Sepulchre, they prayed with groans and tears. With humble hearts, they asked the Lord to save them from the danger, hoping He would protect His people and keep the sacred place pure for His glory.
Then, in the same fervor of rapt devotion, to the sound of hymns and spiritual songs, they hastened with bare feet to the Temple of the Lord. There once more they poured out their hearts in prayer to God, saying,
“Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach.“
When their prayers were done, the bishop blessed them. The duke chose wise men to manage the city. Accompanied by the count of Flanders, he headed to the plains of Ramlah. The other leaders stayed in Jerusalem. The duke’s brother, Eustace, and Tancred were in Nablus. They went there because the citizens said they would surrender peacefully. They lingered due to the city’s wealth and to set up a proper guard. They didn’t know what happened in Jerusalem. But when the duke called, they quickly returned to join the other leaders.
At Ramlah, the duke and the count of Flanders got accurate news that Al-Afdal had set up camp with his troops near Ascalon. So, a messenger was quickly sent to call the other leaders who stayed in Jerusalem to confirm the rumor.
The duke’s message reported that the enemy had arrived in large numbers and set up camp nearby. Without delay, the Count of Toulouse and other leaders loyal to God called for divine help, gathered all available forces, and marched into the land of the Philistines to where the duke was, now known as Ibelin. They led 1,200 cavalry and about 9,000 foot soldiers. The army had been in Ibelin for a day when, around the eleventh hour, a large force appeared on the distant plain. Believing it to be the enemy, they sent ahead 200 light cavalry to assess the number and condition of these troops, while preparing for battle themselves. As the scouts got closer, they found that the force was actually large herds of cattle, horses, and camels, watched over by some mounted knights acting like shepherds. As our detachment approached, the herdsmen and knights fled, leaving the animals unprotected.
Some prisoners were captured, providing full details about the enemy’s situation and plans. It was discovered that the infidel prince had set up his camp nearby, about seven miles away. He planned to move forward in two days to destroy the Christian army. Knowing that battle was unavoidable, the leaders arranged their forces into nine divisions. Three divisions formed the front line, three held the center, and the last three were positioned at the rear. This setup ensured that wherever the enemy attacked, there would be three layers of troops to face them. The exact number of enemy forces was unknown, as their numbers were too large to count and they received fresh reinforcements daily.
The treasure the Christians gained without resistance was beyond value. They spent the night there, celebrating. Still, as seasoned warriors, they set guards around the camp and stayed watchful. The next day, the herald called for battle. The Christians, in orderly ranks, moved together against the enemy, trusting God for the outcome. They believed that God, who could defeat many with few, held their victory. The determined stance of their enemies made the Egyptians and their Syrian allies doubt their own strength. Wiser than before, they felt less confident in their large numbers, thinking the advancing group was all soldiers. In reality, our numbers were small. But the livestock captured as loot followed our army on their own. When the troops stopped, the animals stopped; when the troops moved, the herds followed, leaderless. This led the enemy to believe our numbers were endless and our strength unmatched, so after a brief engagement in their camp they fled without being chased. Even in retreat, they had little hope of safety.
The bishop of Matera, known for causing trouble, vanished mysteriously that day. Nobody knew what happened to him. It’s believed he was captured by enemies on his way back from Jerusalem, possibly killed or imprisoned forever. After winning, the army moved into the enemy camp. There, they found so many goods that the pilgrims were overwhelmed, even refusing cakes and honey. The simplest among them could say, “Too much has left me powerless.” The enemy’s retreat gave Christians an easy win. Grateful to the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem with lots of spoils, celebrating like victors dividing their riches.
Lord Godfreys Death
This Duke Godfrey, whose name occurs so often in this chronicle, was, by the grace of God, confirmed as the supreme head of the realm, and all quarrels, if perchance any had arisen, were settled. Then the kingdom began to grow strong, and during the days of his reign it became well established. Nevertheless, Godfrey reigned only one year. For the sins of men forbade that through the longer ministrations of this great prince the tender plant of Christian dominion should be refreshed and comforted in the face of the tribulations which menaced it. He was snatched away from the midst of men, lest his heart be changed by wickedness for, as it is written,
“The righteous perish and no man lay it to heart.”
In the month of July, in the year of our Lord 1100, Godfrey, the illustrious ruler of the kingdom of Jerusalem, was stricken by a violent and incurable disease an began to be sick unto death. The virulence of the disease continued to increase, and no remedy could be found, though sought far and wide. At length, after receiving the Eucharist, this true confessor of Christ, devoutly penitent, went the way of all flesh to receive an hundredfold reward and possess eternal life with the spirits of the blest. He died
on the eighteenth of July, in the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 1100. He was buried in the church of the Sepulchre of the Lord in the place Calvary, where the Lord suffered. There a place has been set aside also for his successors even unto this day.
And in this way the kingdom of Jerusalem was established. after Godfrey’s death, his brother Baldwin became King Baldwin 1 of Jerusalem. Baldwin I went on to capture Acre, Tripoli, and other many other lands in the territory, greatly expanding the kingdoms domain.