Monday, April 19, 2010

Deeds of the Franks, Book One, Chapter Four

But valiant Bohemond, who was at the blockade of Malfi, at Scafardi Bridge(or sea the word pontis could be either and I can't figure out where Scafardi is), hearing that innumerable people of Christians from France had arrived and were about to go to the Sepulcher of the Lord and prepared to fight against the pagan people, he began carefully to inquire as to what weapons for fighting these people were carrying and how they carried indications of being Christians along the way or what signal would they sound in battle. To which these words were spoken through the ranks, 'They carry suitable weapons to war, on either the right or in between both shoulders, they bear the cross of Christ, they cry out loud "God wills it! God wills it! God wills it!" with one voice." Soon having been aroused by the Holy Spirit, he ordered his most precious cloth/cloak which he had near him to be cut up and immediately the whole cloth was laid out in crosses. Then a greater part of the soldiers who were at that siege began to flock eagerly towards him so much so that count Roger (his half brother) nearly remained alone, and he returned to Sicily grieving since he was deserving to lose his men.
Then returning for a second time to his own land, Lord Bohemond carefully steeled himself for the purpose of beginning the journey to the Sacred Sepulcher. Then he was ferried across the sea with his army, and with him went Tancred, son of the Marquis, Captain Richard, his brother Ranulf, Robert de Ansa, Herman of Cannes, Robert de Surda Valle, Robert son of Toustan, Humphrey son of Ralph, Richard son of Count Ranulf and the Count of Russignolo with his brothers, Boel of Chartres, Alberedus de Cagnano, Humphrey de Monte Scabioso. These men all crossed the sea in service to Bohemond and they landed in parts of Bulgaria; where they found a great abundance of grain, wine and other provisions. Then marching down into the Valley of Andronopoli; they awaited their men until all had crossed the sea the same. Then Bohemond arranged an assembly with his men, strengthening them much and warning all that they be good and humble; and that they not prey upon this land because it was Christian and he would welcome no man unless that he was up to the task.
cont. ....

2 comments:

Tracy said...

Bohemond certainly sounds like quite a leader!

The Red Witch said...

It is interesting to see him from the point of view of someone who clearly admired him.
Anna was very young when she met him. The First Crusade took place from the time she was 9 to 16 and I read somewhere that she was 14 when she met him. If that is the case, he was 39.