Deeds of the Franks, Book 5, Chapter 12

When we had begun to approach the Iron Bridge, our scouts who always were accustomed to go before us, found uncountable groups of Turks assembled to meet us, who were hurrying to give aid to Antioch. Our men, rushing in with one heart and mind defeated the Turks. The barbarians were startled and gave flight and there were many dead from their group in that struggle. Our men having overcome those by the grace of God, received many spoils, horses, camels, mules, asses, laden with corn and wine. Then our men, returning, set up camp on the banks of the river. Farther on, that wise man Bohemond went with four thousand knights to the gate of the city, to watch if by chance anyone was entering or leaving the city in secret by night. The next day, they went all the way to Antioch at noon, on the fourth day of the week, which is 12 days before the kalends of November, and most wonderfully besieged three gates of the city, since the place for siege was lacking for us in other parts, due to a high and much too narrow mountain which would crowd us all together. However, our enemies the Turks, who were inside the city, were fearing us so much that not one of them would dare to strike at any of our men for nearly the space of fifteen days. After our camps encircled Antioch, we discovered much abundance, namely vineyards full of grapes everywhere and small pits full of grain, orchards crammed full of apples and other goods which are useful to the body.

The Armenians and Syrians who were inside the city, came out and paraded themselves as if to flee, they were with us every day but left their wives in the city. They were ingeniously seeking to find out our numbers and what sort of men we were, and carry back all this information to those who were shut up in the city. After the Turks had been educated about us, they began little by little to come out of the city, they hemmed our pilgrims in on all sides, not only from one part, but they came out from everywhere in secret to meet us from the sea and from the mountain.

However, there was not far away a fortified town called Aregh, where there was a very strong contingent of Turks, who were frequently attacking our men. Our leaders, upon hearing such a thing and grieving very much about this, sent some from their own knights to carefully scout out the area where the Turks were. Having discovered the place where they were lurking, our soldiers, who were seeking them, encountered them. But, when our men were returning to where they knew Bohemond to be with his army, they were set upon by the Turks and two of those men were killed. Hearing this, Bohemond arose with his men as the strongest champion of Christ and the barbarians rushed in to attack them, because our men were few, however united as one, they entered into battle. There were many dead among our enemies, and other having been captured were lead before the gate of the city and there they were beheaded so that those who remained in the city would be more dejected.

Certain others were coming out of the city and, climbing a certain gate, were firing arrows at us, in this way their arrows fell onto the path of Lord Bohemond and the arrows thrown killed one of the women.