The Royal Coronation of Julien I (And a summary of the First Crusade)
The Coronation of Julien de Baalun, 1099 AD
The First Crusade had been a success that was celebrated in every Church throughout Christendom. Though the news did not reach Rome before the death of Urban II, the mastermind behind the First Crusade, his successor, Pope Paschal II, would speak noble and pious words to those who succeeded in the Levant, showering them with honorary titles and riches for their pious deeds. Though despite the celebration, those who endured its trials were more grateful to God than anyone else. For the crusading nobles had seen those who followed them into the heat and sand of the Levant die of thirst, starvation and in the thick of battle.
Antioch was the first to fall and it would become the home of Stephen of Aumale, now self-proclaimed Prince of Antioch and its minor holdings. Lady Annalisa Borsa broke away from the Crusaders after Antioch and managed to carve her own domain around Edessa, where was proclaimed Countess of its holdings. Despite the departure of those two crusaders, the lumbering army continued southward, under the leadership of Julien de Baalun. They entered defeats and victories as they entered the Levant and, from there, all the way to Jerusalem. Along the way, Carlos Salvador Santana, like Prince Stephen and Countess Annalisa, would claim Tripoli and surrounding areas as his prize for the Crusade, proclaiming it the County of Tripoli. Yet the greatest prize still awaited those that remained, the holy city of Jerusalem.
In the year 1099 AD, Jerusalem would fall after a prolonged siege. The host that remained under Julien de Baalun, though battered and weary, took to the streets and made the stones run with the blood of many. Jews and Muslims alike were slaughtered by the greedy Crusaders that looked for treasures to claim. Christian Churches and communities locked their doors and turned a deaf ear to the screams of those who were slaughtered. It was even said that crusading soldiers would cut open the bellies of those running away just to find gold and gems that may have been swallowed. The massacre lasted for days without any hopes of ending. Yet it did one morning when the sun rose over the blood-soaked walls of Jerusalem. Once the violence had died down, an election began to see who would become the ruler of Jerusalem, the greatest prize of all within the Levant. Despite his support, Robert Curthouse lost his bid for the crown. In anger for his loss, the Norman would return to England while the rest continued to debate. It took three days before the council elected Julien de Baalun, who won the bid through backroom deals and the Frankish support, to be the ruler of Jerusalem. Upon that day, Julien proclaimed the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
A week passed before the coronation was prepared. Invitations were sent to the nobles who swore oaths of fealty to Julien as the rightful King of Jerusalem as well as the other Crusader States within the Levant. Much discussion was made on where to host the coronation until it was ultimately chosen to be hosted within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and Prince-Archbishop of Nablus, a Scot by the name of William Leitch, oversaw the ceremony itself as the appointed authority of the Latin Church of the Levant, due to the distance from the See of Rome. His appearance in the Holy Lands makes nobles wonder whether he was sent by Rome or perhaps was a lowly clergymen who came along with the crusading forces. Nonetheless, William was shown favor by Julien and granted not only land and title, but also a weight of support that rose the Scot up to the position of Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Nobles filled the church and roamed around the courtyards as they waited for the ceremony to begin. Julien de Baalun was not seen among those present as the Frenchmen was preparing for his coronation. Under a watchful guard, Julien's two children were present, yet the absence of his wife was noted by those gathered. It was odd that the wife of the King was missing. Nonetheless the atmosphere was pious and the attitude of the crowd gathered was joyous and hopeful.
LET'S GET THIS RESTART STARTED!!!
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Originally Posted by Skylord_Conor21
