The Siege of Jerusalem

[Lord William]

Whilst waiting Hugh encourages his men to practice, his army may not be the largest on the crusade but they are the most disciplined.

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Lord Gilbert de Clare accompanies Robert of Normandy on the crusade

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Levon of Vaspurakan sets up his camp

[Dirty Chai]

Godfrey let his eyes dance from face to face, pausing at several glances, catching sight of a host of familiar but disunited figures: Hugh of Falchenberg, Warner of Grez, Cuno of Montaigu, Baldwin of Bourg, Stephen of Aumale, Stephen of Blois, the Duke of Brittany, the Count of Flanders, and a hoard of sons of many counts and lords from Normandy to Franconia. There were countless others, forming layers like a woven spiral, circulating outwards from the rug upon which a handful of dukes and counts stood.

He remembers the call, remembers when it came, and after what all it had followed. The Lord allowed him five years of respite - no more, no less. Long enough to taste tranquility after a decade of armed struggle against other men from below, above, near, and far. They proved to be lesser men through time and trial. Godfrey's strength of character - his morals - led him down the straight path, the hard path. The Lord takes us where he may, and he has taken Godfrey, through four decades, from Boulogne by the sea from the bosom of his mother, to this distant navel of the universe where nothing is right and where Christ lived and died. God makes purposes of us all, even we sinners - we killers and soldiers.

Godfrey sees killers. Murderers. Robbers. Dogs. Wolves. Fanged beasts, herding one flock of sheep to kill and steal from the others'. The shepherd has cast them out, berated them for their infighting, deprived them of their purposelessness, and shot them as an arrow from his bow to a purpose redeeming even of the most putrid of heart. Many of these men are here for rapine plunder and selfish gain. Godfrey sees that devilish voice even in himself, though he does not succumb. He knows the hearts of wolves. God has seen it all; the Lord has greater plans, unprecedented and infinitely wise, obscured from the feeble logic and rationale of mere men.

Godfrey smiles, so faintly, and dark shadows around his eyes exaggerated the soulful emeralds within.

"Do not thirst, my brothers,"

His lips pause, still open, as he lets his words hang upon the air. He stirs a few steps, turning his body about to gaze into the eyes of many different faces.

"The Lord wills it. Our struggle, our losses, our fallen, our hungry souls and thirsty hearts,"

The lord of Bouillon hisses, as if tears might break from his emotional eyes. He throws up his left arm, with the index and middle fingers pointing towards the roof of the pavilion: the swearing-hand, which God had taken from Rudolf of Swabia in order to make peace in the empire.

"God wills all of it. And what more sign did we need, than beneath the walls of Antioch? Time and time again, we should all be dead, rotten and charred by infelicitous flame! Yet here we remnant still stand - here, at the gates of Christ's kingdom."

His eyes widen, he breathes in;

"God goes on. The world goes on. We may not often chance upon the blessing of seeing its path, but now it is clear and salient: God wills it. He has willed everything from the moments of our births to now, where I deign to speak to you all; I, Godfrey, follower of Christ, swear upon heaven and earth that our oaths will be fulfilled, and Jerusalem will fall tomorrow night, and become a Christian city once more. God wills it."

[Mary The Quene]

"I do swear, as a humble servant of our savior Christ, that Jerusalem will become Christian again, or die trying so."

Said Richard when he entered the pavilion of Godfrey, with an accent that sounded much different than the northern lords. He didn't know most of the lords well for he had spend most of the tim with his Hauteville cousins. But they were all here for the sake of Christ and that made them bond all together.

"I agree with Godfrey that we assault tomorrow, for there is no time to be lost." All knew the arabs were gathering a large army in Ascalon by now, God was truly testing them all to their utmost.

[Jokern]

Tancred, who had entered alongside his cousin Richard, nodded in agreement and stepped forth. His French had the distinct tinge of the Normans of Southern Italy, influenced by the Italian and Arab peoples of Naples and Sicily.

"My lords and brothers in this holy cause, what has spoken we all know to be true. Naught but the righteousness of our crusade keeps the men going, and tomorrow we must breach those walls..."

Or succumb to death by starvation or an enemy blade, though he left that unsaid.

"We need a coordinated attack on a wide front of the walls, and as soon as an opening is found we must throw everything we can spare into the breach and open up the gates."

[Mors Vigilia]

Some bloke turned up and did something

---

Another bloke was already there and already doing stuff

Earlier that same day a different man was making his own preparations for the upcoming battle. He was older with a graying beard and long hair. His clothing plain and unassuming, few would have guessed upon looking upon him that he had led thousands across a continent in pursuit of a holy mission. Trailblazing the path that many others would follow. Though he had not gained acclaim for his actions, there was no denying that he had done them. Many nobles may look down on his common upbringing, but they still gathered to hear his words. For this mission was ordained by god and he Peter was his messenger.


So it was on this day that the Muslim defenders on the walls of Jerusalem watched with astonishment as the army of the Franks became a barefoot, unarmed pilgrimage. Singing prayers and bearing relics… walking around the walls of Jerusalem coming at last to the mount of Olives. The culmination of a week long fast. Here Peter the Hermit would deliver a sermon inspiring the thousands just as he had done on the plains of France… at the start of the Crusades.

He spoke of glory, worthy deeds, and absolution. Of greet reward both on worldly and heavenly. Of their oaths, and the importance of seeing them fulfilled.

Omes dès Frès devotedly followed the Hermit as he had done since hearing him preach in Northern France. He had killed his first man whilst following the Hermit, a Jew in a village along the Rhine, and was looking forward to doing God's will again within the holy city of Jerusalem.

The Jew had had some nice boots, and the Omes had found them very practical since their previous owner no longer required them - however during this barefoot march he was certainly missing their comfort.

[General Brewster]

On a quiet moment during the day, lost to those who kept no track of the time. John Talbot searched for Robert Curthose. He walked among the camp, disarmed and dreading the serious heat. He saw tents and men passing out when they wore too much equipment and drank much to few. Such was the fate of a soldier in this dreaded heat. John wondered how the muslim fared well in this climate. After some moments of walking he stopped and searched for water. A long line of men awaited their chance for a mere sips of water at a water barrel. Due to his rank John was able to cut in front but opted not too. Having men respect their overlords won battles he thought. At least it would instill a sense of comradery, even though it was frowned upon. They were all human John thought to himself.

Having waited for his turn. John sipped his water before being on his way to Curthose his tent. Kicking a stone through the dust. Arriving at the tent, he asked the guard if they could announce that Sir John Talbot requested an audience.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Upon the appointed day, a grand mass was held within the encampments by the leading priests and clergy among the crusading army. The morning had come at long last. After mass, soldiers sighted an eagle fly over the encampment from the north, soaring over the city, before veering south and flying over the other crusader encampment. Yet, the eagle remained, circling over Jerusalem before disappearing behind its walls. A priest said it was a messenger from God himself! The eagle would be the eyes of the Lord Almighty and that he would see them victorious! Cheers rose from the crusaders as their commanders came forth and ordered the frontal assault upon the walls of Jerusalem. Slowly, two siege towers, on the north and south walls, lumbered their way forward. The air was filled with the whistling sounds of arrows, the cries of the wounded, and the battle cries of soldiers on all sides. Everything was being put forth for this major assault and it was now or never for the crusaders. Jerusalem had to be taken today... or else.

[Xion]

".In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." Raymond says while making the sign of cross, having finished saying a final prayer before the assault was to begin. He would then look to his right, seeing the lumbering siege tower begin it's advance towards the walls. "Atacar! Deus lo Vult!" He shouts, while pointing his sword at the wall for a few moments, before joining the mass of crusaders charging alongside the tower.

[Lord William]

On a quiet moment during the day, lost to those who kept no track of the time. John Talbot searched for Robert Curthose. He walked among the camp, disarmed and dreading the serious heat. He saw tents and men passing out when they wore too much equipment and drank much to few. Such was the fate of a soldier in this dreaded heat. John wondered how the muslim fared well in this climate. After some moments of walking he stopped and searched for water. A long line of men awaited their chance for a mere sips of water at a water barrel. Due to his rank John was able to cut in front but opted not too. Having men respect their overlords won battles he thought. At least it would instill a sense of comradery, even though it was frowned upon. They were all human John thought to himself.

Having waited for his turn. John sipped his water before being on his way to Curthose his tent. Kicking a stone through the dust. Arriving at the tent, he asked the guard if they could announce that Sir John Talbot requested an audience.

Gilbert de Clare stood alongside his cousin Robert of Normandie as John Talbot entered the tent, the map of the upcoming assault behind them.

[Mary The Quene]

"Come on, followers of Christ, we fight today for our holy city!"

Richard said so from the top of the southern siege tower. Many arrows were fired from upon the walls of jerusalem but they would not stop them today, not even a tenthousand arabs would stop them now.

"This for our savior! Richard yelled when the siege tower reached the walls. Quickly Richard embarked from the tower on the walls, there the first enemy fighters stood...

[Jokern]

"Men, brothers of the Cross... today, we march into battle and into history as saviors, warriors for the holy cause."

Tancred looked at his men as they climbed the siege tower at the northern wall, the cross painted on their shields. Silence lingered since the morning mass, the importance of their task weighing heavily on them. The men of de Hauteville would be the first to plant their feet inside the Holy City and lead the assault of its liberation from the heathens.

"Though I regret that we must spill blood on these hallowed grounds, know that our cause is just. God is with us, He has blessed our swords and shields, and in His name shall we take Jerusalem! To arms for Christ the Savior! God wills it!"

His men joined him in chanting, and Tancred could see the fire in their eyes burn brightly. Today was the day. May God have mercy on the souls who opposed them, led astray by false whispers and demonic worship.

[General Brewster]

Gilbert de Clare stood alongside his cousin Robert of Normandie as John Talbot entered the tent, the map of the upcoming assault behind them.

John stood in silence as men above his station seemed busy. He would await his turn. As not to intrude.

Upon the appointed day, a grand mass was held within the encampments by the leading priests and clergy among the crusading army. The morning had come at long last. After mass, soldiers sighted an eagle fly over the encampment from the north, soaring over the city, before veering south and flying over the other crusader encampment. Yet, the eagle remained, circling over Jerusalem before disappearing behind its walls. A priest said it was a messenger from God himself! The eagle would be the eyes of the Lord Almighty and that he would see them victorious! Cheers rose from the crusaders as their commanders came forth and ordered the frontal assault upon the walls of Jerusalem. Slowly, two siege towers, on the north and south walls, lumbered their way forward. The air was filled with the whistling sounds of arrows, the cries of the wounded, and the battle cries of soldiers on all sides. Everything was being put forth for this major assault and it was now or never for the crusaders. Jerusalem had to be taken today... or else.

John stood in anticipation with the men. On the most forward line awaiting the horns to blow and the assault to begin. He could feel sweat going down his arms, underneath his armor and into his gloves. The heat was unbearable. A dry taste in his mouth and his heart racing. His hand trembling lightly. The fear before a battle showing. It would take a moment before he could steady himself. In his line people puked and shook from fear of impending doom. Some stutter and have tears rolling down their cheeks only by the sound of machines of war operating. Fear has gripped them. A terrible fear that would haunt many men who faced combat and experienced it death and destruction. As orders came it would look like John would join the men on the ladders, as he wished himself.

As the men lined up John got pushed behind, as the fear gripped men mustered themselves onto the ladders. Left and right ladders would come crashing down, as would boiling water but it was ordained by the all mighty that John would be on a ladder that remained, that would deliver men unto the walls of the holy city. John must've been the eight or ninth onto the wall, as he got up he had to stab someone with his dagger, a poor muslim fellow was on the receiving end. The dagger pierced right into his liver. A quick death followed. John quickly rallied the man to establish a bridgehead for a cluster of ladders. He and his men bravely slayed many enemies but many Christians would fall during the fighting. Their bowels on the floor and an awful smell ensuing from them. Gone was John's fear for the fight, he now embraced the blood lust. His face hag gone red by the blood that would spray everywhere when vital arteries were hit.

The Battle would remain on the walls for John as he hoped he would soon get further orders.

OOC: Did a roll to see if John is proclaimed Red John by the men, got a 1. Not sure if that spells success or not.

[Gandalfus]

Eustace was amongst the first in Godfrey's siege tower, and would be second behind his brother's retinue to leap onto the walls. It was the great breath before the plunge, a horde of men huddled into a great wooden contraption that rattled along towards the city walls. In full armour, the Count of Boulogne was sweltering, warm sweat now covering his torso and back underneath all the mail and leather, perspiration stinging his eyes as it dribbled down onto his face from the bottom of his helmet. Just as every other battle, a knot of apprehension gripped his stomach. The urge was too much for some men; they vomited what little bile they had in their starving bellies, causing the tower to stink even worse than before.

Then, the fresh air hit. Godfrey must have been the first or second man onto the walls, he and his conroy cutting down the first men unlucky enough to be stood in their way. The eldest followed, shouting for Christ and Boulogne, warm blood staining his mail as cold steel bit into the throat of the nearest of the defenders. Sheer force of manpower was pushing them from the walls, the weight of the armoured men streaming from the tower making them give ground. Soon enough, the north-eastern gate was theirs, and it was forced open after the defenders deserted their posts. More attackers poured inside, the streets filling with the shrieks of war and murder. What would follow was cold and brutal, but it was all these men knew - it was a pilgrimage of killers and murderers, men who lived and died by the sword.

The Arabs had turned to panic, with what was once steely resistance turning into a rout as the gatehouses fell, giving way to a tide of murderous Normans, Franks, Germans, Italians... News quickly reached Boulogne via a runner that Raymond had also joined the assault, the delay of his tower by a ditch having only been temporary. The sight of the fleeing defenders and the realisation that the city was all but theirs was like a wave of euphoria and relief, and for those unfortunate enough to be living in Jerusalem upon that day they would see these joyous victors give in to their zealous blood-lust. Eustace raised his eyes upwards, away from his bloody work and up towards the skyline. King David's Tower loomed over them, and the Count of Boulogne resolved to seize it at whatever cost, leading his troupe of blood-soaked knights deeper into the city.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Raymond's troops moved forward once the siege tower began its path towards the walls. Arrows flew through the air, bouncing off of stone or landing into armor. The horsemen kept their distance as the infantry moved up with ladders or quickly got into the tower as it landed against the wall. Raymond and his personal guard, along with other nobles, were present in the tower as the drawbridge fell and his knights rushed forward, cutting down many and leaving a bloody mess before the tower's entry. From this elevation, Raymond could see the city and its layout. His soldiers were running down the wall and attempting to get the gate open as a fierce melee ensued upon the walls. Already, screams filled the walled city as soldiers ran into the streets, seeking plunder and more.

There two close objectives that the Count of Toulouse could try to acquire. To his left was the Tower of David, a great prize indeed! However, to his right, there was a religious looking building, known as a Mosque. It was quite grand and would be another suitable prize. Between the two, Raymond decides to join his knights in aiming for the Tower of David. However, a contingent is sent, under a Catalan commander, named William Jordan, Count of Berga, to capture the Mosque with the troops at his disposal. The rest spilled into the city as the gate opened and the heavy cavalry charged into the streets.

[Barry Goldwater]

"Up, up! To arms! Today's the day that God's willed His home into our hands!" The sergeant had growled as he pushed and prodded the remnants of the People's Crusade, certainly the worst-equipped and least skilled of the crusaders gathered, into something resembling a line behind the heavy infantry manning the northern siege tower. Twelve-year-old Etienne of Cloyes found himself stuck between a blacksmith too tall for him to peek over and a much shorter old man whose fat had atrophied over the siege, but who was very insistent in pushing everyone in front of him ever forward anyway. Still, as he tightened his grip on his dagger's hilt the words of their one-time leader Peter the Hermit echoed in his ears. Earlier, he had marched barefoot around the city with said hermit, and the recollection of the zeal that had filled him then purged any thought of discomfort or retreat from him: if it had felt then as though the Holy Spirit was upon him and the other crusaders, now it felt to Etienne as though warrior-angels from the Heavenly Host were marching with them, and when God is with you, none can stand against you.

At a signal not known to the boy from Cloyes, the siege tower rumbled forward, and the soldiers and peasant volunteers amassed behind it followed. Etienne couldn't see anything beyond the blacksmith's broad shoulders even when he stood on the tips of his toes, but he could hear the whizzing of missiles cutting through the air and the shouts, screams and curses of the grown-ups ahead. Then the tower reached the wall and the voices of the Franks began to be replaced by wailing and screaming in the tongue of the Saracens, which was still wholly unfamiliar to Etienne despite his experience in watching the camp perimeter for their raiders in past battles and the road here. Only when they fell silent did the peasants finally move forward as one mass, Etienne pushed onward and pushing the people ahead of him whether he and they wanted to move or not, up the siege tower to follow the knights and sergeants who had led the assault.

By the time Etienne had made it off the tower's ramp, the walls were slick with blood and covered in corpses - most didn't look like crusaders, though - and the fighting had already moved on to the gatehouses, which had also just fallen if the sound of the gates creaking open was any indicator. The overpowering stench and sights turned the lad's face green with nausea, and he had to stop in his tracks to cough up a little bile. But that done, the little crusader gamely pressed on. They're just Saracens, he tried to remind himself as he willed his feet to move. Their compatriots killed all my friends who came with me all those months ago, and now they stood and died trying to maintain the Devil's grip on God's city, so this bloodshed can't be helped...he would have taken a deep breath to steady himself further, but the smell would probably have just made him vomit again.

[chesser2538]

Stephen's sat in the saddle, eyes starting out over the arid plains ahead of him. Gusts of dust blew jagged sand against his face and the sweltering sun loomed overhead. The air stank of thousands of unwashed men and the cacophony of war rose up around him. Though through all the discomfort Stephen held a sense of calm steadiness. His mind focused on the task ahead and his heart warmed with divine purpose. This was to be their day. the culmination of years of of bloodshed. Out ahead lay the ancient City of Jerusalem; the holiest of places. Today the Muslim taint would be washed from this place, and Christendom would rule supreme.

Tugging the rains of his mount Stephen readied himself, the Siege Towers were nearing their destination. In short order the walls would be taken, and with them the gates. Once open the Calvary force under him and those of the nobles who had valiantly chosen to take to the walls would usher forth into the city. Wiping beads of sweat from his brow he waited for his moment.

When it came, he raised his eyes to the sky and muttered some final words of prayer then spurred horse forward. His shout rang out through the air to be taken up by thousands. "Deus Vult... Deus Vult... Deus Vult."

---

On another part of the field an older man staggered forward, a chain shirt draped over his stooped shoulders; a gift from a supportive noble. In his right hand he gripped a sword, in his left he held firmly the wooden cross that hung around his neck. Around him stood the remnants of what was once a sizable force. The survivors of this grand ordeal. Fate had brought them to this moment. The lord fought with them this day, and he would see them through. As the siege twoers neared the walls Peter began to utter words of reassurance for himself and those with him. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...

[Lucius Malfoy]

The walls held against the crusaders for only a short while as the zealotry and religious fervor of the Latins began to cause the bodies of the Saracen to pile up. Soon, troops were throwing down their weapons and running into the city, fleeing from the swords and spears of the Europeans. As flags begin to rise over the gatehouses, the gates were flung open, allowing hundreds and thousands of soldiers to swarm into the city. A bloodbath ensued as the crusaders began to pillage and loot Jerusalem for all its wealth. This frenzy was without any restraints as soldiers cut down civilians who got in the way or tried to keep them out of their homes. Buildings began to burn as the looting went to greater and great levels and went further into the city...

The First Crusade had reached its peak. Antioch may have witnessed carnage herself, but this was a carnage unlike any other occasion. Nothing, nobody, could stop this frenzy that erupted.

[Jokern]

The battle flew by in a daze, a mix of sweat and blood and dust and screams all around. The fighting on the walls had been brief as they had quickly pushed forward to reach the ground and open the gates. Then it all blurred. He remembered racing further into the city, towards the Temple Mount, cutting down any who opposed him on his way. A few men had disappeared on the way, no doubt taking part in plundering the city of its riches. He had ignored it, focused only on his goal of reaching the holy ground of Solomon's Temple.

Tancred had stood in awe of the beauty of the Dome of the Rock, its beautiful blue exterior and golden dome that stood untouched by the chaos and bloodshed. Someone had shouted, pointing at the top. Tancred then noticed the people on the roof of the shrine. Civilians seeking refuge, no doubt. On such a holy site, no bloodshed would be spilled, he promised himself. Tancred grabbed his personal banner from its bearer and threw it up on the roof to the people. By his honor, he would protect the sanctity of this place. Yet he could not linger until all of Jerusalem was secured. Leaving a few men to guard the premises, the young knight left the temple grounds and went east, killing any fleeing defenders. The blur continued.

By the time the dust had settled, the Crusaders walked through rivers of blood. The air reeked of iron and smoke, fires still burning around the city. Tancred felt drunk on his burning passion of the battle, but he could still hear the screams. No doubt they would continue into the night as thousands of starved and desperate Crusaders took out their fury on the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Tancred walked back towards the Temple Mount to claim his prize...

The sight that met him cleared his head in an instant. Blood and bodies covered the grounds around the temple, the men he left there had gone with the wind. Beside the slaughtered civilians lay the Hauteville banner, trampled, bloodied and tattered. Tancred could feel his rage spill over and he screamed to the Heavens. By his honor, he had promised sanctuary. By his honor, their safety should have been secured.

Justice was swift and brutal. Tancred had the men he had left at the Temple Mount arrested, charged with neglecting their duties and dishonoring their lord. They were executed on the spot, their heads put on spikes around the Temple area.

[Lord William]

As the men began to rush through the gates Hugh took his men to the city treasury hacking away at the infidels as they ran through the streets. It was a blood bath, the streets were filled with pools of blood and the day had only begun.

Levon was one of the first through the gatehouse, charging in on horseback slaying any person in his way. He rushed to the mosque and entered the through doors, his armour and sword stain with the blood of a 100 people. He looked upon those taking refuge and watched as they feared for their lives. There was no where to run, no where to hide, they would all soon be dead.

Gilbert de Clare would sack the temple of Solomon, He watched as Christian knights slaughtered Jewish women and children. He would try to stop them but the army had become an unruly mob, it was impossible to stop. A young girl fleeing for her life ran behind Gilbert hoping to be spared, she couldn’t have been more than 3. Gilbert’s heart sunk, he couldn’t let his orphaned child die and should she survive he would adopt her.

[Lucius Malfoy]

As the fighting erupted across the city, fifty knights, bearing the count of arms belonging to Raymond, came within the vicinity of the Tower of David. Over half of them dismounted and rushed into the tower, ahead of the infantry being brought up. Raymond joined the vanguard with ten more knights of his retinue and headed into the tower as well. The first level was a bloody mess, but he could hear sounds of fighting above. The Count ordered his knights forward and they joined the fray above. His sword cut into several enemy's dirtying his armor with crimson streaks and smears of blood. Yet his knights pushed on, despite a few losses here and there. The screams and battle noise of the city was slightly dimmed within the Tower, but soon the structure itself was washed with blood, both of his own men and that of the enemy that held this tower.

Eventually, the climb brought them to the top where Raymond could look out at the city. His eyes look out, seeing that the enemy was attempting to flee in all directions. The battle lines were converging as the Northern and Southern forces of the crusading host were entering the central part of Jerusalem. From what he could tell, the battle was nearly won, yet the slaughter had not abated... it probably won't for hours to come. He turns to see some knights coming up, with his banners, and planting them on the Tower of David. At that moment, Raymond raises his hands to the sky.

Praise be to God! Praise be the Almighty for being with us on this day! Lord Above, Jerusalem now belongs to your Faithful!!