Fulcher of Chartres

In 1099, Fulcher of Chartres, a chronicler who accompanied the crusaders to the Holy Land, wrote the following selection dealing with the capture of Jerusalem. While it agrees in some particulars with the account of Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, it also contains some glaring differences. Fulcher acknowledges the staunchness of the Moslem defenders and the hardships endured by the crusaders. He also speaks of the crusaders' bloodlust that eventually left no Moslem alive after the city's capture.

When the Franks viewed the city, and saw that it would be difficult to take, our princes ordered wooden ladders to be made. By erecting them against the wall they hoped to scale it, and by a fierce attack enter the city, with God helping.

After they had done this, when the leaders gave the signal and the trumpets sounded, in morning's bright light of...