A Letter from the First Crusade: The Conquest of Jerusalem, 1099

Summary

This video discusses a letter from the First Crusade, sent by the Archbishop of Reims to the Bishop of Arras, announcing the conquest of Jerusalem. The letter, reflecting the medieval communication style, calls for continued support and prayers for the Christian forces in the Holy Land. It highlights the ongoing struggle and the need for reinforcements, emphasizing the divine role in the Crusaders' success. The video also touches on the political and religious significance of the Crusades, suggesting a sense of chosenness among Christians akin to the Old Testament Israelites.

Takeaways

• 📜 The letter is from the Archbishop of Reims to the Bishop of Arras, announcing the conquest of Jerusalem during the First Crusade.
• 🏰 Jerusalem's capture is described as a divine event, with the city being liberated from pagan rule by the 'sons of God', referring to the Crusaders.
• 👑 Duke Godfrey of Bouillon is mentioned as the elected leader by the Crusader army, though he took the title of Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre instead of King.
• 🙏 The Archbishop urges the Bishop to command all parish churches to pray for the success of the Crusaders and the protection of the newly conquered territories.
• 🔄 Despite the conquest, there's a call for continued support and reinforcement, indicating ongoing conflict and the need for sustained military and spiritual efforts.
• 📨 The letter reflects the medieval method of news dissemination, starting as rumors and later confirmed, highlighting the slow and often uncertain spread of information.
• ✝️ The Archbishop's language suggests a strong belief in the divine guidance and approval of the Crusade, viewing it as part of God's plan.
• 📚 The letter is part of a collection in the book 'The First Crusade: The Chronicle of Fulcher of Chartres and Other Source Materials', edited by Edward Peters.
• 🌐 The script discusses the concept of Christendom as a political and religious entity, viewing the Crusaders as an extension of God's will on earth.
• 📢 The Archbishop's directive to the Bishop also serves as a call to action for the Christian community to support the Crusaders, both spiritually and materially.

Q & A

Who was the Archbishop of Reims mentioned in the letter?

The Archbishop of Reims mentioned in the letter is not explicitly named, but he is referred to as 'men assist the second Archbishop of Reims'.

To whom was the letter addressed?

The letter was addressed to Lambert, the Bishop of Arras.

What significant event is the letter announcing?

The letter announces the conquest of Jerusalem by Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond the fourth of Toulouse at the end of the First Crusade.

What does the Archbishop instruct the Bishop of Arras to do?

The Archbishop instructs the Bishop of Arras to ensure that all who took the cross but did not go on the Crusade should now go, and to encourage others to take the cross and support the Christians in Jerusalem.

How does the Archbishop describe the liberation of Jerusalem?

The Archbishop describes the liberation of Jerusalem as having been achieved through the 'incomparable might of the sons of God,' suggesting a divine intervention.

What title does the Archbishop suggest for Godfrey of Bouillon?

The Archbishop refers to Godfrey of Bouillon as the 'King of the Christians,' although it is noted that Godfrey did not take the title of King and instead took the title of Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre.

What is the significance of the Archbishop's reference to 'the sons of God'?

The reference to 'the sons of God' signifies the Archbishop's view that the Crusaders were divinely chosen, akin to the Old Testament idea of the Israelites as God's chosen people.

What does the Archbishop believe about the spread of the news of Jerusalem's conquest?

The Archbishop believes that the news of Jerusalem's conquest was spread by God Himself, indicating a divine role in the dissemination of this information.

What is the source material for this letter?

The letter is sourced from the book 'The First Crusade: The Chronicle of Fulcher of Chartres and Other Source Materials,' edited by Edward Peters.

What is the historical context of the letter in terms of the Crusades?

The letter provides a primary source account of the First Crusade, reflecting the immediate aftermath of the conquest of Jerusalem and the ongoing efforts to secure and support the Crusader States.

What was the state of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the time of the letter?

At the time of the letter, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was in its infancy, consisting mainly of Jerusalem and a few coastal cities, and was not yet a fully unified state.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The First Crusade's Victory Announced

This paragraph discusses a historical letter from the First Crusade, sent by the Archbishop of Reims to the Bishop of Arras, announcing the conquest of Jerusalem by Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond IV of Toulouse. The letter, which would have been widely circulated in Western Europe, expresses joy and gratitude for the divine intervention that led to the liberation of Jerusalem from pagan rule. It also calls for continued support and prayers for the Christian forces in the Holy Land, emphasizing the ongoing need for military and spiritual aid despite the initial success. The Archbishop urges the Bishop to ensure that those who had vowed to join the Crusade but did not initially do so, now fulfill their vows, and to encourage others to take up the Cross. The letter reflects the medieval understanding of the Crusades as a divine mission, with the Crusaders seen as 'sons of God' and the events as part of a larger divine plan.

05:01

📚 Insights from 'The First Crusade: The Chronicle of Fulcher of Chartres and Other Source Materials'

In the second paragraph, the speaker, J. Stephen Roberts, provides context and commentary on the letter from the First Crusade discussed in the previous paragraph. He mentions that the news of Jerusalem's fall initially arrived as a rumor, which was later confirmed, illustrating how information was disseminated in the medieval period. Roberts highlights the Archbishop's belief that God Himself was spreading the news of the Crusade's success. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation for the book 'The First Crusade: The Chronicle of Fulcher of Chartres and Other Source Materials,' edited by Edward Peters, which contains primary source accounts of the First Crusade. Roberts invites listeners to engage with his YouTube channel and website, 'real Crusades history.com,' and to follow them on social media.

Keywords

💡First Crusade

The First Crusade refers to the first of a series of religious wars initiated by European Christians in an effort to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control. It took place in the late 11th century, and the video script discusses a letter announcing the conquest of Jerusalem by Christian forces, marking a significant event in the crusade. The First Crusade is central to the video's theme as it sets the historical context for the discussed letter and its implications.

💡Archbishop of Reims

The Archbishop of Reims was a high-ranking ecclesiastical official in the Catholic Church, responsible for overseeing the diocese of Reims. In the script, the Archbishop of Reims is the author of the letter, indicating his authority and the importance of his communication. His role is crucial as he is disseminating news of the Crusade's success and issuing directives to other clergy, thus playing a key part in the religious and political narrative of the time.

💡Bishop of Arras

The Bishop of Arras was another ecclesiastical leader, similar to the Archbishop but with jurisdiction over the diocese of Arras. In the letter, the Bishop of Arras is the recipient of the Archbishop's message, highlighting the hierarchical structure within the Church and the flow of information from higher to lower authorities. His position is significant as it represents the local church's response to the events of the Crusade.

💡Godfrey of Bouillon

Godfrey of Bouillon was a prominent leader during the First Crusade and is mentioned in the script as one of the conquerors of Jerusalem. Despite his refusal to take the title of 'King', he is referred to as such in the letter, reflecting the ongoing struggle for power and recognition in the newly conquered territories. His role is pivotal as it symbolizes the Christian leadership and military success in the Crusade.

💡Raymond IV of Toulouse

Raymond IV of Toulouse was another key figure in the First Crusade, noted for his military prowess and leadership. The script mentions him alongside Godfrey of Bouillon in the context of the conquest of Jerusalem, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of various Christian leaders in achieving this significant victory.

💡Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city of profound religious significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. In the script, it is the ultimate goal of the Crusade and the focal point of the letter's announcement. The city's conquest is portrayed as a divinely ordained event, reflecting the religious fervor and the ideological underpinnings of the Crusade.

💡Crusaders

The term 'Crusaders' refers to the Christian warriors who participated in the Crusades. In the script, they are described as 'the sons of God', indicating their perceived role as divine instruments in the reclamation of the Holy Land. This characterization underscores the religious motivation behind the Crusades and the perceived sanctity of their mission.

💡Pagan

In the context of the Crusades, 'pagan' was a term used by Christians to describe non-Christians, often with a negative connotation. The script mentions Jerusalem being liberated 'from most cruel pagan servitude', which reflects the religious intolerance and the perceived need to 'save' the Holy Land from non-Christian control.

💡Patriarch

A Patriarch is a high-ranking ecclesiastical title, often used to denote the leader of an autocephalous or semi-autocephalous church. In the script, the Patriarch of Jerusalem is mentioned, signifying the establishment of a Christian religious authority in the conquered city. This role is significant as it represents the consolidation of Christian power and influence in the region.

💡Cross

The 'Cross' is a symbol of Christianity and was used as a sign by those who pledged to participate in the Crusades. The script mentions those who 'took the sign of the Cross upon themselves', indicating their commitment to the cause. The Cross symbolizes the religious identity and the sacrificial nature of the Crusaders' journey.

💡Vineyard

The 'vineyard' is a biblical metaphor often used to represent the community of believers or the work of God's kingdom. In the script, the phrase 'laboring in the vineyard' is used to encourage support for the Crusaders, suggesting that all contributions, whether direct or indirect, are part of a divine mission. This metaphor reinforces the religious significance of the Crusade and the collective responsibility of Christians.

Highlights

Letter from the First Crusade discussing the conquest of Jerusalem.

Communication from Archbishop of Reims to Bishop of Arras.

Announcement of Jerusalem's conquest by Godfrey of Bouillon and Raymond IV of Toulouse.

The letter as a representation of post-victory communication in Western Europe.

Emphasis on the divine role in the liberation of Jerusalem from pagan servitude.

Call for joyful celebration due to the Christian faith's mirroring in the event.

Admonition for prayers, fasts, and almsgiving for the new Christian king and patriarch.

Directive to compel those who vowed to go on the Crusade but didn't, to now proceed to Jerusalem.

Encouragement to aid the people of God, ensuring support for the Crusaders in Jerusalem.

Description of the Kingdom of Jerusalem as a nascent state post-conquest.

Reference to Godfrey's title as 'advocate' rather than 'king', reflecting political nuances.

The ongoing military role of Godfrey despite Jerusalem's conquest.

The Archbishop's view of the Crusaders as 'sons of God', echoing Old Testament themes.

Concept of Christendom as a divine society on earth, reflecting political Christianity.

The medieval method of news dissemination, starting with rumors and later confirmed.

The Archbishop's belief that God Himself is spreading the news of Jerusalem's fall.

Recommendation of the book 'The First Crusade: The Chronicle of Fulcher of Chartres and Other Source Materials'.

Invitation to engage with 'Real Crusades History' and subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Transcripts

I'd like to share with you today a

letter from the First Crusade this is a

letter that went out from the Archbishop

of Reims to the bishop of Arras

essentially this is a letter announcing

the conquest of Jerusalem by Godfrey of

bouillon and Raymond the fourth of

toluse at the end of the first crusade

this is the sort of communication that

would have been very common right after

this great triumph all over Western

Europe people were talking about how the

Crusaders had just taken Jerusalem so

I'd like to share this with you

this is men assist the second Archbishop

of Reims to Lambert Bishop of Arras

menaces by grace of God Archbishop of

Reims to Lambert

his brother Bishop of Arras greeting in

Jesus Christ be it known to you dearest

brother that a true and joyful rumor has

recently come to our ears which we

believe to have come down not from human

knowledge but from the divine majesty to

wit Jerusalem stands on high with joy

and gladness which it has so gloriously

received from God in our times Jerusalem

the city of our redemption and glory

delights with inconceivable joy and

because through the effort and

incomparable might of the sons of God it

has been liberated from most cruel pagan

servitude and let us also be joyful

whose Christian faith in such times as

these has been placed in a mirror of

eternal clarity we therefore admonished

summoned and compelled not only through

the letters of Lord Pascal but also

through the most humble prayers of Duke

Godfrey whom the army of Christ by

divine Direction elected as King as well

as by the mellifluous and treatise of

Lord Arnold whom they have chosen

unanimously as patriarch of the Sea of

Jerusalem we command with equal

affection that you have every one of

your parish churches without fail pray

with fasts and almsgiving

that the king of kings and the Lord of

lords crowned the king of the Christians

with victory against the enemy and the

patriarch with religion and

wisdom against the sex and deceptions of

heretics

we command likewise and admonish through

your obedience that you constrain by

threat all who vowed to go on the

expedition and took the sign of the

Cross upon themselves to set out for

Jerusalem if they are vigorous of body

and have the means to accomplish the

journey as for the others however do not

cease skillfully and most about ly to

admonish them not to neglect aiding the

people of God so that not only the first

but likewise the last may receive the

shilling which is promised to those

laboring in the vineyard farewell so a

couple of interesting things about this

letter noticed how this archbishop he's

telling the bishop of Aris who's under

him that he needs to make everybody who

took the cross but didn't go to go ahead

and go now and he also says and also try

to get more people to take the cross so

that's interesting after the taking of

Jerusalem there wasn't this feeling of

oh well everything's done now there was

a feeling that we need to bring help to

this small army of Christians who are

still in Jerusalem under the authority

of Godfrey boo-yan and he even says in

there oh god you know grants Duke

Godfrey who actually says he's called

him the king grant him victory over the

heathens now that's interesting too you

know so he's talking about there there

is still gonna be fighting in the Holy

Land Godfrey is still a military

commander who's going to be engaged in

warfare with the local Muslims

although Jerusalem has been secured and

of course we know at this point the

Kingdom of Jerusalem was very much it

was barely a state at all it was just

Jerusalem and a couple of coastal cities

and a few other sites that had not

really been unified by the taking of the

full country so and yeah he calls him

King which is interesting of course we

know God freely on did not take the

title of King and he took the title of

advocate of the Holy Sepulchre but there

probably was still a fairly widespread

idea in certain areas that he was the

King of Jerusalem at this point and I

like to

the archbishop talks about how this

happened he says it happened through the

incomparable might of the sons of God

very interesting he's talking about of

course the Crusaders but yeah it's just

an interesting way of describing them

the sons of God you know there really

was this sense among Latin Christianity

that they were God's people almost like

an emulation of the Old Testaments idea

of the Israelites is the chosen people

they were God's Society here on earth

for 11th century Christians there was a

very strong idea of political

Christianity you know Christendom as

this society representative of God on

earth and of course also he talks about

how this is the work of God God is

spreading this news it's interesting he

says it's a rumor at first that he heard

that Jerusalem had fallen and then he's

recently had it confirmed that's kind of

the way news travelled in the medieval

world you know you'd hear sort of some

chatter at first eventually you'd get

some solid confirmation of that and he

says here that he thinks God Himself is

spreading this word really interesting

letter this is from a book called the

first crusade the chronicle of full care

of schardt and other source materials

edited by Edward Peters it's a great

little collection of primary source

accounts of the first crusade I

recommend you pick it up so again thanks

for listening to this my name is J

Stephen Roberts please check us out on

real Crusades history.com don't forget

to subscribe to this YouTube channel and

like us on Facebook thanks