A Letter from the First Crusade: The Conquest of Jerusalem, 1099
Summary
TLDRThis 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
📜 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.
📚 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡First Crusade
💡Archbishop of Reims
💡Bishop of Arras
💡Godfrey of Bouillon
💡Raymond IV of Toulouse
💡Jerusalem
💡Crusaders
💡Pagan
💡Patriarch
💡Cross
💡Vineyard
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
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