Robert the Monk's History of the First Crusade: Historia Iherosolimitana (Crusade Texts in Translation)

This is the first English translation of Robert the Monk's Historia Iherosolimitana, a Latin prose chronicle describing the First Crusade. In addition to providing new and unique information on the Crusade (Robert claims to have been an eyewitness of the Council of Clermont in 1095), its particular interest lies in the great popularity it enjoyed in the Middle Ages. The text has close links with the vernacular literary tradition and is written in a racy style which would not disgrace a modern tabloid journalist. Its reflection of contemporary legends and anecdotes gives us insights into perceptions of the Crusade at that time and opens up interesting perspectives onto the relationship of history and fiction in the twelfth century. The introduction discusses what we know about Robert, his importance as a historical source and his place in the literary tradition of the First Crusade. - About the volume (on flyleaf). Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 4 Title Page......Page 6 Copyright Page......Page 7 Table of Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 13 Introduction......Page 14 Chapter 1: The textual history of the Historia Iherosolimitana......Page 16 Chapter 2: Robert and the Gesta Francorum......Page 27 Chapter 3: Robert’s relationship with other sources and value as a historical source......Page 43 Chapter 4: Robert as author: the theologian, the historiographer and the storyteller......Page 63 Chapter 5: Principles of translation......Page 84 Translation of Robert the Monk’s Historia Iherosolimitana Sermo Apologeticus......Page 88 Sermo Apologeticus......Page 91 Prologue......Page 93 Book I: The Council of Clermont and the Crusade of Peter the Hermit: November 1095-October 1096......Page 94 Book II: The journey to Constantinople and negotiations there: October 1096-April 1097......Page 104 Book III: Nicaea, Dorylaeum and the arrival at Antioch: May 1097-October 1097......Page 118 Book IV: The siege of Antioch: October 1097-February 1098......Page 136 Book V: Events leading to the fall of Antioch: February 1098-June 1098......Page 151 Book VI: The Christians besieged in Antioch: June 1098......Page 162 Book VII: Victory at Antioch: June 1098-October 1098......Page 176 Book VIII: From Antioch to Jerusalem: November 1098-June 1099......Page 195 Book IX: The fall of Jerusalem and the battle of Ascalon: June 1099-August 1099......Page 211 The supposed letter from Alexius Comnenus to Robert, Count of Flanders......Page 230 The letter from the Patriarch of Jerusalem and other bishops to the Churches of the West......Page 237 Bibliography......Page 239 Index......Page 248 This Is The First English Translation Of Robert The Monk's Historia Iherosolimitana, A Latin Prose Chronicle Describing The First Crusade. In Addition To Providing New And Unique Information On The Crusade (robert Claims To Have Been An Eyewitness Of The Council Of Clermont In 1095), Its Particular Interest Lies In The Great Popularity It Enjoyed In The Middle Ages.--jacket. The Textual History Of The Historia Iherosolimitana -- Robert And The Gesta Francorum -- Robert's Relationship With Other Sources And Value As A Historical Source -- Robert As Author : The Theologian, The Historiographer, And The Storyteller -- Principles Of Translation -- Sermo Apologeticus -- Prologue -- Book I : The Council Of Clermont And The Crusade Of Peter The Hermit : November 1095-october 1096 -- Book Ii : The Journey To Constantinople And Negotiations There : October 1096-april 1097 -- Book Iii : Nicaea, Dorylaeum, And The Arrival At Antioch : May 1097-october 1097 -- Book Iv : The Siege Of Antioch : October 1097-february 1098 -- Book V : Events Leading To The Fall Of Antioch : February 1098-june 1098 -- Book Vi : The Christians Besieged In Antioch : June 1098 -- Book Vii : Victory At Antioch : June 1098-october 1098 -- Book Viii : From Antioch To Jerusalem : November 1098-june 1099 -- Book Ix : The Fall Of Jerusalem And The Battle Of Ascalon : June 1099-august 1099 -- The Supposed Letter From Alexius Comnenus To Robert, Count Of Flanders -- The Letter From The Patriarch Of Jerusalem And Other Bishops To The Churches Of The West. Translated By Carol Sweetenham. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [224]-231) And Index. Cover 1 Half Title 4 Title Page 6 Copyright Page 7 Table of Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 13 Introduction 14 Chapter 1: The textual history of the Historia Iherosolimitana 16 Chapter 2: Robert and the Gesta Francorum 27 Chapter 3: Robert’s relationship with other sources and value as a historical source 43 Chapter 4: Robert as author: the theologian, the historiographer and the storyteller 63 Chapter 5: Principles of translation 84 Translation of Robert the Monk’s Historia Iherosolimitana Sermo Apologeticus 88 Sermo Apologeticus 91 Prologue 93 Book I: The Council of Clermont and the Crusade of Peter the Hermit: November 1095-October 1096 94 Book II: The journey to Constantinople and negotiations there: October 1096-April 1097 104 Book III: Nicaea, Dorylaeum and the arrival at Antioch: May 1097-October 1097 118 Book IV: The siege of Antioch: October 1097-February 1098 136 Book V: Events leading to the fall of Antioch: February 1098-June 1098 151 Book VI: The Christians besieged in Antioch: June 1098 162 Book VII: Victory at Antioch: June 1098-October 1098 176 Book VIII: From Antioch to Jerusalem: November 1098-June 1099 195 Book IX: The fall of Jerusalem and the battle of Ascalon: June 1099-August 1099 211 Appendix: Two letters calling Christians on Crusade 230 The supposed letter from Alexius Comnenus to Robert, Count of Flanders 230 The letter from the Patriarch of Jerusalem and other bishops to the Churches of the West 237 Bibliography 239 Index 248