Godfrey of Bouillon and the Capture of Jerusalem, 1099 (Edexcel A-Level History): Revision Notes

Godfrey of Bouillon and the Capture of Jerusalem, 1099

Introduction

By early 1099, the First Crusade had survived numerous challenges, including prolonged sieges and leadership disputes. However, the final push to Jerusalem would see a dramatic shift in leadership from Raymond of Toulouse to Godfrey of Bouillon. This change would prove crucial to the successful capture of the Holy City.

The fall of Raymond of Toulouse

Raymond's march south and initial support

In early 1099, Raymond of Toulouse began his march southward toward Jerusalem with significant backing from key crusader leaders. Tancred of Hauteville supported him from the rear of his forces, and two days later Robert of Normandy joined the march. By the end of March, Godfrey of Bouillon and Robert of Flanders had also aligned themselves with Raymond. These powerful nobles were essential to Raymond's continued dominance over the crusading armies.

The siege of Argah and Raymond's personal ambitions

Raymond's leadership began to crumble when he made a critical strategic error. Upon arriving at Argah on 14 February 1099, he decided to besiege the city. This decision revealed his true priorities: rather than focusing on the crusade's main objective of capturing Jerusalem, Raymond was pursuing his personal ambition to control nearby Tripoli and establish his own county there.

This selfish strategy pushed the patience of his supporters to breaking point. The hardened crusaders who had survived the long journey expected their leader to prioritise Jerusalem, not personal territorial gain.

Loss of control and transfer of allegiances

The final blow to Raymond's leadership came on 13 May 1099. He received news that the caliph of Baghdad was approaching with a powerful relief force. Raymond's confidence failed him completely, and he abandoned the siege of Argah. This loss of nerve had immediate consequences.

Tancred, recognising that Raymond's commitment to the crusade had faltered, switched his allegiance to Godfrey of Bouillon. The march to Jerusalem resumed on 16 May 1099. As the crusaders approached the Holy City, Robert of Normandy also transferred his support to Godfrey. Raymond's hopes of leading the crusaders to victory had been destroyed by his attempt to prioritise personal power over the crusade's goals.

The siege of Jerusalem

Duration and organisation of forces

The attack on Jerusalem's walls lasted five weeks. The crusading forces were divided into two main groups:

• Western attack: Led by Godfrey of Bouillon, including Robert of Flanders, Robert of Normandy, and Tancred
• Southern attack: Led by Raymond of Toulouse's contingent

Despite the bitter rivalry between Godfrey and Raymond, both forces worked toward the common goal of capturing the city.

The breakthrough on 15 July 1099

On 15 July 1099, Godfrey's forces achieved a decisive breakthrough. Having shifted their focus to the eastern wall of Jerusalem, they successfully crossed the fortifications using a siege tower. The garrison withdrew to the citadel and surrendered after Raymond offered them protection.

The massacre

Reasons for the quick success

The siege of Jerusalem took only five weeks, compared to the seven and a half months the crusaders had endured at Antioch. Three key factors explain this remarkably quick success:

1. Flexible strategies: Godfrey demonstrated tactical adaptability throughout the siege. He initially focused on the western wall, but when this approach failed to produce results, he shifted the attack to the northern wall. When this also proved unsuccessful, he redirected forces to the eastern wall, where the crusaders finally achieved their breakthrough using siege towers. This flexibility prevented the siege from becoming bogged down.

2. Personal leadership: Godfrey of Bouillon was willing to fight at the heart of the attack alongside his troops. This hands-on leadership style raised morale significantly and maintained his soldiers' commitment to enduring yet another siege after their gruelling experiences at Antioch and elsewhere.

3. Hardened core of crusaders: By the time they reached Jerusalem, the crusading force (aside from Raymond of Toulouse) consisted of an experienced, united, and loyal group of soldiers. They had survived long marches, protracted sieges, and periods of weak leadership. This battle-hardened force was fully prepared for the challenge of besieging Jerusalem and determined to complete their mission.

Securing control: Godfrey of Bouillon as ruler

The Battle of Ascalon

Jerusalem had fallen, but the First Crusade faced one final crisis. A Muslim counter-attack was advancing from Egypt. By 4 August 1099, Muslim forces had established camp outside Ascalon, threatening the crusaders' recent victory.

Godfrey acted quickly, contacting the forces of Robert of Flanders, Robert of Normandy, and despite their ongoing conflict, Raymond of Toulouse. The crusading leaders gathered at Ibelin on 12 August 1099 and launched a surprise attack. Thanks largely to Raymond's quick thinking during the battle, the Egyptian camp was captured and the threat eliminated.

Godfrey elected ruler of Jerusalem

On 22 July 1099, Godfrey of Bouillon was elected ruler of Jerusalem. This decision infuriated Raymond of Toulouse, who remembered the disputes over Antioch and refused to accept the outcome peacefully. With memories of previous conflicts fresh in his mind, Raymond seized control of the strategically important Tower of David and refused to hand it over.

However, this time the confrontation did not drag on. Raymond was betrayed by one of his own followers, who handed the Tower over to Godfrey. This marked the end of Raymond's immediate challenge to Godfrey's authority.

Ongoing disputes and the failure to capture Ascalon

The bitterness between Godfrey and Raymond resurfaced after the Battle of Ascalon. The crusaders remained divided and were unable to agree on surrender terms for the town of Ascalon itself. As a result, this strategically important city remained in enemy hands, providing a base for future Muslim counter-attacks to the south of Jerusalem.

The end of the First Crusade

With Jerusalem secure, despite the ongoing threat from Ascalon to the south, the First Crusade came to an end:

• Robert of Normandy and Robert of Flanders began their journey home
• Raymond of Toulouse continued attempting to capture additional towns but failed. He eventually made his way back to Constantinople and later led the Crusade of 1101, though with limited success
• Godfrey of Bouillon remained as ruler of Jerusalem, though his control was complicated by the unresolved situation at Ascalon

Key terms

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