Replies to post #88329 on Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[ergo sum]

So what's new?

The Crusaders spilled each other’s blood, shook hands in the morning, and then took out their grievances on the towns that lay in their path.

Chief among these was Antioch, a great trading city. In order to conquer Jerusalem, the Franks had to take Antioch first, to cover their backs, but the city was well supplied and had seemingly impregnable walls. The siege of Antioch lasted more than seven months, during which period many men deserted and many others died of hunger. By the time it was over, the Crusaders were in no mood for mercy. They killed almost everyone, including the resident Christians. And now the quarrels over who would get what escalated. Jerusalem was three days’ march down the road, but it took the Crusaders half a year to set out on that journey, because two rival knights were fighting over control of Antioch, and neither would leave the city in the other’s hands. Finally, a large contingent left for Jerusalem. Outside the city, they tarried for another month, building war machines and arguing again over the division of the anticipated spoils. Then they attacked. According to contemporary accounts, they left not one Muslim alive. The city’s Jews took refuge in their temple; the Franks barricaded the exits and set the building on fire. At the end of the sack, Asbridge writes, the Crusaders “came, still covered in their enemies’ blood, weighed down with booty, ‘rejoicing and weeping with excessive gladness to worship at the Sepulchre of our Savior Jesus.’” (He is quoting an eyewitness.) They had fulfilled their vow.
http://www.newyorker.com/critics/books/?041213crbo_books