Raymond of Aguilers
Encyclopedia
Raymond of Aguilers was a chronicler of the First Crusade
(1096–1099). He followed the Provençal
army of crusaders, guided by count Raymond IV of Toulouse
, to Jerusalem.
He was educated as a clerk in a monastery of Vézelay
and all traces of him are lost after the capture of Jerusalem
. As an eyewitness of the events of the First Crusade, he is one of the most important chroniclers of the crusade. Because he describes some visions and miracles of the crusaders—for example the discovering of the Holy Lance
of Peter Bartholomew
—at length, some modern historians do not take his work very seriously. However, his description of the capture of Antioch
(from 1097–1098) may be the only authentic explanation of this event.
His work is entitled Historia Francorum qui ceperunt Iherusalem and was translated from Latin
into modern French
at the beginning of the 19th century by the French scholar François Guizot
, in "Memoires sur l'histoire de France" (1824), XXI, 227–397. The Latin text was first published by Jacques Bongars
(Gesta Dei per Francos, I, 139-183), and again in the "Recueil des historiens occidentaux des croisades" (1866), 235–309.
First Crusade
The First Crusade was a military expedition by Western Christianity to regain the Holy Lands taken in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, ultimately resulting in the recapture of Jerusalem...
(1096–1099). He followed the Provençal
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
army of crusaders, guided by count Raymond IV of Toulouse
Raymond IV of Toulouse
Raymond IV of Toulouse , sometimes called Raymond of St Gilles, was Count of Toulouse, Duke of Narbonne, and Margrave of Provence and one of the leaders of the First Crusade. He was a son of Pons of Toulouse and Almodis de La Marche...
, to Jerusalem.
He was educated as a clerk in a monastery of Vézelay
Vézelay
Vézelay is a commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in north-central France. It is a defendable hill town famous for Vézelay Abbey. The town and the Basilica of St Magdelene are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites....
and all traces of him are lost after the capture of Jerusalem
Siege of Jerusalem (1099)
The Siege of Jerusalem took place from June 7 to July 15, 1099 during the First Crusade. The Crusaders stormed and captured the city from Fatimid Egypt.-Background:...
. As an eyewitness of the events of the First Crusade, he is one of the most important chroniclers of the crusade. Because he describes some visions and miracles of the crusaders—for example the discovering of the Holy Lance
Holy Lance
The Holy Lance is the name given to the lance that pierced Jesus' side as he hung on the cross in John's account of the Crucifixion.-Biblical references:The lance is mentioned only in the Gospel of John and not in any of the...
of Peter Bartholomew
Peter Bartholomew
Peter Bartholomew was a soldier and mystic from France who was part of the First Crusade.In December, 1097, during the siege of Antioch, Peter began to have visions, mostly of St. Andrew. Peter claimed St. Andrew took him to the Church of St. Peter, inside Antioch, and showed him where the relic...
—at length, some modern historians do not take his work very seriously. However, his description of the capture of Antioch
Siege of Antioch
The Siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade in 1097 and 1098. The first siege, by the crusaders against the Muslim city, lasted from October 21, 1097, to June 2, 1098. The second siege, against the crusaders who had occupied it, lasted from June 7 to June 28, 1098.-Background:Antioch...
(from 1097–1098) may be the only authentic explanation of this event.
His work is entitled Historia Francorum qui ceperunt Iherusalem and was translated from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
into modern French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
at the beginning of the 19th century by the French scholar François Guizot
François Guizot
François Pierre Guillaume Guizot was a French historian, orator, and statesman. Guizot was a dominant figure in French politics prior to the Revolution of 1848, a conservative liberal who opposed the attempt by King Charles X to usurp legislative power, and worked to sustain a constitutional...
, in "Memoires sur l'histoire de France" (1824), XXI, 227–397. The Latin text was first published by Jacques Bongars
Jacques Bongars
Jacques Bongars , French scholar and diplomatist, was born at Orléans, and was brought up in the reformed faith. He obtained his early education at Marburg and Jena, and returning to France continued his studies at Orléans and Bourges...
(Gesta Dei per Francos, I, 139-183), and again in the "Recueil des historiens occidentaux des croisades" (1866), 235–309.