The Book of Raymond of Aguilers: Historia Francorum qui Ceperunt Iherusalem (1) (Crusade Texts in Translation)

By: James Currie

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Synopsis: The Book of Raymond of Aguilers, also called the Historia Francorum qui Ceperunt Iherusalem, is one of a handful of eyewitness accounts of the First Crusade, the name given to an armed expedition called for by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont in 1095 that journeyed and fought its way to the Holy Land, culminating in the conquest of Jerusalem in July 1099. Raymond’s account primarily follows the journey of Count Raymond IV of Toulouse, also called the count of St. Gilles, which makes it a useful counterpart to the anonymously written Gesta Francorum, another eyewitness account that focuses on the Italian Normans that followed Bohemond. Raymond became the count of St. Gilles’ chaplain during the crusade, and through that proximity to one of the crusade’s leaders, Raymond’s account offers a ringside seat to the leadership dynamics of the crusade. Furthermore, his deliberate focus on the contingent from Provençe provides insight into their social dynamics and the concerns of some of the common people, which is a rarity among medieval narratives.This new translation is the first to be based on the critical edition of the Latin text produced by John France and is intended primarily for the benefit of undergraduates and to make Raymond more accessible in the classroom. It especially aims to improve access to the text for students who, until this translation, have found it difficult to read the text in full and uninterrupted.