Crusaders supported the emir of 'Azaz against his overlord, Ridwan of Aleppo

Summary:
Ridwan, ruler of Aleppo, suffered constant annoyance from the ruler of 'Azaz, his subordinate. He therefore decided to capture 'Azaz, ordering his other subject rulers to gather there for an attack. The ruler of 'Azaz sought aid from Godfrey at Antioch, who at first was suspicious, but later was persuaded when the ruler delivered his son Muhammad as a hostage. He sent his agreement by carrier pigeon. Godfrey also called his brother Baldwin from Edessa. Baldwin came with large forces, advising Godfrey to involve the other crusaders. But Bohemond and Raymond of Toulouse at first refused to join Godfrey and Baldwin, jealous that the invitation had not come to them also. At another level, the wife of Folbert of Bouillon was captured when her husband was killed on the road from Antioch to Edessa, and she was taken to 'Azaz. The Turkish commander of mercenaries at 'Azaz was smitten by her appearance, and asked to be married to her in lieu of wages. This was done, and the bridegroom became a strong advocate of 'Azaz's new Frankish alliance. Godfrey pleaded the need for crusader cohesion, and persuaded Bohemond and Raymond to bring their armies to 'Azaz, making too large a show of force for Ridwan to continue his attack. He disbanded his army after a vain attempt to ambush the crusaders, which caused casualties on both sides. After the withdrawal of Ridwan, the ruler of 'Azaz publicly thanked Godfrey for his help, and the two swore everlasting alliance; he received from Godfrey as a gift a beautiful helmet and hauberk belonging to Heribrand of Bouillon. Despite careful treatment, the ruler's son Muhammad would die: but he accepted Godfrey's explanations, and did not break their alliance 
Dates:
1098 September 
[Emeline], wife of Folbert of Bouillon (Anonyma 26104)
  • She was treated honourably by Anonymus 26124 while he inquired if she was worth a good ransom; but soon she was seen by Anonymus 26125, who desired her, and asked her gaoler if he might marry her in lieu of wages; the marriage took place (:) Albert of Aachen V.5
  • After the victory over Kerbogha 4001, she was travelling to Edessa for supplies with Folbert 26101 and his brothers, when he was captured and killed by Turks; she was carried off to 'Azaz and imprisoned by Anonymus 26124 (:) Albert of Aachen V.5
lord of 'Azaz (Anonymus 26124)
  • Besieged by overlord Ridwan 4001 of Aleppo, sought support from Godfrey 51; Godfrey offered help, summoning Baldwin 51 and (eventually) other crusaders; Ridwan disbanded army, and ruler of 'Azaz swore fealty to Godfrey and others (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 3.1-4.54
  • After the withdrawal of Ridwan 4001, he publicly thanked Godfrey 51 for his help, and the two swore everlasting alliance; he received from Godfrey as a gift a beautiful helmet and hauberk belonging to Heribrand 26101 (:) Albert of Aachen V.12
  • He prepared for the siege by Ridwan 4001, which duly began; but troops from Godfrey 51 at Antioch (and eventually from Bohemond 61 and Raymond 61 also), and from Baldwin 51 at Edessa, forced Ridwan, after skirmishes, to withdraw (:) Albert of Aachen V.10-12
  • His newly married mercenary, Anonymus 26125, redoubled his efforts against Ridwan 4001, the enemy of 'Azaz, making Ridwan gather his vassals so as to capture 'Azaz; Anonymus 26125 urged him to defend himself by alliance with Godfrey 51 (:) Albert of Aachen V.7
  • He ordered his prisoner, Anonyma 26104, to be treated honourably while he inquired if she was worth a good ransom; but soon Anonymus 26125 saw her, desired her, and asked her gaoler if he might marry her in lieu of wages; the marriage took place (:) Albert of Aachen V.5
  • Persuaded by Anonymus 26125 to ally himself with the Christian conquerors of Kerbogha 4001, he sent Anonymus 26126 to Godfrey 51 at Antioch, praising his strength and loyalty, seeking to put the defence of 'Azaz in his hands; Godfrey was suspicious (:) Albert of Aachen V.7-8
  • When it was reported to him that Godfrey 51 was suspicious of his proposal of alliance, he sent Muhammed 101 as a hostage; Godfrey immediately agreed to defend 'Azaz, news which was sent back to 'Azaz by pigeon, for speed and security (:) Albert of Aachen V.9
  • His son died in Antioch, despite careful treatment from the men of Godfrey 51, and he received him back in 'Azaz in purple cloth; despite this, he accepted Godfrey's explanations, and still remained true to the peace they had agreed (:) Albert of Aachen V.32
Turkish knight who married a Christian (Anonymus 26125)
  • He saw the prisoner Anonyma 26104 at 'Azaz, desired her, and asked her gaoler Anonymus 26124 if he might marry her in lieu of wages; the marriage took place, and he joyfully redoubled his attacks on Aleppo on behalf of his lord, angering Ridwan 4001 (:) Albert of Aachen V.5-6
  • He made a speech to Anonymus 26124, realising that he and 'Azaz were in danger from Ridwan 4001, urging him to ally himself to Godfrey 51, conqueror of Kerbogha 4001, so as to have Christian assistance against Ridwan (:) Albert of Aachen V.7
Syrian Christian emissary of the Lord of 'Azaz (Anonymus 26126)
  • He was sent by Anonymus 26124 to Antioch to persuade Godfrey 51 to an alliance, to beat off Ridwan 4001 from 'Azaz; he praised Christian strength and loyalty, wanting to put his defence in Godfrey's hands; but Godfrey and his men were suspicious (:) Albert of Aachen V.7-8
Baldwin of Boulogne, Baldwin I, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 51)
  • Was summoned by Godfrey 51 to help support Anonymus 26124, besieged by Ridwan 4001; came with large forces, advising Godfrey to involve other crusaders; Ridwan disbanded army, and Anonymus 26124 swore fealty to Godfrey and others (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 3.17-4.54
  • When Godfrey 51 marched to the defence of 'Azaz, he summoned Baldwin, who came at once, and helped to drive off Ridwan 4001 (:) Albert of Aachen V.10-11
Bohemond of Taranto (Bohemond 61)
  • When Godfrey 51 marched to defend 'Azaz, Bohemond and Raymond 61 refused to follow, jealous because Anonymus 26124 had approached him, not them; Godfrey replied angrily that this would destroy crusader cohesion; they repented and set out (:) Albert of Aachen V.11
Godfrey of Bouillon, duke of Lower Lorraine, first Latin ruler of Jerusalem (Godfrey 51)
  • Helped Anonymus 26124 against Ridwan 4001, calling Baldwin 51 and (eventually) other crusaders; Ridwan disbanded army, some of which was severely defeated while ambushing crusaders; Anonymus 26124 swore fealty to Godfrey and others (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 3.5-4.54
  • He arranged (1) for Guynemer 4001 to be freed from imprisonment by Alexios 1 at Laodikeia, (2) Muhammad 26101 to be very well looked after in his absence from Antioch (:) Albert of Aachen V.24
  • When Ridwan 4001 attacked 'Azaz, Godfrey marched there, as did Baldwin 51 from Edessa; but Bohemond 61 and Raymond 61 refused to follow, jealous that Anonymus 26124 had sent to Godfrey; he brought them into line with an angry threat (:) Albert of Aachen V.10-11
  • His collection of four armies at 'Azaz (his own, those of Baldwin 51, Bohemond 61 and Raymond 61), forced Ridwan 4001 to leave; as he went, part of his army slaughtered some crusader laggards, and was itself punished by crusader forces (:) Albert of Aachen V.11-12
  • After the withdrawal of Ridwan 4001, he was publicly thanked his help by Anonymus 26124, and the two swore everlasting alliance; he gave his ally a beautiful helmet and hauberk belonging to Heribrand 26101; he then returned in peace to Antioch (:) Albert of Aachen V.12
  • He was asked by Anonymus 26126 on behalf of Anonymus 26124, to undertake the defence of 'Azaz; after initial mistrust, he was persuaded to accept by the arrival of Muhammad 26101 at Antioch as a hostage; his agreement was conveyed to 'Azaz by pigeon (:) Albert of Aachen V.8-9
  • Despite the care he arranged for Muhammad 26101 even in his own absence, the boy fell ill and died; he sent his body to Anonymus 26124 wrapped in purple, absolving himself from negligence; the bereaved father accepted this and maintained the alliance (:) Albert of Aachen V.32
Heribrand of Bouillon (Heribrand 26101)
  • The splendid helmet and hauberk he wore in battles was bestowed on the Turk Anonymus 26124, when Godfrey 51 made a treaty with him (:) galeam auro et argento mire insertam et loricam magne honestatis Albert of Aachen V.12
Muhammad, son of the Lord of 'Azaz (Muhammad 26101)
  • Despite his excellent treatment, he was seized by sickness and died; his body was wrapped in precious purple cloth and sent back to Anonymus 26124, according to gentile custom Albert of Aachen V.32
  • He was sent by his father Anonymus 26124 from 'Azaz to Antioch, as a guarantee of good faith in negotiations over an alliance (:) Albert of Aachen V.9
  • When Godfrey 51 went to Ravendel and Tell Bashir, he was left as hostage in the hands of the people of Antioch, who treated him very well (:) Albert of Aachen V.15, V.24
Raymond of Saint-Gilles, count of Toulouse (Raymond 61)
  • When Godfrey 51 marched to defend 'Azaz, Bohemond 61 and Raymond refused to follow, jealous because Anonymus 26124 had approached him, not them; Godfrey replied angrily that this would destroy crusader cohesion; they repented and set out (:) Albert of Aachen V.11
Fakhr al-Mulk Ridwan, ruler of Aleppo (Ridwan 4001)
  • Besieged 'Azaz, held by his subordinate Anonymus 26124, who gained extensive crusader support; was forced to raise siege and disband army, some of which laid an ambush for crusaders but was severely defeated (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 3.1-43
  • When the day for attacking 'Azaz came, his armies converged on the city and besieged it intensely; but five days later Godfrey 51 and Baldwin 51 appeared, followed by Bohemond 61 and Raymond 61; Ridwan realised he had to withdraw (:) Albert of Aachen V.10-11
  • His city and possessions were frequently plundered by Anonymus 26125 on behalf of Anonymus 26124, with whom Ridwan had an old enmity; he thus decided to gather all his vassals to come together on a fixed day to capture 'Azaz (:) Albert of Aachen V.6
  • As he left 'Azaz, part of his army made a large circuit round the crusaders and caught and killed a big Christian group lagging behind the main body, unnoticed by the leaders; those responsible were in turn attacked and mauled by the crusader army (:) Albert of Aachen V.11-12