Raymond of Toulouse set out from Ma'arrat al-Nu'man for Jerusalem

Summary:
Raymond of Toulouse went on an expedition which solved the problems of starvation, but returned to find the walls of Ma'arrat al-Nu'man destroyed. He then, with Eustace of Boulogne, Robert of Normandy and Tancred, set out southwards. They went on down a valley they called "Joy" (Gaudium, the Orontes valley), where they found plenty of food, captured two Turkish mountain fortresses, then the town of Tortosa, which they gave to Raymond. From the valley of "Joy" they went on to that of "Camels", where they found more food, and moved to attack the castle of Arqah. Bohemond had retuned to Antioch [Anna Komnene seems to confuse the two captures of Tortosa, in 1099 and 1102] 
Dates:
1099 January 13 
Bohemond of Taranto (Bohemond 61)
  • From Ma'arrat al-Nu'man he returned to Antioch, while the remainder of the army went on to Arqah and Jerusalem (:) Ralph of Caen 105
Eustace III, count of Boulogne (Eustace 4001)
  • Those who took and destroyed Ma'arrat al-Nu'man went on down a valley they called "Joy" (Gaudium, the Orontes valley), where they found plenty of food, captured two Turkish mountain fortresses, then the town of Tortosa, which they gave to Raymond 61 (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • From the valley of "Joy" they went on to that of "Camels", where they found more food, and moved to attack the castle of Arqah; both sides hurled stones from mangonels, killing Anselm 4001, while those undermining the walls also met resistance (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
Peter of Narbonne, bishop of Albara, archbishop of Apamea (Petros 4005)
  • Accepted request of Raymond 61 to march south with him, putting his affairs in hands of William 4010, who was immediately successful in increasing his lord's property (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 12.28-35
Raymond of Saint-Gilles, count of Toulouse (Raymond 61)
  • Marched south from Ma'arrat al-Nu'man via Shayzar, Hama and Emesa (Camela), buying food and receiving gifts; crossed to shore route for better communications; punished brigands and one city that tried to fight; camped outside Arqah (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 12.42-13.39
  • From the valley of "Joy" they went on to that of "Camels", where they found more food, and moved to attack the castle of Arqah; both sides hurled stones from mangonels (killing Anselm 4001), while those undermining the walls also met resistance (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • Those who took and destroyed Ma'arrat al-Nu'man went on down a valley they called "Joy" (Gaudium, the Orontes valley), where they found plenty of food, captured two Turkish mountain fortresses, then the town of Tortosa, which they handed to Raymond (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • Before 15 January he led a raid into enemy territory and returned with enough animals and other food to break the famine; asked Petros 4005 to accompany him; on appointed day he set out with Robert 63 and Tancred 61 (15 January:diem ... quintum decimum) William of Tyre bk. 7, 12.1-41
  • Finding Ma'arrat al-Nu'man defenceless, he concealed his distress and considered the demands of the crusaders, who were starving to the point of cannibalism and suffering from disease; he appointed 15 January as date for departure (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 11.32-12.10
  • After the requested towns were handed over to Byzantine agents, he went on to capture Tortosa (Antaras) without bloodshed; this angered Tughtigin 4001, who prepared a very strong force to recover it [confusion: the capture of Tortosa in 1102 is largely narrated in place of the capture of 1099] (:) Anna Komnene 344.89-92
Robert [Curthose], count [duke] of Normandy (Robert 63)
  • Those who took and destroyed Ma'arrat al-Nu'man went on down a valley they called "Joy" (Gaudium, the Orontes valley), where they found plenty of food, captured two Turkish mountain fortresses, then the town of Tortosa, which they gave to Raymond 61 (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • From the valley of "Joy" they went on to that of "Camels", where they found more food, and moved to attack the castle of Arqah; both sides hurled stones from mangonels (killing Anselm 4001), while those undermining the walls also met resistance (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • Joined Raymond 61 on first march south from area of Antioch, becoming his loyal companion (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 12.38-43
Tancred of Hauteville, nephew of Bohemond of Taranto (Tancred 61)
  • Those who took and destroyed Ma'arrat al-Nu'man went on down a valley they called "Joy" (Gaudium, the Orontes valley), where they found plenty of food, captured two Turkish mountain fortresses, then the town of Tortosa, which they gave to Raymond 61 (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • Joined Raymond 61 on first march south from area of Antioch, becoming his loyal companion (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 12.38-43
William Peyre, lord of Cunhlat (William 4010)
  • When Petros 4005 went south with Raymond 61, he was put in charge of his affairs with 7 knights and 30 footsoldiers, numbers which his energy soon increased to 40 and 80 respectively (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 12.28-35