Beginning of siege of Arqah

Summary:
From the valley of the Camels they went on to attack Arqah, with Raymond of Toulouse, Robert of Normandy and Tancred playing the major roles. The besiegers' mangonels were matched by those of the defenders, while those undermining the walls also met strong resistance. The famous Anselm of Ribemont saw a vision of his own death, explained it to Arnulf of Choques and was advised how ro react. Soon after he was attacking strongly when he was struck by a piece of rock, which broke open his skull. The mourning of the leaders was intense 
Dates:
1099 February 14 
Anselm of Ribemont (Anselm 4001)
  • While he was putting intense pressure on the defenders of Arqah, he was hit by a piece of rock, which broke his skull; the leaders of the crusaders were deeply grieved by his death Albert of Aachen V.31
  • He was killed by a stone missile while taking part in the siege of Arqah (:) Fulcher of Chartres 1.25.8
  • Outside Arqah, he saw an elaborate vision of his own death, and narrated it to Arnulf 4001, who reassured him , but suggested he make his peace with his fellow men, confess and take communion; as soon as he had done so, he returned to the walls but was crushed by a stone dropped from a tower (:) Ralph of Caen 106
Arnulf of Choques, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem (Arnulf 4001)
  • He was told of a prophetic dream seen by Anselm 4001 about his own death; he reassured him, but told him to make his peace with his fellow men, make confession and take communion; as soon as Anselm had done this, he was crushed by a stone (:) Ralph of Caen 106
Eustace III, count of Boulogne (Eustace 4001)
  • 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
Raymond of Saint-Gilles, count of Toulouse (Raymond 61)
  • 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
  • While Bohemond returned to Antioch, Raymond with Tancred 61, followed by Robert 63, went on to Arqah, which they besieged for around five weeks with no success (:) Fulcher of Chartres 1.25.4-6
  • He had a major role in the crusaders' attack on Artah (symbolised by possession of one of the three catapults); the effort involved in the siege was similar to that needed for Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, but the results were much less (:) Ralph of Caen 105
Raymond Pilet (Raymond 4002)
  • During siege of Arqah attacked and captured Tortosa (formally called Antarados) (: ) William of Tyre bk. 7, 15.1-34
Robert [Curthose], count [duke] of Normandy (Robert 63)
  • 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
  • While Bohemond returned to Antioch, he followed Raymond 61 with Tancred 61, and went on to Arqah, which they besieged for around five weeks with no success (:) Fulcher of Chartres 1.25.4-6
  • He had a major role in the crusaders' attack on Artah (symbolised by possession of one of the three catapults); the effort involved in the siege was similar to that needed for Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, but the results were much less (:) Ralph of Caen 105
Tancred of Hauteville, nephew of Bohemond of Taranto (Tancred 61)
  • 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 Anslem 4001), while those undermining the walls also met resistance (:) Albert of Aachen V.31
  • While Bohemond returned to Antioch, he joined Raymond 61, followed by Robert 63, and went on to Arqah, which they besieged for around five weeks with no success (:) Fulcher of Chartres 1.25.4-6
  • He had a major role in the crusaders' attack on Artah (symbolised by possession of one of the three catapults); the effort involved in the siege was similar to that needed for Ma'arrat al-Nu'man, but the results were much less (:) Ralph of Caen 105