Dissension in crusader siege of Askalon

Summary:
The battle of Askalon turned into an attack on the nearby city. Godfrey pressed the siege until negotiations began, and he would have captured Askalon, but for Raymond of Toulouse, who was still angry over the Tower of David. Raymond sent a letter to encourage the defenders, saying that most of the crusaders had left. The people of Askalon, who had a high opinion of Raymond's trustworthiness, broke off negotiations, and Godfrey found that Raymond had indeed persuaded most of the other leaders to leave. Godfrey gave up the siege and followed Raymond to Arsuf, whose citizens had also been informed by Raymond of Godfrey's weakness. Raymond then joined Robert of Flanders, Robert of Normandy and the others in their camp between Caesarea and Haifa, where he was followed by a furious Godfrey, who took up arms to attack Raymond. The latter also armed himself. The two Roberts and others intervened between them, and peace was restored 
Dates:
1099 late August 
Godfrey of Bouillon, duke of Lower Lorraine, first Latin ruler of Jerusalem (Godfrey 51)
  • He followed Raymond 61 to the camp of Robert 62 and Robert 63 between Caesarea and Haifa, furious at Raymond's encouragement of Askalon and Arsuf against him; he and Raymond took up arms, but Robert 62 and others made peace (:) Albert of Aachen VI.52
  • He pressed the siege of Askalon: negotiations began, and he would have captured the city, but for Raymond 61, still angry over the Tower of David, who sent a letter to encourage the defenders, saying that most of the crusaders had left (:) Albert of Aachen VI.51
  • The people of Askalon resumed defence, and he found that Raymond 61 had persuaded most of the other leaders to leave; he gave up the siege and followed Raymond to Arsuf, whose citizens had also been told of Godfrey's weakness (:) Albert of Aachen VI.52
  • He had captured Askalon, but because of the arrogance of Raymond 61, who used his high reputation at Askalon to further his private quarrel against Godfrey, the city escaped Christian rule and would be a thorn in the side of the Christians for many years (:) Ralph of Caen 138
Raymond of Saint-Gilles, count of Toulouse (Raymond 61)
  • Having roused Askalon and Arsuf against Godfrey 51, he joined Robert 62, Robert 63 and others in their camp between Caesarea and Haifa, as did Godfrey, who was armed to attack him; Raymond too took up arms, but Robert 62 and others made peace (:) Albert of Aachen VI.52
  • Still angry over the Tower of David, he prevented Godfrey 51 from capturing Askalon, when negotiations for surrender had already begun; he sent a letter to encourage the defenders, saying that most of the crusaders had left (:) Albert of Aachen VI.51
  • He encouraged other leaders to leave Godfrey at the siege of Askalon, taking his own army to Arsuf, which he attacked for a day until Godfrey approached, having failed at Askalon; Raymond left, telling the people of Arsuf too not to fear Godfrey (:) Albert of Aachen VI.51
  • Because he allowed Turks from the Tower of David to go free and kept his word, he had a high reputation at Askalon; because he was still angry with Godfrey 51 over the loss of the Tower, he used that reputation against crusader interests, keeping Askalon free to torment the Christians for many years (:) Ralph of Caen 138
Robert II, count of Flanders (Robert 62)
  • He was camped between Caesarea and Haifa, with Robert 63 and others, and was joined by Raymond 61 from Askalon and Arsuf, followed by Godfrey 51, armed to attack Raymond, who also took up arms; Robert and others intervened between them (:) Albert of Aachen VI.52
Robert [Curthose], count [duke] of Normandy (Robert 63)
  • He was camped between Caesarea and Haifa, with Robert 62 and others, and was joined by Raymond 61 from Askalon and Arsuf, followed by Godfrey 51, armed to attack Raymond, who also took up arms; Robert 62 and others intervened between them (:) Albert of Aachen VI.52