By his indefatigable zeal and tireless efforts ... he was a man who loved God and was beloved by Him, distinguished in faith, outstanding in energy, accepted by the people through the claims of his achievements and successful in all he did
operoso studio et sollicitudine non pigra ... erat quippe vir deum amans deoque amabilis, fide insignis, strenuitate conspicuus, exigentibus meritis populo acceptus et in cunctis prospere agens. William of Tyre bk. 10, 22(23).8-32
So famous and warlike a man, and most brave subduer of Turks everywhere
tam famosi ac bellicosi uiri, Turcorumque undique fortissimi expugnatoris. Albert of Aachen XII.9
He was son of the Marquess (Eudo) [made into a name by Anna Komnene]
τοῦ Μαρκέση. Anna Komnene 356.18
the strongest fighter of his generation, among those greatly admired for his experience in generalship, and a besieger of cities from whom very few escaped
ῥωμαλεώτατος τῶν κατ᾽ αὐτὸν ἐγεγόνει, καὶ εἰς στρατηγικὴν ἐμπειρίαν τῶν σφόδρα θαυμαζομένων, πολιορκῆσαι δὲ πόλεις ἀφυκτότατος στρατηγός. Anna Komnene 363.41-43
Son of the Marquess William
Willelmi marchionis filius. William of Tyre bk. 2, 13.10
Was kept by Godfrey 51 after departure of other crusaders as a wise, energetic and successful man to share the responsibility
vir prudens, strenuus et felix. William of Tyre bk. 9, 19.3-5
He was of an independent spirit
ἐλευθέρας ὢν γνώμης. Anna Komnene 329.55
An energetic man, praiseworthy in all respects
vir strenuus et per omnia commendabilis. William of Tyre bk. 8, 18.35-36
He was a man of very swift action
vir erat expeditissimus. William of Tyre bk. 2, 14.29-30
Of illustrious memory and pious remembrance in Christ
inclite recordationis et pie in Christo memorie. William of Tyre bk. 10, 9.10-11
He seemed unremitting in resistance to the Christians' foes
aduersariis Christianorum indeficiens ad resistendum uidebatur. Albert of Aachen VII.16
A distinguished and diligent man ... both energetically and successfully ...
vir insignis et industrius ... tam strenue quam feliciter. William of Tyre bk. 5, 8.18-27
A praiseworthy man in all respects
vir per omnia commendabilis. William of Tyre bk. 2, 15.29
He had an underlying tension between the religious and the military view of the world, resolved by the Crusade and its indulgences
Ralph of Caen 1
He wished to say nothing of himself, but desired to be talked about; he preferred wakefulness to sleep, labour to leisure, hunger to satiety, effort to relaxation, in fact what was necessary to everything superfluous; the glory of praise motivated him ... bringing frequent suffering, making him spare neither his own blood, nor his enemy's
De se ipse nihil dicere, at dici insatiabiliter sitiebat: proinde somnos vigiliis, quietem labori, satietatem fami, otium studio, postremo superflua omnia necessariis postponebat. Sola erat laudis gloria, quae juvenis mentem agitaret, ... facilem crebri vulneris ducebat jacturam: eoque nec suo parcebat sanguini, nec hostili. Ralph of Caen 1
He relaxed into the position of leader, attracting young men and inspiring them by his example; he used his wealth to ensure that none of his men were in want, but also borrowed from richer colleagues when necessary, balancing such accounts well
Ralph of Caen 7
He and his brothers William 4007 and Robert 108 were reported to be as fierce as Phoenician lions