Historia Hierosolymitana is a chronicle of theFirst Crusade written between c. 1107–1120 byRobert the Monk [fr] (Robertus Monachus), a French prior.[1][2]
Robert has been identified with a prior ofSenuc and former abbot ofSaint-Remi, who lived c. 1055 – 1122; hence he is also referred to asRobert of Reims orRobert of Saint-Remi (Robertus Remensis). Robert asserts in his prologue that he had been present at theCouncil of Clermont of 1095, which makes his account ofPope Urban II's speech that of an eye-witness, even though written from memory, twelve or more years later.[1] Outside this part, however, the author proposes not to write about his own observations but as a chronicler, having agreed to rewrite, at the request of his abbot, theGesta Francorum, an account written by a soldier ofBohemond I of Antioch, in a less "rustic" style.[citation needed] Robert introduced into the narrative of the First Crusade a Benedictine interpretation,[3] and one that included apocalyptic elements.[4]
Robert's chronicle contains an account ofPope Urban II's speech at theCouncil of Clermont of November 1095, the call to arms for theFirst Crusade. This speech is also recorded by another eye-witness,Fulcher of Chartres, and most historians tend to consider Fulcher's version as closer to the original speech, while Robert's version is seen as embellished and more "dramatic", and in parts informed by the later success of the First Crusade. Both Robert's and Fulcher's account of the speech include a description of the terrible plight of the Christians in the East under the recent conquests of the Turks and the promise of remission of sins for those who go to their aid. Robert's version, however, includes a more vivid description of the atrocities committed by the conquerors, describing thedesecration of churches, theforced circumcision,beheading and torture bydisemboweling of Christian men and alluding to grievousrape of Christian women.[5]
According to Robert, Urban addressed his call explicitly to the race of theFranks, of which he was himself a member, invoking the valour of their ancestors, "the glory and greatness of kingCharles the Great, and of his sonLouis", culminating in "Oh, most valiant soldiers and descendants of invincible ancestors, be not degenerate, but recall the valour of your progenitors."[6]
Robert's version also describes the spontaneous reaction of Urban's audience, bursting into cries ofDeus vult ("God wills it");[7] this motto and battle cry is also found in theGesta Francorum, there in the more "vulgar" or vernacular form ofDeus le volt. In a further element not found in Fulcher's account, and perhaps inspired after the fact by the failure of thePeople's Crusade, Urban warns that the expedition is not commanded or advised for the old or feeble, those unfit for bearing arms, or for women, but for experienced soldiers, that clergy should only take part with the consent of their bishop and laymen only with the blessing of their priest.[citation needed]
Robert's work was the likely source ofGilo of Paris'sHistoria vie Hierosolimitane.[8] Metullus ofTegernsee, a 12th-century monk and poet, made a verse adaptation of Robert's work in hisExpeditio Ierosolimitana.[9]
An edition was produced for theRecueil des historiens des croisades series, appearing in 1866.[10] A modern critical edition of the work was published in 2013.[11] An English translation appeared in theCrusade Texts in Translation series in 2005.[12]
