In the following months, Raymond made two serious blunders that would undermine his leadership and damage his reputation.
In February 1099, Raymond laid siege to the small Lebanese fort of Arqa while attempting to force the Muslims in neighboring Tripoli to submit to his authority. However, unlike Marat, Arqa was heavily fortified and well garrisoned, making the siege difficult and treacherous. Because Raymond was determined to conquer and claim Arqa, the siege dragged on for two months, causing frustration and restlessness in the crusader army.
The biggest mistake Raymond made was his decision to befriend Peter. As the weeks wore on, Peter became increasingly unstable in his behavior and his visions, more volatile; so extreme that they caused outrage in the army. Scholars Stephen Runciman and Thomas Asbridge differ over the breaking point. According to Runciman, “Peter announced on 5 April, St. Peter and St. Andrew had all appeared to him to announce that an immediate assault on Arqa must be made.” (A History of the Crusades: The First Crusade, volume 1, p. 273)
Asbridge, on the other hand, asserted that Peter had a vision in which Christ had instructed him to “oversee the immediate execution of thousands of ‘sinful’ crusaders.” (The Crusades: The Authoritative History of The War For The Holy Land, p. 86)
Regardless of what outrageous vision Peter reportedly had, many crusaders were fed up of them. They began to believe that Peter’s visions were used as a tool to enhance Raymond’s ambitions. Many crusaders were even mortified by the nature of his visions, especially those who never believed in the authenticity of the Holy Lance. Their distrust, annoyance and anger were amplified by their eagerness to resume the march to Jerusalem.
A division of the northern French, led by Arnulf of Rohes – Robert of Normandy’s chaplain – heatedly expressed his disbelief in the Holy Lance. Not everyone had rejected it though. The Provencal and the Toulousians ardently defended it, insisting that the lance was the lance that had pierced Jesus’ side while He hung on the cross. Several priests, including the chronicler, Raymond of Aguilers, claimed they had been visited by the Bishop Adhemar. In their visions, Adhemar repented of his disbelief in the Holy Lance.
The debate rapidly intensified until Peter demanded to defend himself and his vision through trial by fire. He fasted for four days, then, on Good Friday, 8 April, a few bishops – on Peter’s instructions – piled olive branches to the height of about four feet, and in two columns that lay parallel to each other, separated only by one foot. The two columns were then set on fire. Clad only in a tunic and, clutching onto the Holy Lance, Peter walked into the inferno only to emerge horrifically burnt.
Most of the crusaders viewed Peter’s injuries as a sign that he was grievously wounded spiritually. His most ardent supporters though, claimed that Peter emerged from the flames unscathed, but had been pushed back into the fire by an angry mob, a story that was undoubtedly false.
After spending twelve days in excruciating agony, Peter passed away. The Holy Lance was discredited and Raymond’s reputation, ruined. Following Peter’s death, Raymond abandoned his siege of Arqa, swallowed his pride and shared his power with the other princes, and continued the march south. He had no other choice.
Meanwhile, Bohemond stayed in Antioch, determined to maintain control over the city, a move that would severely damage Byzantine-Latin relations.
Sources Used:
Asbridge, Thomas. The Crusades: The Authoritative History of The War For The Holy Land. Ecco; New York, 2011.
Runciman, Steven. A History of the Crusades: The First Crusade. Vol.1. Cambridge; Cambridge University Press, 1951.
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