The Dream and the Tomb (31 page)

Bertrandon de la Brocquiere offers a translation of the Koran and the history of Mohammed to Philip the Good as he leaves the abbey of Pothieres during the siege of Mussy-l'Eveque (1433).
(Bibliotheque Nationale, Ms. Fr. 9087, f. 152vo)

Battle scenes.
(Top left)
A party led by Robert, Count of Flanders, attacks during the First Crusade.
(Bottom left)
Combat at Thessalonica.
(Top right)
Crusaders routing enemies.
(Bottom right)
The Siege of Antioch, October 21, 1097, to June 3, 1098, ended when Bohemond's men climbed a ladder, captured three towers, killed many Turks, and opened a gate to their fellow Crusaders.
(New York Public Library)

(from a 15th century ms., School of Bourguignone, New York Public Library Picture Collection)

The Siege of Ascalon
(Bibliotheque National, Ms. Fr. 5594)

Crusaders battle with Saladin's forces.
(Bibliotheque Nationale, Ms. Fr. 5594, f. 197)

Massacre of the Witnesses
(from an apocalypse, 13th century, British Library Board, Ms. Add. 42555, f. 30v)

Christ leading the crusaders.
(from an apocalyse, early 14th century, British Library Board, Ms. Roy. 19/B xv, f. 37)

Crusaders besieging a walled town.
(from
Chroniques de France,
late 14th century, The British Library Board, Ms. Roy. 20, c. vii, f. 100v)

Crusader heavy infantry with archer support wait to assault a city when guns breach the walls.
(British Library Board)

The Turks attack the army of Louis VII on a mountain in Anatolia. The advance guard, commanded by Geoffroy de Rancon, goes back down the mountain and sets up its camp.
(Bibliotheque Nationale, Ms. Fr. 55 94, f. 143vo)

Crusaders sally from a walled city to engage Muslims. “The very noble and excellent history of the holy chronicles of foreign lands and noble chevaliers, written and commentated on by the brave, valiant, and holy man Godefroy de Bouillon.” (14th century)
(Bibliotheque Nationale, Ms. Fr. 3 52, f. 49)