In “The Capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders”, author Raymond of St. Giles, Count of

Toulouse clearly believed that it was Gods will which led them to capture Jerusalem. In “The

Conquest of Jerusalem”, author Ibn Al-Athir stated discord between the Muslim princes led to

the capture of Jerusalem by the Franks.

From the beginning of the article, Raymond makes clear that it is God who led the

crusaders to victory, stating “God has manifested his mercy in fulfilling by our hands what he

had promised in ancient times” (Raymond, 378). He gives the example of the princes and kings

of the Saracens who, despite rising up against them, were “by gods will” conquered and

overcome (Raymond, 378). After this victory, God humbled the men by sending them into a nine

month siege with Antioch where resources were scarce until “God opened to us the abundance of

His blessing and mercy and led us into the city, and delivered the Turks and all of their

possessions into our power” (Raymond, 378). Clearly, Raymond believed that God was on their

side, and although he would test their faith, would always reward them with victory. However,

he did state that in the moment he and his men did not at first give God the credit he deserved. It

was not until the men were at their weakest and sickest that they became fully aware of the

divine hand that was leading and protecting them. Having to resort to cannibalism due to famine,

it was “by divine admonition” that they entered Hispania and were met with gifts and aid and the

surrender of its peoples (Raymond, 379). He also attributed the growth of his army to God, as

when men from other cities heard that “the hand of the Lord” was with them, they joined their

army. Jerusalem and their enemies were then “delivered” to them by God and when the army of

Babylonians came to lead the Franks into