Roger de Barneval and the First Crusade
In the mid 1000s the Muslim Seldjuk Turks had gained power and territory in the Middle East. Byzantine Emperor Alexius sent a delegation to Pope Urban II asking for him to call a crusade to help and to free the city of Jerusalem.
Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont on November 27, 1095 called for a "Holy War".
This declaration created a great response among the youth of Western Europe. Two brothers, Hugh and Roger de Barneval, were among the first to join and wear the "sacred cross". No record beyond this is made of Hugh.
They joined the Crusade of Robert II, Duke of Normandy, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, and set off for Rome in September 1096 with a large well resourced army with large contingents of Knights from Normandy, Bretagne, and England. They spent the winter in Puglia and arrived in Constantinople in the spring of 1097. They spent two weeks in Constantinople and paid homage to Emperor Alexius.
The first target for this expedition was Nicaea, the capital of Roum (Turkey). The monks reported that Roger de Barneville, Duke Robert, Ralph de Guader, and Conan, Earl of Brittany, took their station, with the Counts of Vermandois, Chartres, Flanders, and Toulouse.
Nicaea fell to the crusaders on June 20. 1097 with Roger celebrated for his bravery and exploits by the accompanying monks who recorded all events.
The crusade then marched on and conquered Antioch with de Barneville again celebrated for his bravery. They had occupied Antioch for only two days when they were attacked by a force from the Sultan of Persia.
As this army approached the walls of Antioch, de Barneville leading a force of 15 knights rode out to the attack. At first the Turks scattered, but the force soon found themselves surrounded. They almost made it back to the City and were in sight of the walls when a Turkish arrow killed him.
The Muslims beheaded him and rode around in triumph with the head on the end of a spear. His compatriots later revenged him with the heads of six Saracens mounted on spears and recovered his body.
He was magnificently interred in the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle in a ceremony attended by all the Christian Princes.
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