The Holy Lance

The crusaders divided almost immediately between those who believed Peter's claims and those who rejected them. He was questioned carefully by Adhemar and others, and while the bishop was skeptical, Peter was believed by Count Raymond, whose support proved decisive.

The alleged location was at a nearby church. Men went there and, directed by Peter Bartholomew, began digging in the floor of the church. They dug some distance down, but found nothing. Peter himself went down to dig and, not long after, he pulled out of the ground the head of a spear.

News that the Holy Lance had indeed been found raced through the city. Such a miracle surely portended victory, and plans were made on the spot to sally out to meet the Turks.

There were still skeptics, of course, but in the general enthusiasm, they remained silent. The Christians gathered their forces, set a day for the attack, and prepared. The Holy Lance was affixed to a pole. During the actual battle it was carried before the Christians as a sort of banner.

The day came, in early July, and the Christians attacked with a furious cavalry charge, the infantry managing as best it could. The Turks fought briefly, then abandoned the field. In truth, Kerbogha had been able to raise an army only by dangling the prospects of easy victory before the eyes of his emirs. Once it became obvious that there would be serious fighting, the Arab princes faded away and the Turkish princes followed.

To the Christians, of course, this was plain evidence of the miraculous power of the Holy Lance. It was time to move on the Jerusalem.

History of Western Civilization