In fact, jerusalem was taken from the north on the
morning of july 15, 1099. the population was put to the
sword by the franks, who pillaged the area for a week. a
band of muslims barricaded themselves into the oratory
of savid [tower of david) and fought on for several days.
they were granted their lives in return for surrendering.
the franks honored their word, and the group left by
night for ascalon (a city on the coast). in the masjid al-
aqsa [the temple of solomon) the franks slaughtered
more than 70,000 people, among them a large number of
imams and muslim scholars, devout and ascetic men who
had left their homelands to live lives of pious seclusion in
the holy place.
background information: this account of the fall of
jerusalem in 1099 was written in 1231 by a muslim
historian who traveled with saladin's army.
the author of this account is a
as a result, his account is likely to be
towards the muslims who lost
their lives.
his account is likely
because he was not a witness to the event.