June 13, 1099

Siege of Jerusalem (1099)

The crusaders' first general assault on Jerusalem fails for lack of ladders

They tried to storm a major walled city with so few ladders that a contemporary believed more ladders alone might have changed the result.

Monday, 13 June 1099

Six days after reaching Jerusalem, on Monday 13 June 1099, the crusaders attacked the walls. The contemporary Gesta Francorum says they would have taken the city had sufficient ladders been ready.

Fulcher of Chartres describes an assault launched early in the morning from all sides, accompanied by trumpets, which continued until the sixth hour — roughly noon — before the attackers abandoned it.

Not one commander's attack

This was not Godfrey's assault alone. Fulcher says the city was attacked from every side, and Raymond of Toulouse's contingent was operating separately from Mount Zion.

The sources disagree over individual exploits and even the number of ladders: later narratives attach Raimbald and Tancred to a single ladder, while Fulcher says only that there were too few.

After noon, a different plan

The assault achieved no entry. The leaders then ordered artisans to construct siege machines rather than attempt another improvised escalade.

Water was already the pressure: the army's horses were reportedly led six miles to drink, while the defenders drew on cisterns inside the walls.

No siege towers existed on 13 June; those belong to the final assault in July.

Sources

Researched 23 Aug 2026 5 sources 2 audit passes

How this was checked

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What the sources leave uncertain

The date is explicitly identified as the second Monday of June—13 June 1099—in the Gesta Francorum commentary.
Sources disagree over individual exploits and the exact number of ladders. Later narratives associate Raimbald/Rainbold and Tancred with a single ladder, whereas Fulcher simply says the ladders were too few.
Jewish participation in the defense is supported in general, but the listed title over-specifies their organization and precise position during this particular assault.