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Itinerary
54
a galleon, together with their crews; and our men, unhurt and joyful, gain a
glorious triumph. Having drawn the captured galley on shore, they gave it
up to be plundered by both sexes who came to meet them. On this our
women, dragging the Turks by the hair, after treating them shamefully and
cutting their throats in a disgraceful manner, beheaded them. And the
weaker the hand to strike, so much the more lengthened was the
punishment inflicted; for they used knives, and not swords, for cutting off
their heads. A like sea-fight was never seen, so destructive in its issue,
accomplished with so much danger, and completed with so much cost.
Chapter XXXV. Ñ Meanwhile the Turks from without, eager to fill our breach
with earth, fiercely attack our men who were within.
In the mean time the Turkish army from without, though deeply
bewailing our victory, persisted in making attacks upon our men who were
within the trench, endeavouring either to fill up the completed portion by
casting back the earth, or to slay those who resisted. Our men, sustaining
their attack, though with difficulty, fight under great disadvantages, for
they seemed unequal to contend against so countless a multitude, Ñ for
the numbers of the assailants continually increased, and we had to take
precautions on the side of the city lest they also should rush in and assault
us. There was amongst the assailants a fiendish race, very impetuous and
obstinate; deformed in nature as they were unlike to the others in character,
of a darker appearance, of vast stature, of exceeding ferocity, having on
their heads red coverings instead of helmets, carrying in their hands clubs
bristling with iron teeth, which neither helmet nor coat of mail could
withstand; and they had a carved image of Mahomet for a standard. So
great was the multitude of this evil race, that as fast as one party was
thrown to the earth, another rushed forward over them. Thus, by their
constant attacks, they confounded our men so much, that we doubted
which way to turn ourselves; for as there was neither security nor rest, we
were distressed on all sides, at one time guarding ourselves from sallies of
the besieged from the city, at another from the incessant attacks of the
enemy from without; and again from the side of the sea where their galleys

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Itinerary
55
were lying in wait to convey the Turks into the city as they arrived, or to
intercept the succours which were coming to us the Christians. At length,
by favour of the Divine mercy, our adversaries were driven back and
repulsed.
Chapter XXXVI. Ñ How our men were on the point of assaulting the city with
three wooden towers; the townsmen offer to surrender, while we are attacked by the
enemy below, our machines are set on fire.
Our chiefs contribute mutually to the making of machines for
storming the city, and construct three moveable towers of dry wood, of
which the making of the first fell to the lot of the Landgrave, the second to
the Genoese, and the third to the rest of the army. The huge machines
raised with zealous emulation, and being carried up by stories, were urged
forwards on wheels, which, assisted by mechanical contrivances, moved
easily. To prevent their catching fire, the workmen covered them with
tarpaulins and raw hides; and that the blow of the petrari¾ might not injure
them, which it does if caught by a softer substance, they suspend twisted
ropes in front. And the upper parts of the towers, which were much higher
than the walls and bulwarks of the city contained slingers and darters,
while the middle story was occupied by men armed with stakes and poles.
Each camp had its petrari¾, which stood on the side and afforded
protection to the towers as they were drawn along, as well is serving to
throw down the opposite walls. The townsmen now entirely despairing,
offered to surrender the city if they might be allowed to depart and take
away their property with them. Our people refused, and hastened with all
their might to bring the machines they had made against the walls, upon
which the townsmen resisted, and in turn revenge themselves on their
besiegers and assaulters; for, on the Saturday after Ascension-day, when
the machines had been brought nearer the walls, after we had assaulted the
city from morn till even, behold! the army of the Turks from without came
rushing in troops with immense violence upon the trench, to attack from
the rear those who were assaulting the city, that they might draw them off
if not entirely disperse them. Thus, while our men, held in check on both

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