The city of Ma’arra had fallen to the Crusaders, and its citizens were helpless to resist the b****y wrath of the victorious. William and Gaston had successfully broken through the defenses to the north, but lost control of their men soon after due to the weakness of their authority and leadership. Their men rushed into the city and, ignoring the orders to spare the civilians, joined in the ruthless s*******r and looting that were already taking place. The pillaging of the city and butchering of innocent civilians was even greater than what had taken place at Antioch. The uncontrolled release of the soldiers’ repressed energy created an orgy of violence and murder that wreaked utter devastation within the city.
Rodrigo and Geoffrey had gone outside the city walls soon after William and Ga
