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Book 1

• The poet's story is about the freeing of Jerusalem by Christians and begins his story by saying God sent the Angel Gabriel to the most holy, a man named Godfrey, to tell him the time has come for him to gather the Christian lords of Europe and free Jerusalem.

• Godfrey sends messengers to his allies, who gather and agree to join him.

• After the poem describes the election of Godfrey as the army's leader, the army of each ally is described at detailed length, with particular attention being paid to Tancredi and Rinaldo.

• The combined armies raise Christian flags, then Godfrey makes a speech of inspiration, and the following day at sunrise the Crusaders depart.

• Meanwhile, the Muslim ruler of Jerusalem, Aladine hears of the Crusaders' coming and considers slaughtering all the Christians currently living in the city.

• Cowardice prevents him from doing so out of fear...

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