Book 1 Summary

This epic poem tells the story of a Christian attempt to free the holy city of Jerusalem from Muslim control. The individual stories of several heroes from both sides are interwoven with the main plot, all developing the theme of Christian moral, military, and spiritual superiority.

The poet introduces his story, the freeing of Jerusalem by Christians. He invokes the help of the poetic muses, and briefly relates the history of Christian crusades against the "tyrants" (interpreted to be Muslims). He then begins his story by saying God looked down at several Christian heroes and sent the Angel Gabriel to the most holy, a man named Godfrey. Gabriel tells 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...