The battle began in great disorder; the chiefs in person sustained the first shock; and the duke of Normandy, Robert Shorthose, took in his hand his white banner, embroidered with gold, and waving it over his head, threw himself upon the Turks, shouting, "God willeth it! God willeth it!" Bohemond obstinately sought out Kilidge-Arslan in the fray; but at the same time he sent messengers in all haste to Godfrey de Bouillon, as yet but a little way off, to summon him to their aid.

Godfrey galloped up, and, with some fifty of his knights, preceding the rest of his army, was the first to throw himself into the midst of the Turks.

Towards mid-day the whole of the first body arrived, with standards flying, with the sound of trumpets and with the shouting of warriors.

Kilidge-Arslan and his troops fell back upon the heights whence they had descended.

The crusaders, without taking breath, ascended in pursuit.