She was born in AD 1075 in the great city of Constantinople to parents of noble status. This young girl’s name was Elisabeth Misera, which is a fitting surname for a girl who met such an unfortunate and untimely death. I, Megan Stansbery, found the personal diary of Elisabeth in the attic of my grandparents’ house. It is amazing that this diary has survived for so long, and has remained intact. The person who retrieved this journal from the ground in front of Jerusalem on that fateful day of July 15, 1099 was a distant ancestor of my family and added entries at the end of the journal describing where it was found and to whom it belonged . I consider this diary a treasure and feel it is my duty to share its wealth of information to the world. The following is the account of Elisabeth Misera…

April 15, 1097
I have not kept up with my journal entries as I should, but with all of these pilgrims entering Constantinople, there is hardly time to think! The great Alexius II Comnenus brought this on us though. He is the one who appealed to those Franks to aid us against the mighty Seljuks back in 1095 . Did he think the Franks would come here and act civilized?! They are Franks! I sat up late last night conversing with Alexius’ daughter, Anna, about these Franks. We both agree that they are very rude and boisterous, but we also agree that the one named Bohemond is, well, rather attractive. I wonder if he is married…

April 24, 1097
I was astonished tonight to find those Franks dancing of all things! It seems as though they were having festivities to welcome new pilgrims to the city. I suppose, being barbarians, they do not realize that dancing is prohibited and considered immoral. I do not understand the customs of the Franks. They seem to have no manners at all. Today a Frankish count was so bold as to sit upon Alexius’s throne! These Franks seem to be getting restless. I can tell they wish to go out and fight. The sooner, the better, I say.

May 7, 1097
A terrible thing has happened to me. I am in love! No, it is not with Bohemond, this is true love. I am almost embarrassed to talk about this, but why should I be embarrassed when I am the only one who reads this journal? He is the most charming, handsome man I have ever met. Unfortunately, our love must remain a secret, for he is a Frank. A Frank!! I still believe what I said before about Franks, but this one, my Albert, must have Roman ancestors! He is marvelous! I sneak out every night to meet him outside the city gates. He is camped outside the city along with the rest of his companions. It is a shame he cannot remain within the city, but I must admit I do enjoy the thrill of sneaking out each night.

May 28, 1097
Albert told me today that he is leaving tomorrow for Nicaea. I knew he would be leaving someday, but was not prepared for him to leave so soon. I have not told him this yet, but I plan on leaving with him. I cannot stay here in Constantinople, knowing that I may never see my beloved again. I am sure he will not mind having me along for support. I will have to disguise myself, though. Maybe I can gather some materials from the market and stitch together some garments that are not as rich-looking as my silks. I am excited and fearful at the same time about leaving. I am excited to see what the lands outside Constantinople look like, but am also fearful because I do not know the dangers that I will face.

May 29, 1097
We set out for Nicaea today. I am writing from the encampment now. Albert was concerned about me joining him on the pilgrimage, but was happy nonetheless. I have to be careful and keep a shawl close at hand in case I need to cover my face because there are many here who would recognize me. Raymond of St. Giles, Godfrey of Bouillon and his brother, Baldwin, Hugh of Vermandois, Bohemond of Taranto (who is still as dreamy as ever) and his nephew, Tancred would all know my face, and I am constantly looking out for all of them. I do not know what would happen to me if I was found here. I would be sent back to Constantinople without harm, that much is clear. I would not mention Albert’s name, because I would not want any harm to come to him, but I would have to come up with some story as to why I was out in Turkish territory! Oh, I will just not think of such things. I am happy to be with Albert and happy that we still have some days of traveling before reaching Nicaea.

July 13, 1097
I have not had time to write recently, on account of the recent battles. Nicaea fell to us on June 19th and Dorylaeum on July 1st. Albert fought bravely and was for the most part uninjured during the battles. I pray that we reach Jerusalem without anymore battles.

June 7, 1099
It has been almost two years since I last wrote. During the siege of Antioch, which occurred almost exactly a year ago to this day, my journal was lost and it was only just recovered today. It seems as though in my absent-mindedness I put my journal in the wrong bag, and the owner of the bag has been trying to track me down all this time. Well, I am glad to have my journal back, and the finder of it promised me that he did not read it. Even if he had read it, I doubt he would guess my true identity. I have been calling myself Bella (conceited, I know) and no one suspects that I am really Elisabeth Misera.

We are currently camped at Nebi Samwil, which is just within sight of Jerusalem. I am glad to be near Jerusalem finally, but we still have many obstacles in front of us. The local inhabitants have already poisoned the wells, destroyed the crops and burnt all of the trees nearby. I have faith that we will triumph over these people and win Jerusalem, though, because I know that God is with us and He will not let us lose.

June 7, 1099
Today the siege of Jerusalem began. I awoke early to the sounds of saws and hammers. This was the sound of many ladders being built, so that the walls of Jerusalem could be mounted. I dutifully helped Albert put on his heavy armor and kissed him farewell as he prepared for the battle. I watched from afar and tried to keep my eyes on Albert as he and the rest of the soldiers rushed towards Jerusalem. Unfortunately, it was apparent that there were not enough ladders to successfully scale the walls, so the attack was promptly called off. I was relieved to see Albert coming back to me, although I knew he would be heading back to battle as soon as a different strategy was arranged.

June 10, 1099
The craftsmen have been hard at work constructing huge machines. Some of these machines are meant to break through the great walls surrounding Jerusalem. I would not want to be on the other side of the wall with those great constructions something through towards me! Among the other machines were large towers, made from many small pieces of wood, since large pieces of wood are not to be found in this region. The purpose of these towers is to allow our soldiers to climb right onto the tops of the walls. I cannot see how the Saracens will be able to defend themselves against us now!

June 28, 1099
The great machines I spoke of before have aided us greatly in the battle, but they were not as great as to save the life of my beloved Albert. The treacherous Saracens took it upon themselves to throw firebrands dipped in oil and grease at the towers and the soldiers who were in them. My Albert was in one of those towers and caught a firebrand in his chest. He was carried back to the camp, but there was not anything anyone could do to save him. I am just thankful I was able to be with him to hear his last words.

I did not come all this way to have my Albert taken from me, and have decided to avenge his death. Tomorrow I will wear Albert’s armor into battle and fight for him. If I cannot be with Albert in this life, then I will meet him in the next life honorably. I will make him proud.

June 30, 1099
I found this diary while rummaging through the corpses looking for food and weapons. My name is Alexander Stansbery and I come from Constantinople, same as the unfortunate owner of this diary. I cannot express how surprised I was to find the body of a woman out here, dressed in armor. I recognize her to be Elisabeth Misera and from reading her entries in this diary, I will keep her secret. The Saracen bodies around her prove that she fought as valiantly as she intended. I am sure she and Albert are happy together now in the afterlife.

July 15, 1099
Today we succeeded in capturing Jerusalem. The city was flooded by Franks and Romans who sought after the remaining Saracens. Tired of fighting, I kept back and watched the mayhem. Most of the fleeing inhabitants went to take shelter in the temples, but they were easily found and slaughtered on sight . The city seemed to be covered in blood by the end of the day, which I suppose is how any newly conquered city looks. The remaining Saracens were ordered to carry out the dead bodies and burn them on pyres . The stench of the bodies was everywhere. I am interested to find out who has been chosen to rule this city of Jerusalem.

July 23, 1099
We found out today that Godfrey is to be King of Jerusalem and Arnulf is to be Patriarch. I am glad that the city is in good hands now, and am looking forward to going back to Constantinople. I will keep this journal with me forever, and pass it down to my eldest son, with the command to pass it to his eldest son. The words of Elisabeth Misera will remain as an heirloom in the Stansbery family forever.