At that time Duke Godfrey arose, may his bones be ground to dust. A spirit of error led him to join those traveling to their place of worship, and he wickedly swore that he wouldn’t set out on his journey until he had avenged the blood of the crucified one with the blood of Israel. He vowed to leave neither remnant nor survivor of anyone who bore the name Jew, and his anger against us was full.

Rabbi Kalonymus, the leader of the community of Mainz, had anticipated this danger. He was a repairer of breaches, an exemplar of his generation, a God-fearing man bound upon the inner altar. He sent a messenger to King Henry in the kingdom of Apulia, where the king had remained for nine years, and reported everything that had happened.

The king became angry and sent letters throughout every province of his kingdom to the princes, bishops, governors and Duke Godfrey. His letters contained words of peace and ordered that the Jews be protected, that no one touch them or harm their bodies, and that the authorities provide them with help and refuge. The wicked duke then swore that it had never entered his mind to do them any harm.

Even so, the Jews of Cologne gave him a bribe of five hundred marks of silver, and the Jews of Mainz likewise bribed him. He assured them of his support and promised them peace. Yet the Maker of peace turned away from them, hid His eyes from His people and delivered them into the power of the sword. No prophet or seer, no wise or understanding person, could fathom why the holy communities suffered such destruction, as though they themselves had shed blood. Surely He is a righteous judge, and the blame is ours.