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Guglielmo Embriaco does not have the more impressive ruling names-- William the Drunkard He was born in Genoa (c1038). At the time, much of the Europeam trade with the East (India abd China) went thriugh Italy, making the port cities very rich. Guglielmo was an important merchant and military figure. He first comes to the attention of historians when he and his brother came to the assistance of the Crusaders attemoting to seize Jerusalem.during the First Crusade. Without his aid Godfrey may not have taken Jerusalem. Embriaco who survived the Crusades is one of the most important figures founding what would become the Republic of Genoa. Guglielmo and his brother Primo di Castello ammassed the funds for a expedituonm, arrivig in Jaffa at acrucial moment (June 1099). They had ammassed a squadron of galleys, although historians fiffer on the number. They initially marched south towards Ascalon, but an Egyptian army moving on Godfrey who had Jerusalem under seige convinced them to change plans. They dismantled their ships and built siege towers which helped to finally take th city (July 15). It was there that Guglielmo acquired a more positive sobriquet Caputmallei/Testadimaglio -- 'mallet head'. He worked wth Balwin and returned for asecind campaign with a larger force (1109). This was not seen as the secind succeed hand is geberally just considered to be a part of the First Crusade. Guglielmo returned from the Holy Lands and entered Genoa in triumph (October 1101). He was electd Consul (February 1102) After that he disappears frpm the historical record. .
