Armida
The episode of Armida, in Tasso, is founded on a popular tradition related by Pierre Delancre. This skilful enchantress was the daughter of Arbilan, King of Damascus. She was brought up by an uncle, a great magician, who taught his niece to become a powerful sorceress. Nature had so well endowed her that for personal attractions she far surpassed the most beautiful women of the East. Her uncle sent her as a worthy foe against the powerful Christian army that Pope Urban XI. had collected under the leadership of Godfrey de Bouillon. And there, says Delancre, she made such havoc with her beautiful eyes, and so charmed the principal leaders of the crusaders, that she almost ruined the hopes of the Christians. She kept the valiant knight Renaud for a long time in an enchanted castle, and it was not without great difficulty that he was disenchanted.