Deus vult
“God wills it.”
Robert the Monk, Historia Hierosolymitana
What does “Deus vult” mean?
Deus vult translates as “God wills it.”
A statement of religious certainty that a cause is willed by God.
“Deus vult” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Deus | God | nominative singular masculine of deus, “god”; the subject of the sentence |
| vult | wills, wants | 3rd person singular present indicative active of volo, “I wish, I want” (an irregular verb) |
How to pronounce “Deus vult”
The only difference is the v: a w sound in Classical Latin, a v sound in Church Latin. Stress the first syllable of Deus, which is pronounced as two syllables.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “God wills”, and the English “God wills it” supplies the object. The verb vult is a form of volo, the same verb behind English words such as “volition” and “voluntary”.
The best-known source is the chronicler Robert the Monk, who wrote a history of the First Crusade. He says the crowd shouted these words after Pope Urban II called for a crusade at the Council of Clermont in 1095. Other accounts of the speech, such as those of Fulcher of Chartres and Baldric of Dol, are worded differently, and chroniclers wrote down what Urban said years later.
The phrase became linked with the crusaders as a rallying cry. It is also often seen in its Old French form, Dieu le veut. Today it appears in medieval re-enactment, in historical writing about the Crusades and in internet culture, where it is sometimes used as a meme.
How to use “Deus vult”
It suits a medieval or historical theme, a caption for a castle or cathedral photo, or an essay on the First Crusade. Because the phrase is tied to the Crusades and is sometimes used by modern groups, think about how others will read it before using it as a tattoo or public motto.
- Latin
- Deus vult
- English
- God wills it.
- Source
- Robert the Monk, Historia Hierosolymitana
- Era
- Medieval
- Theme
- Faith
Common mistakes
- It is not a general blessing. The phrase is strongly tied to the call for the First Crusade, and many readers will hear that context.
- Vult is a singular verb, so it matches the singular Deus. Do not change it to volunt, which would mean “they want”.
- The usual spelling is Deus vult. Forms such as Deus vult it or Deus lo vult are not correct Latin.
- Some sources give the cry as a direct quote from Pope Urban II. Robert the Monk reports it as the crowd’s response, not the pope’s words.
Questions about “Deus vult”
What does “Deus vult” mean literally?
“God wills”, in full “God wills it”. Deus is the subject and vult is the present tense of volo, “I want, I wish”.
Who said “Deus vult”?
According to Robert the Monk, the crowd shouted it after Pope Urban II’s speech at Clermont in 1095. Accounts of the speech differ in wording, so the exact words cannot be confirmed.
How do you pronounce “Deus vult”?
In Classical Latin it is DEH-oos woolt. In Church Latin it is DEH-oos voolt. The stress is on the first syllable of Deus.
Is “Deus vult” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, the grammar is correct: a singular subject with a singular verb. Be aware of its association with the Crusades, which some people read as a political or religious statement.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
One Latin line. Every Monday.
A quote, its translation and the story behind it, free in your inbox.