RRR: Correspondence/envoy
657
year: 1160
initiator: Patriarch Amalric of Jerusalem
recipient: Pope Alexander III
text: Late Summer. Patriarch Amalric of Jerusalem informs Pope Alexander III that his letter to them was read to the [clergy of the provinces] of Tyre and Nazareth and all other bishops and clergy present [in the synod of Nazareth]. He reports to the pope on their acceptance of his election and consecration and their condemnation of Octavian [the anti-pope Victor IV] and his supporters I[ohannes de Sancto Martino] and G[uido Cremensis de Sancto Callisto].
Late Summer. Patriarch Amalric of Jerusalem informs Pope Alexander III that his letter to them was read to the [clergy of the provinces] of Tyre and Nazareth and all other bishops and clergy present [in the synod of Nazareth]. He reports to the pope on their acceptance of his election and... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 225-6, no. 83 (RRH no. 357)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
673
year: 1161
initiator: Fredericus Ptholomaidis episcopus
recipient: Abbot and brothers of the abbey of Florennes and the chapter of the church of Saint John the Evangelist of Liège
text: 1153 - Sept. 11 1161. [83] F[redericus] Ptholomaidis episcopus writes to the abbot and brothers of the abbey of Florennes and the chapter of the church of St John the Evangelist of Liège. He records how the canons of St John had asked him to send them relics of St John the Baptist, which had been recently discovered in Sebaste. In Jerusalem he met magister Bovo, who encouraged him to use the influence he had with the hierarchy in the Holy Land and with the king [Baldwin III] and his mother the queen [Melisende] and informed him that he wanted to present a relic of St John the Baptist to the abbey of Florennes. Fredericus and Bovo spent the night in Sebaste, celebrated Mass and persuaded the bishop to present them with a relic, which they divided between Florennes and St John of Liège. The relics are being brought back to Europe by Bovo.
1153 - Sept. 11 1161. [83] F[redericus] Ptholomaidis episcopus writes to the abbot and brothers of the abbey of Florennes and the chapter of the church of St John the Evangelist of Liège. He records how the canons of St John had asked him to send them relics of St John the Baptist, which had been... more
sources: Berlière, ‘Une lettre de Frédéric’, pp. 123-5
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
680
year: 1162
initiator: Pope Alexander III
recipient: Archbishop Syrus of Genoa
text: Mar 25. Genoa. Pope Alexander III thanks Archbishop Syrus of Genoa and the Genoese church for its support in the East with respect to the schism in the Church of Rome and gives them the privilege of holding a perpetual legation [with respect to the Genoese churches] in the East, on condition that he visits the Holy See every eight years.
Mar 25. Genoa. Pope Alexander III thanks Archbishop Syrus of Genoa and the Genoese church for its support in the East with respect to the schism in the Church of Rome and gives them the privilege of holding a perpetual legation [with respect to the Genoese churches] in the East, on condition that... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 231-2, no. 85
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
702
year: 1163
initiator: King Amalric
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Apr. 8. Fons Sephoriae. Amalric Dei gratia Hierosolymorum rex informs King Louis VII of the death of King Baldwin III on 10 February and his accession. He describes the dire state of the Latin East, the capture of Prince Rainald of Antioch and all his company, the earthquake in the previous August that had gravely damaged castles, towers and towns in the principality of Antioch. He asks Louis to come out to the East without delay.
Apr. 8. Fons Sephoriae. Amalric Dei gratia Hierosolymorum rex informs King Louis VII of the death of King Baldwin III on 10 February and his accession. He describes the dire state of the Latin East, the capture of Prince Rainald of Antioch and all his company, the earthquake in the previous August... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:36-7, no. 121 (RRH no. 396)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
707
year: 1163
initiator: King Amalric
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Late Sept. Amalric, per Dei gratiam Hierosolymorum rex, writes to King Louis VII of France, describing how he has invaded Egypt with as large a force as he can muster, leaving his kingdom in as defensible a state as possible against Nur ad-Din, who had summoned all the men he could from Baghdad [Baldac] and the region of the Euphrates. Amalric has laid siege to Bilbais, putting the Egyptian army to flight, but his assault has been frustrated by the flooding of the river Nile [flumen Paradisis]. If Louis would send help Amalric holds out hopes of the conversion of Egypt to Christianity.
Late Sept. Amalric, per Dei gratiam Hierosolymorum rex, writes to King Louis VII of France, describing how he has invaded Egypt with as large a force as he can muster, leaving his kingdom in as defensible a state as possible against Nur ad-Din, who had summoned all the men he could from Baghdad [... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:59-60, no.194 (RRH no. 382)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
708
year: 1163
initiator: Bertrandus de Blancfort, master of the Temple
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Templars
text: Sept.- Oct. B[ertrandus] de Blanc[fort], pauperis militiae Templi magister, with the entire convent of the Knights Templar, writes to King Louis VII of France, describing the grave condition of the Latin East. Prince R[ainald] of Antioch and many magnates have been taken captive or killed. An earthquake has brought fortifications down, including many castles. King Baldwin III has died. Bertrand begs for Louis’s assistance. Templar brothers are being sent to give the king of France more information.
Sept.- Oct. B[ertrandus] de Blanc[fort], pauperis militiae Templi magister, with the entire convent of the Knights Templar, writes to King Louis VII of France, describing the grave condition of the Latin East. Prince R[ainald] of Antioch and many magnates have been taken captive or killed. An... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:38, no. 123 (RRH no. 383)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
709
year: 1163
initiator: King Amalric
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Sept.- Oct. Amalric, per Dei gratiam Hieroslymorum rex, writes to King Louis VII of France. The prince of Antioch has been captured and many of his men are prisoners or dead. An earthquake has struck Antioch and neighbouring regions, leading to many deaths. His brother King Baldwin III has died. Amalric begs Louis, who knows the region, to come himself to the East and bring assistance. He is sending the archbishop of Mamistra [Mamistriae archipraesul] to provide Louis with more information.
Sept.- Oct. Amalric, per Dei gratiam Hieroslymorum rex, writes to King Louis VII of France. The prince of Antioch has been captured and many of his men are prisoners or dead. An earthquake has struck Antioch and neighbouring regions, leading to many deaths. His brother King Baldwin III has died.... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:37-38, no. 122 (RRH no. 384)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
734
year: 1164
initiator: Bohemond III, prince of Antioch
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Aug. 1163 - Aug. 1164. B[ohemond III] the son of Raymond who was once prince of Antioch, writes to King Louis VII of France, referring to himself as the French king’s homo et famulus. He informs the king of the dire state of Antioch, the capture of the prince [Rainald] and other men, the destruction caused by invaders and by an earthquake that destroyed fortifications and castles.
Aug. 1163 - Aug. 1164. B[ohemond III] the son of Raymond who was once prince of Antioch, writes to King Louis VII of France, referring to himself as the French king’s homo et famulus. He informs the king of the dire state of Antioch, the capture of the prince [Rainald] and other men, the... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:27-28, no. 91 (RRH no. 392)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
736
year: 1164
initiator: Frater Gaufredus Fulcherii Hierosolymitanae domus Templi preceptor
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Templars
text: Late Aug. Frater G. Fulcherii domorum pauperis militiae Templi procurator informs King Louis VII of France of the dire state of the land of Antioch and the kingdom of Jerusalem. In July King Amalric, together with the master of the Temple and other leaders of the Holy Land, invaded Egypt and besieged Syraco [Shirkuh] the conestabulus of Nur ad-Din in Berbesium [Bilbais]. Nur ad-Din responded by laying siege to Harenc, situated on the frontier between Antioch and Aleppo, with siege engines and petraries, reducing the garrison to starvation. Prince Bohemond decided to [march in] support, together with the count of Tripoli, dominus Torosius, the dux Marmistensis and brothers of the Temple. So many milites, Turcopoli and pedites were involved that there had never in modern times been such a fair army. In a battle on 12 August the prince and the count were captured. Of 600 milites and 12000 pedites, few survived. The infideles have taken Harenc and besieged Antioch. Frater G. appeals to King Louis for assistance.
Late Aug. Frater G. Fulcherii domorum pauperis militiae Templi procurator informs King Louis VII of France of the dire state of the land of Antioch and the kingdom of Jerusalem. In July King Amalric, together with the master of the Temple and other leaders of the Holy Land, invaded Egypt and... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:60-61, no. 195 (RRH no. 403)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
737
year: 1164
initiator: Frater Gaufredus Fulcherii Hierosolymitanae domus Templi preceptor
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Templars
text: Late Aug. Frater Gaufredus Fulcherii Hierosolymitanae domus Templi preceptor informs King Louis VII of France how Nur ad-Din crossed the Euphrates and with a huge army, including Persae, Turcomani and Ninivitae, and laid siege to Herennium on the borders of Antioch. Prince Bohemond of Antioch was captured and, together with the count of Tripoli, the dux Mamistrae, dominus Ugo de Leziniaco and many others, was incarcerated in Aleppo. 60 Templar milites were killed, together with fratres clientes and Turcopoli. Only 7 escaped. Frater Gaufredus fears for Antioch, which is short of arms, men and victuals; it has food supplies for only 2 months. The patriarch has taken over leadership. Antioch will resist the Turci, but cannot hold off the emperor of Constantinople without assistance. On 1 August King Amalric, who had invaded Egypt carrying with him the relic of the True Cross [sanctae crucis vexillum], besieged Syraco [Shirkuh], the conestabulus of Nur ad- Din in the city of Herbesium [Bilbais]. In Jerusalem the defenders are few when compared to the vast numbers of Turci. Assistance is badly needed. Frater Gaufredus warns King Louis not to expect other messengers from him, because with the king and master absent he dare not send more probi homines.
Late Aug. Frater Gaufredus Fulcherii Hierosolymitanae domus Templi preceptor informs King Louis VII of France how Nur ad-Din crossed the Euphrates and with a huge army, including Persae, Turcomani and Ninivitae, and laid siege to Herennium on the borders of Antioch. Prince Bohemond of Antioch was... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:62-63, no. 197 (RRH no. 404)