RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2101
year: 1229
initiator: Hermannus, master of the Hospital of Saint Mary of the Germans
recipient: Pope Gregory IX
text: Mar. 7-17. Frater H. Hospitalis sancta Marie domus Theutonicorum in Ierusalem minister reports to Pope Gregory IX on events in the Holy Land since the arrival of the emperor Frederick in autumn 1228. He describes how on 15 November the emperor with his army reached Jaffa to refortify its castle and prepare for an advance on Jerusalem. They were hindered by a lack of pack animals [somarii] and by bad weather that was preventing provisioning by sea, although eventually the weather eased. While work continued on the fortifications, messengers passed between the emperor and the sultan of Egypt, who was camping at Gaza with his brother Seraph, while the sultan of Damascus was established at Nablus. The sultan of Egypt restored Jerusalem to the emperor, except only the Templum Domini, which would be open to those of both sides wishing to pray there. The sultan also restored villa Sancti Georgii [Lydda] with the casalia on either side of the road to Jerusalem; Bethlehem with the casalia between it and Jerusalem; Nazareth with the casalia on either side of the road to Acre; castrum Tyronis; and the city of Sidon. The Christians can refortify Jerusalem, Jaffa, Caesarea and the new castle of Montfort, belonging to the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans. The sultan promises not to refortify castles or build new ones until the end of the truce. All prisoners taken by either side at Damietta will be returned. The emperor went to Jerusalem and wore his crown. Frater Leonardus reached Jaffa on 7 March, bringing disturbing news of events on Europe. The archiepiscopus Reginus will provide the pope with further reports.
Mar. 7-17. Frater H. Hospitalis sancta Marie domus Theutonicorum in Ierusalem minister reports to Pope Gregory IX on events in the Holy Land since the arrival of the emperor Frederick in autumn 1228. He describes how on 15 November the emperor with his army reached Jaffa to refortify its castle and... more
sources: MGH Leges 2:161-2, no. 121 (RRH no. 999)