RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2473
year: 1244
initiator: Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, the papal legate, Henricus archiepiscopus Nazarenus, J. Cesariensis electus, R. episcopus Acconensis, Sydonensis episcopus, frater Guillermus de Rokaforti vicemagister domus militiae Templi and his order’s convent, H. prior Dominici Sepulchri, abbas Sancti Samuelis Praemonstratensis ordinis, B. abbas Montis Oliveti, J. abbas Templi Domini, P., abbas Montis Thabor and R. abbas Montis Syon
text: Nov. 25. Acre. In a general letter addressed under seal to the prelates and clergy in the kingdoms of France and England, Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, the papal legate, Henricus archiepiscopus Nazarenus, J. Cesariensis electus, R. episcopus Acconensis, Sydonensis episcopus, frater Guillermus de Rokaforti vicemagister domus militiae Templi and his order’s convent, H. prior Dominici Sepulchri, abbas Sancti Samuelis Praemonstratensis ordinis, B. abbas Montis Oliveti, J. abbas Templi Domini, P., abbas Montis Thabor and R. abbas Montis Syon describe the disasters they have faced in the Holy Land: the invasion by way of Saphet and Tiberias of the nomadic Khorezmians, who had been expelled from their lands by the Mongols; their alliance with the sultan of Egypt; their occupation of the land from Turon Militum, near Jerusalem, to Gaza; the defensive alliance of the Christians, led by the magistri of the Knights Templar and the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, the praeceptor of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans and the nobles with the sultans of Damascus and Homs [Chamela]; the evacuation of the Christians from the city of Jerusalem, trusting in a truce with the sultan of Kerak and the rustici Sarraceni in the mountains, and their losses on the way to Ramla; the Khorezmian occupation of Jerusalem and massacre of those seeking refuge in the church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was vandalized, together with the tombs of the kings, the profanities at Mt Sion, the Templum Domini, St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat and the church of the Nativity at Bethlehem. The patriarch and others describe the advance of the Christian army from Acre along the coast by way of Caesarea, the granting of an indulgence to the soldiers, and the battle before Gaza [La Forbie] on 17 October. Of the convents of the military orders, only 33 Knights Templar, 26 Hospitallers of St John and 3 Hospitallers of St Mary of the Germans escaped, as did the patriarch of Jerusalem, the constabularius Acconensis, Philippus de Monteforti and others who fled to Ascalon. Most nobles and knights were taken or killed. It is not known whether the archbishop of Tyre, the bishop of Ramla [episcopus Sancti Georgii], the abbas of St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the magister of the Knights Templar, the praeceptor of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans and many other churchmen have been killed or captured. The magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and comes Galterus de Brena have been taken as prisoners to Cairo. The patriarch and others have sent letters to the king of Cyprus and the prince of Antioch, but do not know what response there has been. They are now in Acre, while the Khorezmians roam through the land as far as Nazareth and Saphet, dividing up the properties amongst themselves and exacting the rents. They have received letters from Ascalon, where the castellan and brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem are being besieged by the Egyptians, appealing for assistance. Fearful that unless aid from Europe arrives on the next passage in March the land will be lost, the patriarch and others beseech for help. They are sending the bishop of Beirut and Arnulphus ordinis Praedicatorum, risking the dangers of a winter sailing, to explain the situation further.
Nov. 25. Acre. In a general letter addressed under seal to the prelates and clergy in the kingdoms of France and England, Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, the papal legate, Henricus archiepiscopus Nazarenus, J. Cesariensis electus, R. episcopus Acconensis, Sydonensis episcopus, frater Guillermus de... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 4:337-344; see also ‘Annales monasterii. Burtonensis’, pp. 257-63 (RRH no. 1127)