RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1114
year: 1182
initiator: Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem and Petrus prior of the Holy Sepulchre
recipient: Conradus de Dachavv Dux
institution: Holy Sepulchre
text: (c. 1182). Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem and P. sanctae resurrectionis ecclesiae prior, together with the chapter of the Holy Sepulchre, write under seal to Conradus de Dachavv Dux [Count Conrad III of Dachau], reminding him how, when he had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he was told that in the time of his father his men had murdered a canon. In recompense he had promised to build a church in honour of the Cross. He should also help restore properties lost by the canons.
(c. 1182). Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem and P. sanctae resurrectionis ecclesiae prior, together with the chapter of the Holy Sepulchre, write under seal to Conradus de Dachavv Dux [Count Conrad III of Dachau], reminding him how, when he had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he was told that in... more
sources: Conrad of Scheyern, pp. 93-4 (RRH no. 623)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1127
year: 1183
initiator: Muslim governor of Harim
recipient: Franks
text: *Early Summer. The Muslim governor of Harim reportedly writes to the Franks, asking for protection against Saladin, but the garrison of Harim arrests and expels him and declares for Saladin.
*Early Summer. The Muslim governor of Harim reportedly writes to the Franks, asking for protection against Saladin, but the garrison of Harim arrests and expels him and declares for Saladin.
sources: Abu Shamah 4:235-6
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1139
year: 1183
initiator: Saladin
recipient: Pope Lucius III
text: (1183). Saladin writes to [Pope Lucius III]. He has received the pope’s messages, delivered by Oliverus Vitalis, and agrees to an exchange of prisoners, but he maintains that the Christians in captivity are gentiles et nobiles viri, whereas the Muslims in captivity are rustici et minimi et vilissimi homines. He suggests that the standing of the prisoners held by either side be taken into account. He provides Oliverus with confidential messages for the pope.
(1183). Saladin writes to [Pope Lucius III]. He has received the pope’s messages, delivered by Oliverus Vitalis, and agrees to an exchange of prisoners, but he maintains that the Christians in captivity are gentiles et nobiles viri, whereas the Muslims in captivity are rustici et minimi et... more
sources: Ralph of Diceto 2:25 (RRH no. 635)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1123
year: 1183
initiator: Al-Adil [Sisidin rex]
recipient: Pope Lucius III
text: Mar. 31. Al-Adil [Sisidin rex] writes to Pope Lucius III. He has received the pope’s letter, delivered by Janus Dandulus. He had been negotiating with Pope Alexander III over the redemption of Christians held captive by the Muslims [Sarraceni]. He reports that his brother Saladin has won a victory in the neighbourhood of Tyre and that all the territory between Damascus and Niniveh is now subject to him. He will pass on the pope’s request to Saladin. If the Christians in the kingdom of Jerusalem obey the pope and observe peace the Muslims will maintain the agreement relative to the captives, but they will be blameless if the Christians do not.
Mar. 31. Al-Adil [Sisidin rex] writes to Pope Lucius III. He has received the pope’s letter, delivered by Janus Dandulus. He had been negotiating with Pope Alexander III over the redemption of Christians held captive by the Muslims [Sarraceni]. He reports that his brother Saladin has won a victory... more
sources: Ralph of Diceto 2:25-7 (RRH no. 626)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1148
year: 1184
initiator: Baldwin IV
recipient: E., magister Templi A. and magister sanctae domus Hospitalis Jerusalem R.
institution: Templars
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: c. Oct. King Baldwin [IV] of Jerusalem writes to Patriarch E., magister Templi A. and magister sanctae domus Hospitalis Jerusalem R, [who had left in June, [190] carrying with them the royal banner and the keys to the Tower of David, the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre to present to the Emperor Frederick I, King Philip II of France or King Henry II of England, should one of them agree to come to the assistance of the Holy Land]. He is glad to hear from them that they have landed safely at Brindisi. He reports that c. 9 -10 July Saladin invaded the territory of Cratum and devastated the region for 3 weeks. On 31 July he penetrated the city of Cratum and, erecting 14 petraries, besieged the castle for 4 weeks. On learning of the approach of the king, he burnt his siege engines and withdrew by way of Nablus, which he devastated, while the population sought refuge in the castle. He then proceeded to Sebasten, the bishop of which redeemed his city and 80 captives, Arabia, Magnum Gerinum, Parvum Gerinum, a Templar villa, and the Hospitaller castle of Belverium, devastating the land and seizing captives as he went.
c. Oct. King Baldwin [IV] of Jerusalem writes to Patriarch E., magister Templi A. and magister sanctae domus Hospitalis Jerusalem R, [who had left in June, [190] carrying with them the royal banner and the keys to the Tower of David, the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre to present to the... more
sources: Delaville Le Roulx, Cart Hosp 1:444-5, no 662; also ed. in Ralph of Diceto 2:27-8 (RRH no. 638)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1179
year: 1186
initiator: Pope Urban III
recipient: Patriarch of Jerusalem
text: Mar. 13. Verona. Pope Urban III informs the patriarch of Jerusalem that he has ordered King Baldwin V of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli, baliuus regni Ierosolimitanus, to render justice to the Genoese over rights granted them by King Baldwin I, in the presence of the archbishop of Nazareth and the masters of the Knighthood of the Temple and the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
Mar. 13. Verona. Pope Urban III informs the patriarch of Jerusalem that he has ordered King Baldwin V of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli, baliuus regni Ierosolimitanus, to render justice to the Genoese over rights granted them by King Baldwin I, in the presence of the archbishop of Nazareth and... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 319-20, no. 143 (RRH no. 438)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1237
year: 1187
initiator: Brothers of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
recipient: Dominus Archumbaldus magister Hospitalarium Italię and their brothers overseas
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Aug. 1-31. [Brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem] write to dominus Archumbaldus magister Hospitalarium Italię and their brothers overseas. They narrate how the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli, with whom he had made peace, were at Saphora with 30000 men around 29 June, when Saladin reached and took Tiberias with 80000. The king advanced and fought all day on 3 July at Marestutia. He pitched his tent that night at Saluubia and the next day the master of the Knights Templars lost most of his brothers, after which the king moved to Naim and was helped by the count of Tripoli to reach a hill which was a natural fortress. The Turci lit fires around the hill and the Christian force, faced with great heat, was deprived of food and drink. Then Baldoinus de Fatinor, Bachaberbocus de Tabaria and Leisius with 3 companions deserted and revealed to Saladin the state of the Christian army. Saladin sent Techedinus with 20000 picked knights to overcome the Christians. The king and the relic of the True Cross were taken, as were comes Gabula, Milo de Calauerdo, Onfredus iuvenis, princeps Renaldus, who was killed, Galterius de Arsun, Hugo de Gibelen, domnus de Botrono and domnus de Marachele, and 1000 others of the better men. No more than 200 escaped, including the count of Tripoli, domnus Basianus and Reinardus domnus Sidonis. Saladin then took Saphora, Nazareth, Mt Tabor, Acre, Haifa, Caesarea, Jaffa, Nablus, Ram [Ramla], Sanctus Georgius [Lydda], Ybellinon, Bellefort, Mirabel, Tyronus, Gwaler, Gazer and Audurum. When the Hospitaller galley left Tyre, [some of those who had surrendered] sent Sabani to Saladin to advise him to move on Jerusalem which would surrender. [219] The Hospitallers fled in their galley to Lechia [Latakia], where they heard that Tyre had fallen. They hope that the following cities can be saved if help comes from the West: Jerusalem, Tyre, Ascalon, Marchart, Antioch, Lassar, Saona and Tripoli. Like ants, large numbers of Sarraceni and Turci have overrun the country from Tyre, which they are besieging, to Jerusalem.
Aug. 1-31. [Brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem] write to dominus Archumbaldus magister Hospitalarium Italię and their brothers overseas. They narrate how the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli, with whom he had made peace, were at Saphora with 30000 men around 29 June, when... more
sources: ‘Historia de expeditione Friderici imperatoris’, pp. 2-4 (RRH no. 661)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1239
year: 1187
initiator: Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem
recipient: All Christians
text: Sept. 4-17. Jerusalem. Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem addresses a general letter to all Christians. He reports the disaster [at Hattin] in which 25000 Christians were killed and the relic of the True Cross fell into the hands of the Sarraceni, togther with the king of Jerusalem and 3 bishops and their companions, who were all killed. The following cities have fallen to the enemy: Acre, Nazareth, Tiberias, Safra, Grangeli, Petit Geli, Sabast, Casal Sentgili, Nablus [Daplez], Betel, Mahumeria Gran, Rametez, Bethlehem, Hebron, Turco, Petita Mafumeria, Bertogo, Castel Arnal, Bel Veder, Sent George, Tyre, Ramla, Ascalon, Jaffa, Arsur, Jorgeria, Calcalia, Caesarea, Caco, Calanco, Merle, Haifa, Betinoble, Eibeli and also 30 castles [castra]. The infidels have lain with women on altars and stabled their horses in churches. The patriarch begs for help to save Jerusalem, which Saladin is approaching with an army. It is feared that he intends to besiege the city. The patriarch offers a plenary indulgence to all who come to its aid.
Sept. 4-17. Jerusalem. Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem addresses a general letter to all Christians. He reports the disaster [at Hattin] in which 25000 Christians were killed and the relic of the True Cross fell into the hands of the Sarraceni, togther with the king of Jerusalem and 3 bishops and... more
sources: Jaspert, ‘Zwei unbekannte Hilfsersuchen’, pp. 511-16
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1240
year: 1187
initiator: Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem
recipient: Pope Urban III
text: Sept 5-20. Jerusalem. Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem sends Pope Urban III news [of the battle of Hattin]. The relic of the True Cross has been lost to the Traci. The bishops of Lydda and Acre, who were in charge of the Cross, have been killed. The king has been made captive and his army has been partly killed and partly imprisoned. The following cities and castles have been lost: Gybeletum, Beirut, Sydon, Acre, [Tiberias, Nazaret]h, Sebasten, [Nablus], Haifa, Caesarea, Assur, Jaffa, Ascalon, Lydda, lbelinen, Turon, Mirabel, Bethlehem and Hebron. Only Jerusalem, surrounded by the enemies of the cross and expecting to be besieged by Saladin, who has established himself nearby, and Tyre are still in Christian hands. All the provinces and dioceses of the patriarchate except those of Tyre and Petra are occupied by the pagani. An addendum lists the places occupied by the Thurci: Gybeletum, Beirut, Acre, Thuronum, Castellum Noveum,Tiberias with all its dependences, Haifa, Caesarea, Assur, Jaffa, Ascalon, Ybelinen, Ramatha, Lydda, Mirabel, Tharenta, Bethenopolis, Hebron, Fiyr, Bethlehem, Machumia, Castruim sancte Helie, Castrum Egidii, Nablus, Gerinen, Sebasten, Nazareth and Mons Thabor.
Sept 5-20. Jerusalem. Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem sends Pope Urban III news [of the battle of Hattin]. The relic of the True Cross has been lost to the Traci. The bishops of Lydda and Acre, who were in charge of the Cross, have been killed. The king has been made captive and his army has been... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 324-7, no. 149; Kedar, ‘Ein Hilferuf’, pp. 120-2
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1241
year: 1187
initiator: Consuls of Genoa
recipient: Pope Urban III
text: End of Sept. The consuls of Genoa write to Pope Urban III. They narrate how Saladin entered the kingdom of Jerusalem on 3 July with 70000 knights or more and laid siege to Tiberias. The lady of Tiberias appealed to the king. On the advice of the count of Tripoli, to whom he was reconciled, the king went to her assistance. In spite of the bravery of the Knights Templar, who were slaughtered, the Christian army was surrounded. Six of the king’s milites - Balduinus de Fotina, Radulfus Bructus and Laudoicus de Tabaria with three others, defected to Saladin and informed him of the state of the Christian army. Saladin’s nephew, Tochedinus, captured the king and seized the relic of the True Cross. Saladin had his Templar and Hospitaller captives beheaded and himself killed princeps Rainaldus de Castellione. After the battle Saladin took Acre and neighbouring places. The Sirii in Jerusalem offered to surrender the city. Many Christians from Acre and other places fled to Tyre. Ascalon is well provided with victuals and troops, as are Antioch, Margatus, and nearly all the principality. The county of Tripoli is safe. The consuls beg the pope to arouse the faithful to recover the Holy Land.
End of Sept. The consuls of Genoa write to Pope Urban III. They narrate how Saladin entered the kingdom of Jerusalem on 3 July with 70000 knights or more and laid siege to Tiberias. The lady of Tiberias appealed to the king. On the advice of the count of Tripoli, to whom he was reconciled, the king... more
sources: Hampe, ‘Reise’, pp. 278-80 (RRH no. 664a)