year: 1249
text: c. June 10. Frater W. de Senay magister pauperis militiae Templi informs frater Robertus de Sanford in Anglia preceptor of the capture of Damietta by King Louis IX of France, who reached the port on [4 June], landed his army on [the 5th], killing many pagans (pagani), with only one Christian fatality, and occupied Damietta, which had been abandoned, on [the 6th]. Louis intends to advance on Alexandria and Cairo (Babilon), to free Christian captives, including Knights Templar, and to subject the land to the Christian religion.
c. June 10. Frater W. de Senay magister pauperis militiae Templi informs frater Robertus de Sanford in Anglia preceptor of the capture of Damietta by King Louis IX of France, who reached the port on [4 June], landed his army on [the 5th], killing many pagans (pagani), with only one Christian... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 6:162, no. 82; RRH 1180. English translation in Jackson, Seventh Crusade, p. 91
year: 1249
text: c. mid. June. Iohannes monachus de Pontiniaco reports that after the capture of Damietta the king of France needs more men to garrison it and colonists, for whom he has brought agricultural equipment (aratra, ligones, trahae et alia rusticana instrumenta). Iohannes describes an exchange between the sultan of Egypt and the king, ironical on the part of the sultan, committed on the part of the king. He adds that the Christian fleet contained 120 dromones, together with galleys and smaller ships (galeae et naves minores), and that the king prayed for divine assistance on landing.
c. mid. June. Iohannes monachus de Pontiniaco reports that after the capture of Damietta the king of France needs more men to garrison it and colonists, for whom he has brought agricultural equipment (aratra, ligones, trahae et alia rusticana instrumenta). Iohannes describes an exchange between the... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 6:163, no. 83. English translation in Jackson, Seventh Crusade, p. 92
year: 1249
text: June 23. In Castris Jamas, Egypt. Robertus count of Artois (comes Attrabatensis) informs his mother Queen Blanche of France that King Louis, the queen and her sister are in good health, but that his brother the count of Anjou (comes Andegavensis) has mild quartan fever. He describes the passage from the port of Limassol (Linocium) in Cyprus to Damietta; the council-of-war in the king’s ship (navis) that decided on landing the following day, in spite of defenders, a large army of Turks (Turci) and armed galleys (galeae); the transfer of the army from the large ships (magnae naves) into the galleys and smaller vessels (galeae et minuti vexilli); the landing, accompanied by the legate carrying a relic of the True Cross, and the battle that followed; the retreat of the Muslims (Turks and Saracens; Turci, Sarraceni) and their subsequent withdrawal from Damietta, which was taken [on 6 June]. The city is well provisioned and the king, whose goods were unloaded from his ships, intends to stay until the Nile flood is over, remembering the disastrous effect the flood had (on the Fifth Crusade). He will then occupy the land. Robertus also reports the birth in Cyprus of a son to the countess of Anjou (Comitissa Andegavensis).
June 23. In Castris Jamas, Egypt. Robertus count of Artois (comes Attrabatensis) informs his mother Queen Blanche of France that King Louis, the queen and her sister are in good health, but that his brother the count of Anjou (comes Andegavensis) has mild quartan fever. He describes the passage... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 6:152-54, no. 80. English translation in Jackson, Seventh Crusade, pp. 84-85
year: 1249
text: June 23. Acre. In scalis dictae domus. In [the presence of] Nicolaus Dragius, Bergognonus [...], and in the name of the commune of Genoa, dominus Guilielmus de Burgaro and dominus Simon MalocelIus, consules et vicecomites in Syria pro communi Januae, take possession of half of a house that once belonged to Nicolaus Antelmus. It is now occupied by Bouarellus, who is confirmed in possession on condition that he should abandon it if asked to do so by the commune or its emissary. The deed was written by Castellinus de Paxano sacri imperii notarius.
June 23. Acre. In scalis dictae domus. In [the presence of] Nicolaus Dragius, Bergognonus [...], and in the name of the commune of Genoa, dominus Guilielmus de Burgaro and dominus Simon MalocelIus, consules et vicecomites in Syria pro communi Januae, take possession of half of a house that once... more
sources: Desimoni, ‘Quatre titres’, p. 214, no. 1
year: 1249
text: June 23. Damietta. Jehanz Sarrazinz, chamberlanz of the king of France writes to Nicholas Herode. He reports that the king and queen, the count of Artois (Artoiz), the count of Anjou and his wife and he himself are all well at the city of Damietta which surrendered to the Christians on the Sunday a fortnight after Pentecost (6 June). The royal party had embarked from Aigues-Mortes on 28 August (1248) and arrived in Cyprus on 17 September. They landed at Limecon ahead of the main fleet. At Christmas, Eljigdei (El Cheltay), one of the granz princes des Tartarinz (Mongols) and a Christian, sent a message to the king at Nicosia. The king sent the Dominican, Andrew of Longjumeau (Andrieu) who recognized the envoys and who acted as an interpreter: many leading Mongols (Tartars) had been baptized; they would deploy their forces in support of the king and of Christendom against the caliph of Baghdad (Baudas) as they wished to avenge the shame inflicted of Our Lord by the Khwarazmians (Coramin) and others. The king was to invade Egypt while they would attack Baghdad (Baudas), thereby preventing any co-operation. The king sent envoys to Eljigdei (El Cheltay) and to the soverain seigneur des Tartarinz (Mongols) named Güyüg (Kyoquem). He was told it would take six months to reach Güyüg (Kyoquem) but that Eljigdei (El Cheltay) was not too far away, being in Persia (Perse) which he had destroyed and subjected to the Mongols (Tartarinz). The envoys set off a fortnight after Candlemas (16 February): Fr Andrieu de l’ordre de Saint Jaque, and another brother, Jehanz Goderiche and another clerk from Poissi, Hesberz li Sommelierz and Gileberz de Senz. Part way through Lent the king heard that they were proceeding though unbelievers’ territory on their way to the khan (maistre des Tartarinz). The king and his whole force – over 2,500 knights and 5,000 crossbowmen and many more mounted and footmen – set sail from Limassol and other Cypriot ports 13 May, bound for Damietta. They were at sea for 22 days thanks to contrary weather and arrived off Damietta 4 June. They landed the next day. The king, accompanied by the legate, Jehan de Biaumont, Mahieuz de Marli, and Jeuffroi de Serginnes landed in a barge carrying the gonfanon of St Denis. They were opposed by a force of at least 2,000 Turkish cavalry, but nevertheless made good their landing. After a fierce encounter the Turks retreated to Damietta leaving getting on for 500 dead including three amirs as against hardly any Christian losses. Li Rous, who had been the captain in the battle before Gadres when the count of Bar and the count of Montfort had been defeated and captured, was killed. The following Sunday (6 June) a Muslim came to the king to say that Damietta had been abandoned. The Christians occupied the town, and on 12 June the king made a formal entrance. There is no chance of moving on until 1 November (All Saints) because the flun de Paradis that is called the Nile (Nil) is in flood and so it is not possible to go to Alexandra (Alixandre), Cairo (Babiloinne) or Kahaire. What the sultan is doing is not known; the only problem comes in the form of marauding Bedouin. The lesson of thirty years previously when the Christians took the city after much toil and lost it again when they were trapped by the floods has been learnt.
June 23. Damietta. Jehanz Sarrazinz, chamberlanz of the king of France writes to Nicholas Herode. He reports that the king and queen, the count of Artois (Artoiz), the count of Anjou and his wife and he himself are all well at the city of Damietta which surrendered to the Christians on the Sunday a... more
sources: ‘Rothelin’, RHC Oc. 2:568-71, 589-93. English translation in Shirley, Crusader Syria in the Thirteenth Century, pp. 68-69, 85-88
year: 1249
text: June 25. Iohannes de Bellomonte, Francie camerarius, describes recent events to his friend Geoffrey de la Chapelle, panetier of France. The king and queen of France, the count of Artois (comes Attrebatensis), the count of Anjou (comes Andegavensis), the countess of Anjou (comitissa Andegavensis), Iohannes himself and his sons Guido and Guilelmus are well. Iohannes describes how it took 23 days for the crusade to make what in good weather would have been a 3-day crossing from Cyprus to Egypt. The fleet contained at least 120 large ships (magne naves) and 800 smaller ones (minora vasa). He describes how the army (rex et fratres, barones, milites, servientes, balistarii) was transferred from the large ships to smaller vessels; the battle against the Saracens (Sarraceni) that followed the landing, in which the Christians sustained few casualties; the abandonment of the city of Damietta and the Christian occupation of it. He estimates that there are 1,900 knights from France in the army, supplemented by 700 from Syria, Cyprus, the Knights Templar and the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, and elsewhere in the East, and 3,000 [from other regions].
June 25. Iohannes de Bellomonte, Francie camerarius, describes recent events to his friend Geoffrey de la Chapelle, panetier of France. The king and queen of France, the count of Artois (comes Attrebatensis), the count of Anjou (comes Andegavensis), the countess of Anjou (comitissa Andegavensis),... more
sources: Riant ‘Six lettres’, pp. 389-90. English translation in Jackson, Seventh Crusade, pp. 85-86
year: 1249
text: *July 14. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to Eudes de Châteauroux, bishop of Tusculum (Frascati) and papal legate: he may deprive the Templars, Hospitallers, Teutonic Order or other religious orders of their privileges in the event of open insubordination.
*July 14. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to Eudes de Châteauroux, bishop of Tusculum (Frascati) and papal legate: he may deprive the Templars, Hospitallers, Teutonic Order or other religious orders of their privileges in the event of open insubordination.
sources: Calendar entry in Claverie, L’Ordre du Temple, vol. 3, no. 591, p. 522
year: 1249
text: July 14. Acre. In the presence of Iohannes Castanea, Petrus Straleria, Guillielmus Gabernia, Guillielmus Panzanus, Bonus Iohannes Schachetus, Iacobus de Porta, Sorlionus de Grimaldo, Faravellus Cicade, Iohannes Detesalve, Lanfranchus Botarius, Enricus de Vivaldo, Marchisius de Rodoano, Grimaldus Bancherius, Thomas Carbonus, [...], Guido de Finemundo and Fulco de Logia, the consules et vicecomites Januensium, Guillielmus de Burgaro and Simon Mallocellus, list the possessions, houses and revenues owned by the commune of Genoa in the city of Acre. I. PROPERTIES leased [for short terms] when the fleet arrived (ad passagium) during the consulate of Guillielmus de Burgaro and Simon Mallocellus. The commune’s house, situated before the commune’s new tower, next to the house of Iohannes Feto, together with a warehouse (magazenum), and another warehouse, returning 30 and 15 besants. The commune’s old tower, adjoining the church of St Laurence and next to the said house of the commune, together with an apotheca, returning 60 and 8 besants. The commune’s old palacium, below which is the courtroom, returning 15 besants. The commune’s house which once belonged to Bonivicinus is not let, but its warehouse returns 12 besants. The commune’s house next to the house of the Capelleti and before the street (carrubium) with its warehouse, returning 127 besants. The commune’s third palacium in the Ruga Cooperta, next to the house of Thomas Carbonus and his brother, returning 100 besants, together with its 2 warehouses, returning 20 besants 12 karati and 10 besants respectively. The commune’s second palacium in the Ruga Cooperta and its warehouse, returning 65 besants and 15 besants 12 karati respectively. The palacium at the commune’s logia with its warehouse, returning 90 besants. The commune’s Palacium Griffi with a mezanum and 2 warehouses, returning 21 besants 12 karati, 24 besants and 10 besants respectively. The commune’s third palacium in the direction of the ordamer close to [penes] the house of Thomas Carbonus, together with its warehouse, returning 18 and 9 besants respectively. The commune’s house situated at lordamer next to the wall of the Hospital, returning 10 besants, although visitors are exempt. Total: 250 besants 12 karati, of which 476 besants have been collected. The previous consuls collected 264 besants 12 karati, of which 10 besants was missing. II. YEAR-LONG leases during the consulate of Guillielmus de Burgaro and Simon Mallocellus. The commune’s house that was held by Iohannes Volans before the commune’s platea and on one side of the street (carrubium), returning 144 besants. The commune’s house next to it, with a warehouse and stalls (stalla), that belonged to Pignataria, returning 105 besants. 2 houses of the commune, placed close to the pork butchers (bacconerii) and across the road from the darsana, each returning 12 besants. The commune’s volta next to the pork butchers in the direction of ordamer, returning 6 besants. The commune’s house by the street next to the [quarter of] the Pisans, returning 8 besants. The commune’s house in the Ruga de Tribus Meagiis, behind the houses of Grimaldus Bancherius, returning 10 besants. The sum of these rents comes to 297 besants, but nothing has been received by the consuls. III. Properties auctioned publicly (in publica calega) for lease [for short terms] to be occupied when the fleet should arrives (ad passagium) during the succeeding consulate of Simon Malocellus and Ogerius Ricius. The commune’s house, situated before the commune’s new tower, together with a mezanum and warehouse (magazenum), and another warehouse, returning 76 and 20 besants. The commune’s old tower, adjoining the church of St Laurence, returning 70 besants. The tower’s volta, situated by the commune’s platea, returning 8 besants and 6 karati. The commune’s old palacium, below which is the courtroom, returning 125 besants. The commune’s house, which once belonged to Bonivicinus, is not let, but its warehouse returned 16 besants. The commune’s house next to the house of the Capelleti with its warehouse, returning 90 besants. The commune’s third palacium in the Ruga Cooperta, next to the houses of Thomas Carbonus and Iacobus, soap makers (Sabonerii), returning 76 besants, together with its 2 warehouses, returning 25 besants. The commune’s second palacium in the Ruga Cooperta and its 2 warehouses, returning 20 besants, 29 besants and 21 besants respectively. The palacium at the commune’s logia with its warehouse, returning 60 besants 18 karati. The commune’s Palacium Griffi with its warehouse, returning 61 besants. The commune’s palacium next to the palacium Grifi and its warehouse, returning 75 besants 12 karati. The commune’s third palacium in the street, together with its warehouse, returning 44 besants. Another warehouse in the same street, returning 21 besants 12 karati. The total sum of short-term leases in the consulship of Simon Malocellus and Ogerius Ricius is 839 besants. III. HOUSES leased out through public auction (in publica calega) in the consulship of Simon Mallocellus and Ogerius Ricius. A warehouse (magasenum) with a money-changer’s stall (bancum) at the old tower of the Genoese commune, returning 57 besants. A second money-changer’s stall with an apotheca, returning 60 besants. A third money-changer’s stall with a warehouse at the same tower, and an apotheca situated towards the platea of the commune, returning 60 besants. The house of the commune which belonged to Ademar, next to the commune’s house that belonged to Pignataria, returning 80 besants. 3 apothecae at the commune’s old palacium, returning 23 besants. Warehouses (magasena) at the same palacium and the volta of the house that belonged to Bonusvicinus, returning 20 besants. 2 of the commune’s houses that belonged to Schiveta, below and above, returning respectively 19 and 26 besants. A house of the commune next to those houses, above and below, returning 36 besants 18 karati. A house of the commune next to the new tower beside the pork butchers, above and below, returning 28 besants. A house of the commune that belonged to Iohannes Osbergerius, returning 8 besants. A house next to the above house and next to the pork butchers, returning 12 besants. A house of the commune that was held by Ugo Calderarius, in front of the new tower of the Pisans, returning 10 besants. A house of the commune, returning 8 besants. A house of the commune situated at ordamer next to the wall of the Hospital, returning 32 besants. A contract (apautus) for meat with the commune, returning 20 besants. 2 money-changers’ stalls (banca) before the church of St James, returning 21 besants. The commune’s oven, licenced in the usual way (more solito licitatus), returning 366 besants. The commune’s garden in the city of Acre, licenced in the usual way (more solito licitatus), returning 116 besants. The total sum of the leases is 1,003 besants, 18 karati, concerning which they received 510 besants, 5 karati, which are not included in this account (non positis in hiis solucione), and were returns from the house of Iohannes Antelmus. IV. AUDIT of the commune’s possessions outside Acre and rented for a year. The commune’s bath house in Nicosia, returning 241 besants. The commune’s house in Famagusta, returning 57 besants. The mill at Tyre, returning 310 besants. The total sum is 608 besants, of which they have collected 452 besants, 16 karati. V. ANNUAL RENTS paid to the commune on the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary for houses and buildings situated over the burgesia and in the ruga of the commune of Genoa, and also recognoscimenta paid to the commune and mentioned below. For the house of Fulco de Logia and the inheritance of the late Lambertus his brother, 32 besants. For the house of Jacobus de Porta, 30 besants. For the house of Bonavia de S. Laurencio, 30 besants. For the house of Iohannes Curnuda, 29 besants. For the house of Durant Bancherius, which was previously held by Iohannes Malfitanus, 13 besants, 12 karati. For the house of Johannes Malfitanus, adjoining the said house, 13 besants, 12 karati. For the house of Laurencius de Guillielmo, 17 besants. For the house of the late Petrus de Varagine, 18 besants. For the house of Iacobus de Varagine, 17 besants. For the house of Iohannes Feto, 25 besants. For the house of Cavallarotus, 12 karati. For the gastina (guastina) of the admiratus Bonus Johannes, 18 karati. For the house of the admiratus Bonus Johannes, 8 besants. For the house of Laurencius de Vintimillio, 18 karati. For the house of Grimaldus Bancherius, 3 besants, 12 karati. For the house of Bonaventura, which was held by the late Egia, his mother, 3 besants. For the old tower which was held by Marchisius de Rodoano and is now held by Johannes Castanea, 3 besants. For the house of the heirs of Guillielmus de Petra, 2 besants. For the 2 houses held by the heirs of the late Johannes Galianus, 3 besants, 12 karati. For the house of the church of St Laurence, 8 besants. For the house of Guillielmus de Lagneto that used to be held by Cataldus, 10 besants. For another 2 houses held by the said Guillielmus de Lagneto, 9 besants. For the house of Durant Bancherius that used to be held by the late Clara, 4 besants. For the house that used to be held by Donadeus Angelerius and is now held by Petrus Bornius, Bedonia and companions, 2 besants. For the house of Iacobus de Mazarina, 1 besant. For the house of Nicola de S. Siro that used to be held by Philipus Maniavacha, 2 besants, 12 karati. For the house of Capelles (domus Capelletis), 22 besants. For the house of the heirs of Jacobus de Rodoano, 2 besants. For the house of the late Iacobus de Saboneris and the brothers of Thomas, 11 besants. For the house of Iohannes Canzelerius that used to be held by Piper draperius, 3 besants. For the house of Laurencius de Guillielmo that used to be held by the said Piper, 1 besant. For the house of Enricus Guercius that used to be held by Marchisius de Rodoano, 1 besant. For the house which used to be held by the said Marchisius and is now held by Benvenutus Tossicus, 1 besant. For the house of the heirs of the late Beltramus Pilletus, 12 besants. For the house of the daughter of Guillielmus de Pagana, 4 besants. For the house of Iacobus de Levanto as an annual recognoscimentum, 7 besants. For the house of Obertus Filator, as a recognoscimentum, 4 besants. For the house of Iohannes Filator, 3 besants. For the house of Grimaldus Bancherius in the darsana, 2 besants. VI. FREED from rent. The following houses used to return rent and are now free. The houses of Iohannes Valantis, Sibilia Pignataria, Ademar, Alexander miles, Ugo Calderarius, Palmerotus [which is now longer inhabited on account of the war]. The following houses are in the burgensia and in the ruga of the Genoese, but are nevertheless freed from rent. The houses of Guillielmus Grassus, which used to be held by the late Fantinus de S. Laurencio, Iohannes Castanea, which used to be held by Marchus Oliva, Isabella de Tyri, Grimaldus, next to the house of Iacobus de Mazarina. The total sum gained annually from rents is 358 besants, 12 karati, of which they collected 245 besants, 21 karati. VII. AT THE ORDER of the consuls the accounts have been rendered in writing by Castellinus de Paxano sacri imperii notarius.
July 14. Acre. In the presence of Iohannes Castanea, Petrus Straleria, Guillielmus Gabernia, Guillielmus Panzanus, Bonus Iohannes Schachetus, Iacobus de Porta, Sorlionus de Grimaldo, Faravellus Cicade, Iohannes Detesalve, Lanfranchus Botarius, Enricus de Vivaldo, Marchisius de Rodoano, Grimaldus... more
sources: Desimoni, ‘Quatre titres’, pp. 215-21, no. 2; RRH 1182
year: 1249
text: October 1, Ind. VII. Acre. In the commune’s house, situated before the new tower of the commune of Genoa. We, Lanfrancus Tornellus, Marinus Bachemus and Stephanus de Guiberto and certain others, appoint as their procurators Wilielmum Ceriolum, Antonium de Grimaldo and Wilielmum Gilvasium to receive the 3,750 pounds of Tours as promised by the master of the Temple to us and Wilielmo Giluasio (being absent) at the Templar house in Paris at the time of the next Lagny fair being payment for the 10,000 Saracen besants of Syria paid to the lord of Bourbon in accord with the letters sealed by the master Guillelmus de Sonayo. (See document of 12 May 1249) Witnesses: Bonus Vassallus Nepitella, Wilielminus Tornellus, Vivaldus de Boglasco.
October 1, Ind. VII. Acre. In the commune’s house, situated before the new tower of the commune of Genoa. We, Lanfrancus Tornellus, Marinus Bachemus and Stephanus de Guiberto and certain others, appoint as their procurators Wilielmum Ceriolum, Antonium de Grimaldo and Wilielmum Gilvasium to receive... more
sources: Belgrano, Documenti inediti, pp. 62-63, no. 33; RRH 1183
year: 1249
text: November. Damietta. Louis IX’s charter establishing the church of Damietta. The king records the arrival of the army on the shore on 5 June 1249 and the flight of the Muslim army from Damietta. What is now the church dedicated to St Mary has been purified and priest have been appointed to serve there. The king grants certain properties including two towers for the use of the clergy and that they shall receive a tithe of all seigneurial revenues in the city and diocese, the archbishop’s share to be two thirds. In addition to tithes the archbishop shall receive 5,000 besants and the canons 5,000 besants annually from the rents on rural and urban properties. The archbishop is to enfeoff ten knights who will owe service to him and, when necessary, to the ruler. The archbishop and clergy are to be free of all harbour and customs dues and the right to have their own weights and measures and sea vessels. Witnesses: Stephen the butler; John the chamberlain; Imbert the constable.
November. Damietta. Louis IX’s charter establishing the church of Damietta. The king records the arrival of the army on the shore on 5 June 1249 and the flight of the Muslim army from Damietta. What is now the church dedicated to St Mary has been purified and priest have been appointed to serve... more
sources: Richard, ‘La fondations’, pp. 51-54. English translation in Jackson, Seventh Crusade, pp. 95-97.