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)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
738
year: 1164
initiator: Patriarch Aimery of Antioch
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Late Aug. Patriarch Aimery of Antioch writes to King Louis VII of France. He describes the misfortunes of the Latin East and appeals to the king to come to its assistance. Nur ad-Din, who now rules Damascus, invaded Egypt with a great army of Turci. The king of Egypt [Aegyptus], who is called the sultan of Cairo [Soldanus Babyloniae], appealed to King Amalric for assistance, offering annual tribute and the liberation of captives. Committing his kingdom to the care of his relation Prince Bohemond of Antioch and to the patriarch of Antioch, Amalric led a large army to Egypt and made a truce with the sultan, involving the payment of annual tribute [by the sultan] and the release from Egypt of Christians held in captivity. Ignoring offers of truce, Nur ad-Din besieged the castle of Harenc. The defenders - around 7000 persons, fighters, women and children - appealed for help. Bohemond left Antioch on 10 August to relieve Harenc. In the battle that ensued Prince Bohemond, the count of Tripoli, a Graecus called Calamannus Dux Mamistiensis, Hugo de Lesiniaco, and brothers of the Temple and the Hospital, who had come from Tripoli with the count, were captured. Others were killed or captured. Harenc fell to the Turci, although women, children and the wounded were allowed to withdraw to Antioch. The countryside is now open to the enemy. The clergy have taken over the defence of the city of Antioch.
Late Aug. Patriarch Aimery of Antioch writes to King Louis VII of France. He describes the misfortunes of the Latin East and appeals to the king to come to its assistance. Nur ad-Din, who now rules Damascus, invaded Egypt with a great army of Turci. The king of Egypt [Aegyptus], who is called the... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:61-62, no. 196 (RRH no. 405)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
740
year: 1164
initiator: Bertrandus de Blancfort, master of the Temple
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Templars
text: Nov. 1-30. B. de Blancafort pauperis militiae Templi minister humilis writes to King Louis VII of France. Louis already knows that King Amalric made war in Egypt, taking with him the relic of the True Cross. Nur ad-Din had sent Syraco [Shirkuh] with a great army to the kingdom of Cairo [regnum Babyloniorum] with the intention of uniting Old Cairo [Babylon] and Damascus. Syraco [the above-named Turcus], who had occupied the strong city of Berbesium [Bilbais] and had garrisoned it with 30000 warriors, was forced to withdraw. But on returning to the Holy Land the Christians discovered that the city of Paneas, one of the strongest in the kingdom of Jerusalem, had been betrayed and occupied by the Turci and that Antioch had suffered the defeat of its army and is in danger of falling to Graeci or Turci. King Amalric cannot defend Antioch, Tripoli, Jerusalem and Cairo [Babylon] at the same time, whereas Nur ad-Din has at his disposal enough forces to attack all of them. Frater Heustercanis, Louis’s friend, is sick and cannot travel. B. is sending frater Walterus in his place to deliver his messages.
Nov. 1-30. B. de Blancafort pauperis militiae Templi minister humilis writes to King Louis VII of France. Louis already knows that King Amalric made war in Egypt, taking with him the relic of the True Cross. Nur ad-Din had sent Syraco [Shirkuh] with a great army to the kingdom of Cairo [regnum... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:79-80, no. 244 (RRH no. 407)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
741
year: 1164
initiator: Bertrandus de Blancfort, master of the Temple
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Templars
text: Nov. 1-30. Bertrannus militiae Templi minister humilis writes to King Louis VII of France, who has heard how King Amalric, following general advice, went to Egypt [regnum Babiloniae], with the relic of the True Cross, after Nur ad-Din had invaded it. Amalric succeeded, but he returned on hearing of the disasters in Antioch. Nur ad-Din had wanted to subject the kingdom of Cairo [Babilonicum regnum] to his lordship and hinder any invasion by the Christians. Antioch and Jerusalem are in such great difficulties they cannot be described in writing. Bertrannus is, therefore, sending frater Galterius to Louis, to whom everyone is looking for assistance.
Nov. 1-30. Bertrannus militiae Templi minister humilis writes to King Louis VII of France, who has heard how King Amalric, following general advice, went to Egypt [regnum Babiloniae], with the relic of the True Cross, after Nur ad-Din had invaded it. Amalric succeeded, but he returned on hearing of... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:80-81, no. 245 (RRH no. 406)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
718
year: 1164
initiator: King Amalric
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Early in year. Amalric, Dei gratia Hierosolymorum rex, writes to King Louis VII of France. The archbishop of Mamistra [archiepiscopus Mamistranus] is travelling to France. The Latin East fears the arrival of the [Byzantine] emperor. Antioch is so weak that without assistance it will fall to either the Turci or the Graeci. Louis is asked to come out to the East in advance of the emperor.
Early in year. Amalric, Dei gratia Hierosolymorum rex, writes to King Louis VII of France. The archbishop of Mamistra [archiepiscopus Mamistranus] is travelling to France. The Latin East fears the arrival of the [Byzantine] emperor. Antioch is so weak that without assistance it will fall to either... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:39-40, no. 126 (RRH no. 394)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
743
year: 1165
initiator: King Amalric
recipient: King Louis VII of France
text: Jan. 14. Antioch. A[malric], per Dei gratiam Hierosolymorum Rex, informs King Louis VII of France that while he was invading Egypt and, strengthened by the relic of the True Cross, was expelling Syracuinus [Shirkuh] from the country, the count of Tripoli and the prince of Antioch, who with a large army had marched to free the castellum of Harenc, near Antioch, which Nur ad-Din was besieging, were captured. They had overreached themselves by assaulting the enemy in a strong position and their troops were either taken or killed. And Panudium, which is popularly called Belinas, was betrayed to Nur ad-Din. Amalric begs for assistance.
Jan. 14. Antioch. A[malric], per Dei gratiam Hierosolymorum Rex, informs King Louis VII of France that while he was invading Egypt and, strengthened by the relic of the True Cross, was expelling Syracuinus [Shirkuh] from the country, the count of Tripoli and the prince of Antioch, who with a large... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:79, no. 243 (RRH no. 411)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
782
year: 1167
initiator: Girbertus [of Assailly], master of the Hospital
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: (c. 1167). Gibertus Christi pauperum servus et hospitalis Hierusalem magister writes to King Louis VII of France, on whom pilgrims to Jerusalem rely for the protection of their goods and possessions. He asks for justice for Guillelmus de Donperre, who is staying in Jerusalem but whose land [in France] has been put to the torch by certain malefactors.
(c. 1167). Gibertus Christi pauperum servus et hospitalis Hierusalem magister writes to King Louis VII of France, on whom pilgrims to Jerusalem rely for the protection of their goods and possessions. He asks for justice for Guillelmus de Donperre, who is staying in Jerusalem but whose land [in... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:145, no. 438 (RRH no. 436)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
783
year: 1167
initiator: Bertrandus de Blancfort, master of the Temple
recipient: King Louis VII of France
institution: Templars
text: (c. 1167). B. domus Templi magister, together with his convent, writes to King Louis VII of France. While Guillelmus de Deoper was on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, some of his neighbours invaded and devastated his land. He asks for justice, fearing that otherwise many who would otherwise travel to the East would fear to do so, to the detriment of the church in the East.
(c. 1167). B. domus Templi magister, together with his convent, writes to King Louis VII of France. While Guillelmus de Deoper was on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, some of his neighbours invaded and devastated his land. He asks for justice, fearing that otherwise many who would otherwise travel to... more
sources: Bouquet, Recueil 16:145, no. 439 (RRH no. 437)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
787
year: 1168
initiator: Pope Alexander III
recipient: Petrus prior and the canons of the Holy Sepulchre
institution: Holy Sepulchre
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Feb. 15. Benevento. Pope Alexander III writes to P. prior sancti Sepulcri and the canons of the Holy Sepulchre. He has received P. and G. their brothers. P. will be returning to explain orally what the pope will have written to others. Alexander has particularly ordered the Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem not to refuse to pay tithes belonging to the Holy Sepulchre on lands in the diocese of Jerusalem they do not cultivate themselves or cultivate at their expense. They should also pay tithes on lands they do cultivate according to the terms agreed with the Holy Sepulchre. The Hospitallers are forbidden to build a new church in Jaffa without the consent of the patriarch and the canons of the Holy Sepulchre, especially as they already have a church there. Nor should they ignore any interdict that might be laid on the city of Jaffa.
Feb. 15. Benevento. Pope Alexander III writes to P. prior sancti Sepulcri and the canons of the Holy Sepulchre. He has received P. and G. their brothers. P. will be returning to explain orally what the pope will have written to others. Alexander has particularly ordered the Hospitallers of St John... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 249-50, no. 94 (RRH no. 440)