year: 1244
initiator: Prior Hospitalis sancti Johannis
recipient: King of France
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
additional institution: Templars
text: Oct. - Nov. The prior Hospitalis sancti Johannis is sent with letters to the king of France, reporting that in battle on 17 October the magister and all the convent of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem except for 15 men, all the convent of the Knights Templar, all the convent of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans and all the knighthood in the Holy land, together with many armed Christians, Nassarus soldanus Turci and other sultans, were killed or captured by the Khorezmians and the army of the sultan of Egypt. Comes Willelmus and dompnus Philippus were captured.The patriarch and the constabularius escaped.
Oct. - Nov. The prior Hospitalis sancti Johannis is sent with letters to the king of France, reporting that in battle on 17 October the magister and all the convent of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem except for 15 men, all the convent of the Knights Templar, all the convent of the Hospital of... more
sources: Chronica de Mailros, p. 163
year: 1244
initiator: Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem
text: Beginning of Nov. Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem despatches a general letter describing the disasters that have befallen the Holy Land. He refers to the loss of Jerusalem and the catastrophe on the plain de Gadár [La Forbie], where the deaths include 312 fratres milites and 324 turropli of the Knights Templar, 325 fratres milites and 200 turropli of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, 400 brothers of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans - only 3 survived - all the milites leprosi of the leprosary of St Lazarus, the domnus Cayphas and all his people. Comes Gualterius de Zaphes was captured and all his men killed, as were 300 milites of the prince of Antioch and 300 milites of the king of Cyprus. Also slain were the archbishop of Tyre and all his men and the bishop of Ramla. 16000 Franks and as many others were lost. The [allied] Muslim army, numbering more than 25000 Saraceni, led by the sultans of Damascus and Homs [Camele], a great Saracenus called Nas, and the forces of Aleppo, betrayed the Christians.
Beginning of Nov. Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem despatches a general letter describing the disasters that have befallen the Holy Land. He refers to the loss of Jerusalem and the catastrophe on the plain de Gadár [La Forbie], where the deaths include 312 fratres milites and 324 turropli of the... more
sources: Salimbene de Adam, p. 177 (RRH no. 1124)
year: 1244
initiator: Guillelmus de Castro novo, master of the Hospital
recipient: Dominus M. de Merlai
text: Beginning of Nov. Frater G. de Novo Castro sanctae domus Jerusalem magister humilis et pauperum Christi custos informs dominus M. de Merlai of events in the Holy Land. He has already written to him about his dismay at the truce with the sultan of Damascus and Seisser sultan of Kerak, involving the return of most of the land west of the Jordan in return for an armed alliance against the sultan of Egypt. The allied forces mustered at Gaza. Meanwhile the patriarch of Jerusalem, who had just returned from the West, wished to visit Jerusalem and G. was to go with him. They were in Jerusalem when the land was invaded by the Khorezmians, who had been called in by the sultan of Egypt. They agreed to evacuate the city and lead the inhabitants to Jaffa. Misled into thinking that the city was secured, the people returned there, only to be besieged by the Khorezmians. 7000 men, women and young persons, who tried to flee, were massacred or enslaved. The Khorezmians killed those left in the city, including the monks, the old, and the debilitated, who had sought refuge on the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Referring to the bravery of the Christians, G. goes on to describe briefly the battle on 17 October [La Forbie], during which the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers of St John, summoned with others by the patriarch, fought the Khorezmians and Egyptians. Killed were the magister militiae Templi, the magister Hospitalis, the magistri of other Orders, together with their convents. Dominus Walterus comes de Bresna was captured and dominus Philippus de Muntforti was slain. Only 18 Knights Templar and 16 Hospitallers of St John escaped.
Beginning of Nov. Frater G. de Novo Castro sanctae domus Jerusalem magister humilis et pauperum Christi custos informs dominus M. de Merlai of events in the Holy Land. He has already written to him about his dismay at the truce with the sultan of Damascus and Seisser sultan of Kerak, involving the... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 4:307-11 (RRH no. 1125)
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)
year: 1244
initiator: Emperor Frederick II
text: Nov. 1-30? In a general letter addressed to all princes, the emperor Frederick II reports that he has received letters brought by frater S., an emissary of Patriarch Albert of Antioch, describing the switching of alliances from Egypt to the sultans of Damascus and Kerak, the invasion of the Khorezmians, the mustering of the Christian army on the borders of Egypt at Gaza, the arrival of the patriarch of Jerusalem, the evacuation of the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem under the magistri of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans, the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar, their return, the Khorezmian assault on the city and the massacre of the inhabitants, including those who had sought refuge in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. He blames this turn of events on the abandonment of the policy of R. comes Cornubie who, together with the magistri of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and St Mary of the Germans, was acting on behalf of King Conrad.
Nov. 1-30? In a general letter addressed to all princes, the emperor Frederick II reports that he has received letters brought by frater S., an emissary of Patriarch Albert of Antioch, describing the switching of alliances from Egypt to the sultans of Damascus and Kerak, the invasion of the... more
sources: Huillard-Bréholles 6/1:236-40 (RRH no. 1126)
year: 1244
initiator: Pope Innocent IV
recipient: Magister and brothers of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: [Dec. 23. Lyon. Writing to the magister and brothers, Pope Innocent IV protects the role of alms-collectors for the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
[Dec. 23. Lyon. Writing to the magister and brothers, Pope Innocent IV protects the role of alms-collectors for the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
sources: Innocent IV, Les Registres 1:141-2, no. 844. Calendar entry].
year: 1244
initiator: Henry, rex Cipri
recipient: Emperor Frederick II
text: End of the year. King Henry of Cyprus writes to the emperor Frederick, begging for assistance for the Holy Land and commending his emissary, A.
End of the year. King Henry of Cyprus writes to the emperor Frederick, begging for assistance for the Holy Land and commending his emissary, A.
sources: Huillard-Bréholles 6/2:914-915 (RRH no. 1128)
year: 1244
initiator: Peregrinus abbas Sancte Marie de Latina
recipient: Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem
institution: Saint Mary Latin
text: c.1244. In the presence of dominus Arnaldus Liddensis episcopus, the patriarch’s vicarius, Peregrinus abbas Sancte Marie de Latina makes his profession of obedience to Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, including the promise of an annual ad limina visitation to the church of Jerusalem personally or by means of an emissary.
c.1244. In the presence of dominus Arnaldus Liddensis episcopus, the patriarch’s vicarius, Peregrinus abbas Sancte Marie de Latina makes his profession of obedience to Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, including the promise of an annual ad limina visitation to the church of Jerusalem personally or by... more
sources: Bresc-Bautier, Cart St-Sépulcre, pp. 342-3, no. 185 (RRH no. 1129)
year: 1245
text: 2477A. January 3. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the bishop and chapter of Tripoli, relating that he granted his relative Niccolò [Lercari], papal chamberlain and provost of the church of Genoa, the chantry, prebend, houses and everything else pertaining to them, including what are called the minuta (extrinseca et intrinseca ac alia que minuta dicuntur), that the bishop-elect of Bethlehem Gottifredo dei Prefetti possessed previously in their church, a decision motivated by Niccolò’s merits, and the pope invested Niccolò with these things using the papal ring. The bishop and chapter of Tripoli are expected to receive kindly Niccolò or the agent who will represent him, notwithstanding various things to the contrary, for example papal orders prohibiting the investiture of an absent cleric. Otherwise the patriarch of Jerusalem (Robert de Nantes) will carry out the papal mandate, compelling those who contradict.
2477A. January 3. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the bishop and chapter of Tripoli, relating that he granted his relative Niccolò [Lercari], papal chamberlain and provost of the church of Genoa, the chantry, prebend, houses and everything else pertaining to them, including what are called the... more
sources: Innocent IV, Les registres, 1:140-41, no. 837
year: 1245
text: January 9. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the master and brothers Templar of Jerusalem, relating that he was told on their behalf that when they send their brothers to collect alms and other necessities with a papal letter granting them this right, several archpriests, deans ‘of Christianity’ and other rectors, priests and chaplains of churches refuse to abide, on the pretext that the letter is addressed to archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, deans, archdeacons and other prelates of churches. The pope declares that in this case the aforesaid persons must be understood under the general term ‘and other prelates of churches’.
January 9. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the master and brothers Templar of Jerusalem, relating that he was told on their behalf that when they send their brothers to collect alms and other necessities with a papal letter granting them this right, several archpriests, deans ‘of Christianity’... more
sources: ASV, Reg. Vat. 21, f. 130v, no. 108; Innocent IV, Les registres, 1:144, no. 858