year: 1245
text: [November 17]. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the archpriest of the Selci Church in the diocese of Sabina, ordering him to concede the allegedly vacant church of San Marziano da Brazzano in the diocese of Sutri, normally governed by a monk who is dubbed ‘abbot’, to the young cleric Pandolfo, nephew of the bishop-elect of Bethlehem G[ottifredo dei Prefetti].
[November 17]. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV writes to the archpriest of the Selci Church in the diocese of Sabina, ordering him to concede the allegedly vacant church of San Marziano da Brazzano in the diocese of Sutri, normally governed by a monk who is dubbed ‘abbot’, to the young cleric Pandolfo,... more
sources: ASV, Reg. Vat. 21, f. 250v, no. 259; Innocent IV, Les registres, 1:244, no. 1618
year: 1245
text: November 24. Oseney Abbey (or Osney). Galerandus Terrae Sanctae Berytensis episcopus on a mission to England seeking aid for the Holy Land issues an indulgence in favour of all the abbey’s benefactors.
November 24. Oseney Abbey (or Osney). Galerandus Terrae Sanctae Berytensis episcopus on a mission to England seeking aid for the Holy Land issues an indulgence in favour of all the abbey’s benefactors.
sources: Riant, ‘Indulgences octroyées par Galérand, évêque de Béryte, ambassadeur de Terre Sainte en Angleterre’, pp. 404-5; RRH 1137
year: 1245
text: November 24. Baalbek. Sultan [as-Salih Isma'il] writes to Pope [Innocent IV], addressing him as celestial, holy, lordly, apostolic, venerable, honourable, dominating over the necks of the Franks, the leader of those harnessed to the Christian law, and enlivener of the Christian sect – may God prolong and protect his life – and referring to himself as the servant of God, the confessor of His grace, Ysmael, son of Ebibecre son of Iob. After giving the basics of Islam, the sultan relates that, when the pope's letter arrived he found that it contained things that the present letter does as well, directed toward things that are sufficiently common to the human race and for ruling the human species, and no wonder, given their source. The sultan also has the care for the protection of those who are with him, namely the Saracen flock, and for the defence of those who are in his special care, namely the Macometica people. So his mind is focused wholly on what is expedient for public peace and prosperity. Friars Preacher (Dominicans) came to the sultan, and he understood that they were capable, diligent, and concerned about the judgments of their law. They told the sultan what they were assigned to tell, and the sultan gave them his full attention and absorbed what they said. They returned with a message from the sultan for the pope that they are capable of repeating and explaining, after they had conversed directly with the sultan. The sultan relates all of this to the pope, asking God's assistance for their present and future prosperity, if it pleases Him.
November 24. Baalbek. Sultan [as-Salih Isma'il] writes to Pope [Innocent IV], addressing him as celestial, holy, lordly, apostolic, venerable, honourable, dominating over the necks of the Franks, the leader of those harnessed to the Christian law, and enlivener of the Christian sect – may God... more
sources: Lupprian, pp. 155-57, no. 23; RRH 1138
year: 1245
text: December 10. Homs. [al-Manṣūr Ibrāhīm] gives his safe conduct to all Friars Preacher (Dominicans) coming to, staying in, and returning from Camela, as in the previous letter.
December 10. Homs. [al-Manṣūr Ibrāhīm] gives his safe conduct to all Friars Preacher (Dominicans) coming to, staying in, and returning from Camela, as in the previous letter.
sources: Lupprian, pp. 168-69, no. 25a
year: 1245
text: December 30. Homs. [al-Manṣūr Ibrāhīm], in the name of Sultan [as-Ṣāliḥ Najm ad-Dīn Ayyūb] writes to Pope [Innocent IV], addressing him as holy, illustrious, pure, excellent, disdaining temporal things, worshipper of God, venerable, sublime, knowing, great, the head of the Christian sect and the leader of the sons of baptism, sitting on the seat of Symon, having knowledge of holy theology, and the pope of Roma – may God perpetuate his prosperity – and referring to himself as Salehinus. I. on the part of Sultan Saleh of Egypt (Egyptius), victorious king, protector of the world and the law, surnamed Ubutaher, which means 'father of the pure one', Habraam by name, son of the defender of the king, surnamed Leon of the law, Serlxouh by name, of the son of Machometus, helder emir elmumemin, that is emperor of the faithful, who is the caliph. The author first proposes at great length the basics of Islam, including the places of Moses (Moysen) and Jesus (Ihesus) in it. Then he relates that the pope's letter arrived, full of theological understanding and knowledge. He read and understood what it contained, finding it full of proof for the point on matters that only the wisest can comprehend. But the author does know the intent of the letter in order to respond point-by-point. If it is to certify the truth and its demonstration and manifestation so that the truth is accepted and held by way of proof, not according to the custom of the tradition of men, then the pope should know that for this is it necessary to come together and inspect the truth with objections, responses, and discussions. If he is content with pithy letters and nuncios for this business, he will find the same from their side. For now he has decided not to write anything about this until he receives another letter from the pope, and he will not do anything until he knows the pope's purpose and will. He shall await his letter on this so that he can respond. Regarding the letter's statement that it is the pope's duty to care for his and others' salvation, for which purpose the pope is vigilant, this is praiseworthy, and the author must be eager to be freed from sin and arrive at sublime levels and acquire a dwelling-place with the angels next to God and God's prophets, the martyrs, and the just. But at the same time he would like to come together with the pope, if he could, and dispute and discuss face-to-face concerning the divine. But because this was impossible, he wanted to do this with the Friars Preacher (Dominicans) whom the pope had sent, but it was not completely safe for them to dispute concerning their law and the [Muslim] law in [Muslim] lands with wise [Muslims]. Obviously this was because of the obstacle of the Arabic language and monastic humility, and because they were not accustomed to disputing except in Latin or French. Signs of virtue shined in them, the marks of knowledge were apparent from their expressions, and traces of their religion and their contempt of the world as well as their praiseworthy manners were manifest in them. In their letter it was suggested that they wanted to proceed to the Mongols (Tartari) and that the author should help him fulfil their purpose and remove impediments. But for many reasons that he gave, he did not advise the friars to proceed to the Mongols (Tartari). Concerning what the letter said about the Mongols (Tartari), that they wish to destroy everything and have laid waste to lands and peoples and direct their fury to everyone indifferently, it did not describe the precise and whole truth, because this people is a sea of pestilence that floods so much that if the Antichrist himself saw part of the evils that they do his tears of compassion would flow. But with His immense grace and goodness flooding everywhere God has restored the Saracens, or rather all sects, through a certain sultan, who will put an end to the Mongols’ (Tartari's) depravity with his surgical swords against their iniquity. This is their lord sultan the greatest King Saeleh, the star of the king, the sultan of sultans, who is described at length. Everyone goes to him for protection, hoping that through his power the vile people will be destroyed. There are already signs of this, because after the [Mongols (Tartari)] entered Syria this year, the armies of the magnificent sultan drove back the armies of the Mongols (Tartari), sending them back whence they came, without reaching their goal, whereas when they entered this land the previous year they laid waste to it, even the land of Aleppo (Halapia). They are confident in God's generosity and mercy that next year, God willing, the army of the magnificent sultan will return to the dominion of the Saracens (Sarraceni) all that was taken away and expel the Mongols (Tartari) from the liberated lands that they occupied. But this year nuncios of the Mongols (Tartari) came to the sultan's door offering him servitude and peace, and he did not admit them or grant them permission to kiss his feet, out of defence for his law, for the [Mongols (Tartari)] had departed from the custom of kings and sultans by which one shows justice and clemency in lands subject to one's rule. The pope should be certain about what has been said about the sultan and the holy man should know that the sultan wishes above all the show kindness, and he has done more than what was said above. The holy man should know for certain that the Mongols (Tartari) are contemptible compared to the sultan and his army. Enumerating the sultan's virtues, the letter closes by saying that when the pope's letters arrive they bring joy and solace, so let him send them often.
December 30. Homs. [al-Manṣūr Ibrāhīm], in the name of Sultan [as-Ṣāliḥ Najm ad-Dīn Ayyūb] writes to Pope [Innocent IV], addressing him as holy, illustrious, pure, excellent, disdaining temporal things, worshipper of God, venerable, sublime, knowing, great, the head of the Christian sect and the... more
sources: Lupprian, pp. 158-65, no. 24; RRH 1139
year: 1245
text: December. Homs. [al-Manṣūr Ibrāhīm] writes to Pope [Innocent IV], relating that, regarding their souls and possessions, so that they arrive safe, he declares that he shall not accept any harm, damage, harassment, and anything contrary to their will done to the Christian monks and others working for the improvement of Christians and preaching. He himself shall not deny or disturb the concord that has been done between them and the Greeks (Greci). Anyone who wishes to come should come secure in the above.
December. Homs. [al-Manṣūr Ibrāhīm] writes to Pope [Innocent IV], relating that, regarding their souls and possessions, so that they arrive safe, he declares that he shall not accept any harm, damage, harassment, and anything contrary to their will done to the Christian monks and others working for... more
sources: Lupprian, pp. 166-67, no. 25; RRH 1139
year: 1245
text: December 1-31. Nicosia. With the agreement of his chapter, Eustorge de Montaigut (Eustorgius), archbishop of Nicosia makes a sealed grant to Andronicus, his brothers, Theodorus and Iohannes, and his sister Fugna, they being the children of the late Nicolaus Teupetomeno. He gives them and their heirs the houses their father and they built in the curia where was once the abbatia que vocatur Teupetomeno. They will pay the church of Nicosia in rent 1 rotula of wax each year on the Feast of the Transfiguration.
December 1-31. Nicosia. With the agreement of his chapter, Eustorge de Montaigut (Eustorgius), archbishop of Nicosia makes a sealed grant to Andronicus, his brothers, Theodorus and Iohannes, and his sister Fugna, they being the children of the late Nicolaus Teupetomeno. He gives them and their... more
sources: Coureas and Schabel, The Cartulary, p. 163, no. 58
year: 1246
text: January 4. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV authorizes the prior of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans to absolve the brothers of breaches of canon law, provided he is a priest.
January 4. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV authorizes the prior of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans to absolve the brothers of breaches of canon law, provided he is a priest.
sources: Innocent IV, Les registres 1:251, no. 1662. Calendar entry
year: 1246
text: January 5. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV confirms for the magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans his power to limit the desires of brothers to transfer to another Order.
January 5. Lyons. Pope Innocent IV confirms for the magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans his power to limit the desires of brothers to transfer to another Order.
sources: Innocent IV, Les registres 1:251, no. 1661. Calendar entry
year: 1246
text: February 8. Nicosia. In the palatium of Eustorge de Montaigut (Eustorgius), archbishop of Nicosia (archiepiscopus Nicosiensis). Together with his convent, Frater Georgius abbas Episcopie records under his seal and those of dominus Stephanus Famagustanus episcopus and dominus B. archdeacon of Nicosia (archidiaconus Nicosiensis) that among the other orders Rogerius Normandus miles made in his will he left the abbey of Bellapais [Episcopia] 600 Saracen besants and a cross made from the wood of the True Cross [de ligno Dominico], with gold inserted, on condition that the abbey established a chantry priest from among the monks or from among the secular priests at the abbey’s house at Paphos, or elsewhere, under the authority of the archbishop of Nicosia, to celebrate Mass perpetually for Robertus and for his wife domina Haelis. The abbot additionally records that he has received from Eustorge de Montaigut (Eustorgius), archbishop of Nicosia (archiepiscopus Nicosiensis), the 600 besants and the cross. They promise to fulfil the abbey’s obligations. Witnesses: Robertus cantor Nicosiensis; Robertus canonicus Nicosiensis; magister Guillelmus canonicus Nicosiensis: Poncardus miles, executor predicti testamenti; frater Brianus.
February 8. Nicosia. In the palatium of Eustorge de Montaigut (Eustorgius), archbishop of Nicosia (archiepiscopus Nicosiensis). Together with his convent, Frater Georgius abbas Episcopie records under his seal and those of dominus Stephanus Famagustanus episcopus and dominus B. archdeacon of... more
sources: Coureas and Schabel, The Cartulary, pp. 126-27, no. 37