CHAP. I.

JAcob having just before his death, called all his Twelve Sons together, to bless them, and to tell them what should happen both to them and to their Chil­dren in succeeding Ages, he preferred Judah (altho' not the Eldest, but the Fourth Son) before the rest of his Brethren, and advan­ced him to the Throne, saying, Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise; thy hand shall be in the neck of thy enemies, and thy Fa­thers children shall bow before thee. Judah is a Lions whelp: from the prey my son thou art gone up. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Law-giver from between his feet until Shi­loh [Page 2] come (meaning Christ the Saviour of the World) to whom the gathering of the people shall be.

And after the return of the Israelites out of Egypt, and the destroying the Canaanites and other Nations who inhabited Palestine, a larger and fairer proportion thereof was alotted for the inheritance of this Royal Tribe than any of their Brethren enjoyed; in which Patrimony there were several large fenced Cities, the chief whereof was Hebron, and great numbers of pleasant and fruitful Villages.

But altho' Judah had received the promise of the Kingly Dignity, yet he was not till many years after the return out of Egypt invested with it, but the Government was laid on the shoulders sometimes of one man and sometimes of another, who were either by the special direction of Heaven, or the favour of the People, indifferently chosen out of any Tribe. And when the Israelites, grown weary of the Judges rule, requested a King, and God commanded Samuel to esta­blish a Monarchical Government among them, as tho' Jacob had been mistaken in his mea­sures or the Promise to Judah, had been quite forgotten, that Tribe is neglected, and a King chosen out of the Off-spring of Benja­men the youngest Son of Jacob.

But Saal proving disobedient and rebel­lious against the Command of the Great and [Page 3]Supream Monarch of Heaven and Earth, by whom alone King Reign, the Royal Dignity was rent both from him and his Tribe, and according to the Prediction of the Patriarch, given to David, the youngest Son of Jesse the Bethlehemite of the Tribe of Judah, out of whose Loyns, according to the flesh, our Saviour came.

When he was first advanced to the Throne, he only reigned over the Tribe of Judah, and made choice of Hebron as his Royal Seat. But being afterwards by the unanimous con­sent of all the Tribes, chosen to be King of Israel, he took the City of Jerusalem, which is the Subject of this History from the Jebu­sites, and made it the Royal Seat of the Kings of Isreal, whereupon it was preferred by the great Jehovah, before all the Cities of the Earth, to be the place of his own habitation, dwelling as were in a most immediate man­ner in the Temple of Jerusalem, which was afterward built by King Solomon, and com­manding all the Tribes of Israel to repair thither to do him homage and adoration: And says of it himself, That he loved the gates of Sion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Whereby it became a lively Type both of the Gospel Church and the state of the Re­deemed in the everlasting injoyment of Heaven, which is frequently in Sacred Writ called by the name of the New Jerusalem. For which reason, as well as its being the place [Page 4]of the Nativity and Death of our Saviour, it hath acquired the Name of Holy.

But altho' Jerusalem and the Land of Ju­dea was thus dignified by the Almighty, yet the ungrateful Jews were perpetually multi­plying Rebellions against him, whereby he was provoked to scurge them with the Rod of the Gentels, and give them up to the spoil and cruelty of their Enemies. So that it was twice plundered by the Egyptians, once in the Reign of Rehoboam, and a second time upon the death of Josiah: once by the Assy­rians, in the Reign of Manassch: three times by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon; first, in the Reign of Jehoiakim; secondly, in the Reign of Jehoiachin; and thirdly, in the Reign of Zedekiah; carrying all those three Kings, and all the Inhabitants of the Land, Captive into Babylon, together with all the Treasure and Riches of the Kingdom, and spoiling the City of Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord; so that it lay wast for 70 years: At the end whereof, according to the Pro­phecy of the Prophet Jeremiah, they were freed from their Captivity, by Cyrus, King of Persia. When returning home, they re­built the City and the Temple, and by de­grees became as formidable to their Ene­mies as ever they had been before, till by their increasing wickedness they pulled down upon themselves the Vengeance of Heaven, to their utter and final ruin.

The People of Judea, and the Inha­bitants of Jerusalem, having filled up the [...]easure of their sins by putting to death [...]he Lord of Life, and murthering him who came to save them from everlasting [...]isery, were presently after swallowed up [...]y an universal and irrecoverable [...]uine, and rooted out from being [...]ny longer a Nation, by the victorious Arms of the conquering Romans, who [...]ackt the City of Jerusalem, destroyed [...]he Temple, and carried away the Inha­ [...]itants captive, according to the unerring [...]rediction of our blessed Saviour. But a­ [...]out sixty years after this Destruction by [...]itus, Adrian the Emperour rebuilt the City, [...]hanging the situation of it somewhat more Westward, and calling it by the name [...]f Aelia. And to shew his hatred to the [...]weet and adorable name of Christ, and [...]espite against the Professors of Christi­ [...]nity, he erected a Temple over our Sa­ [...]iours Sepulcher, wherein he placed the [...]mages of Jupiter and Venus. And, that [...]e might inrage the Jews likewise, he [...]aused Swine to be engraven over the [...]ates of the City, which they accounting [...]o be a great profanation of their Land, [...]rake out into open Rebellion, but were [...]asily overcome and subdued by the Em­ [...]erour, who to prevent the like Attempt or the future, caused them all to be tran­sported [Page 6]into Spain, and left the who [...] Country waste and forlorn, which part [...] with its Inhabitants and fruitfulness t [...] ­gether; those delicious streams of Mi [...] and Honey wherewith it was wont [...] flow, being now wholly exhausted, dri [...] up, and the Soil become altogeth [...] barren and unfruitful. The wretch [...] Jews being thus transported into Spa [...] were from thence scattered into all pa [...] of the World; so that there is scarce a [...] Nation under Heaven where some of the [...] are not to be found at this day.

After this Pagan Worship flourishe [...] in Jury, and the Professors of Christian [...] were inhumanely and barbarously u [...] by the Roman Emperours under the f [...] Ten Persecutions, until at last God out compassion to their deplorable mise [...] raised up Constantine the Great, a Br [...] ­tain born, as most Historians affir [...] whose healing hand quickly stanch that Issue of Blod wherewith the Chur [...] of Christ had been so long afflicted, a [...] blessed her Borders with Peace a [...] Tranquillity.

Whereupon the devout Helen, w [...] was Mother to Constantine, and as mu [...] fam'd among the Christians for her Pie [...] as the Ancient Helen was among the P [...] ­gans for her Beauty. Notwithstanding [Page 7] [...]he greatness of her Age, being about Eighty years old, travelled to Jerusalem; [...]nd having first purged Mount Calvary [...]nd Bethlehem from Idolatry, built in [...]he places of Christs death and burial, [...]nd elsewhere in Palestine, divers very [...]ately and magnificent Churches, so that Christianity flourished through all Pa­ [...]stine, being well provided of able Bi­ [...]ops and Preachers, and they indued with very liberal Maintenance.

But Constantine being succeeded by [...]ulian, who shamefully apostatized from [...]he Christian Religion, and turned again [...] the Pagan Idolatry, the Sun of the [...]ospel was for a while eclipsed: For in [...]ope to prove Christs Prediction false, [...]e gave the Jews leave to rebuild their Temple, who thereupon flockt together [...] great numbers, with Spades and Mat­ocks of Silver, to clear the Foundation, [...]nd were so desirous of accomplishing [...]e work, that the Women carried way the Rubbish in their Aprons, and ontributed all their Jewels to advance [...]e great design. But a sudden and ama­ [...]ng Tempest, which carried away their [...]ools and Materials for Building, and [...]ith Balls of Fire scorched the for­ [...]ardest, and most adventurous of [...]he Builders, made them desist, and [Page 8]give over the Enterprize. Yet the Christians afterwards in the place where the Temple stood built a stately Church for the Worship of Christ, which remain­ed a long time in the Christians hands, and was the Ancient Seat of the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, but is now in the possession of the Turks, and the very entring into it prohibited to Christians upon pain of forfeiting their Lives, or renouncing their Religion.

CHAP. II.

THE next remarkable Accident that happened in the Holy Land was under Phocas the Emperour, who having murdered Mauritius, and usurped the Imperial Dignity, abandoned himself wholly to ease and pleasure, whereby he betrayed the Empire to Forreig [...] Foes, and invited Chosrees the Persian to invade his Territories, who with a grea [...] Army subdued Syria and Jerusalem, and carried away many Thousand Christians many of whom he sold to their Ancient Enemies the Jews. And to grace his [Page 9]Conquest the more, he carried the Cross away with him. But Heraclius who suc­ceeded Phocas, having gotten an Army together, passed into Persia, and gave him an absolute overthrow, and in his return took Jerusalem in his way, and restored the Cross (which was then ac­counted as a most precious Jewel) to the Temple of the Sepulchre, and appointed the fourteenth day of September to be the Feast of the exaltation of the Cross.

But wickedness and impiety, abound­ing in and among the Inhabitants of those Countries, and many damnable Here­sies being every where embraced, God hastened to pour forth his threatned Judgments upon those Eastern Churches. For the Saracens under the Command of Haumer Prince of Arabia, possessed them­selves of all Syria and Jerusalem, so that those who would not be reduced to or­der by Christian Councils, were subdued by the Pagan Sword.

But all things under the Sun being subject to Changes and Mutations, this new Erected Empire of the Saracens, though strong and powerful, was of no very long continuance but was forced to make its Exit and give way to the rise of one far more memorable, both for strength and continuance, viz. That of [Page 10]the Turks, whereby the Christians in Pa­lestine changed their Masters, though not their condition.

Those powerful and spreading people which have stretched their Dominion to so vast an extent, and proved so formi­dable to Europe, are no less wonderful for the obscurity of their Original then for the increase of their vast Dominion; whence they came when first they ap­peared to the World is so difficult to de­termine, that Authors only agree in dis­agreeing about it. But most probably it was out of Scythia now called Tartaria, an hungry and barren Country.

The first place whereon they setled at their first appearance, was Turcomania, a Northern part of Armenia, from whence they passed into Persia, being called thi­ther by Mahomet Sultan of the Saracens, to assist him against his Enemies, whom they soon vanquished. But having observ­ed their ow [...] strength, the S [...]racens Cowar­dize, and the pleasant situation of Persia, they set up for themselves, and under Tangrolipix their first King, overthrow Sultan Mahomet, & made themselves Ma­sters of all that large Dominion. But that which is yet much stranger, than either their Original or increase, is, That after they had conquered the Saracens, by their [Page 11]valour, they should notwithstanding vo­luntarily subject themselves to their senseless superstition, and imbrace the Religion of Mahomet. As if his not being able to defend his former Proselytes from the slaughter of their Swords, was an argu­ment that they also ought to put them­selves under his Protection; whereas it was ever the custom of Conquerours to bring their Religion to the places which they subdued, and not take it thence.

The next great step the Turks took was into Babylon, the Caliph whereof they easily overcame and added his Dominion to their former Conquest. And shortly after under Cutlu-Moses their Second King they wan Mesopota [...]a, the greatest part of Syria, and the City of Jerusalem; which spreading of the Turks over most part of the Eastern world is generally believed to be the letting loose of the four Angels, mentioned in the Revelations, which are there said to be bound in the River Euphrates, and reserved for an Hour, and a Day, a Month, and a Year, for to slay the Third part of men; their strength and fierceness is there like­wise described, the former by the num­ber of their Horsemen which are said to be Two hundred thousand. The latter by the Breast Plates of Fire, and Jacinct, [Page 12]and Brimstone, wherewith they are sai [...] to be Armed, and the terribleness of thei [...] Horses, whose Heads are there describe to be like the Heads of Lions, and Fire and Smoke, and Brimstone, are said t [...] issue out of their Mouths; but it is t [...] be hoped that God hath now almost don [...] his work with them, and will shortly bur [...] that Rod wherewith he hath been so lon [...] Scourging the Christian World, and mak [...] their downfal to be as sudden and remar­kable as their first appearance and increase was terrible to the World.

CHAP. III.

A Certain Hermite, born at Amiens in France, whose name was Peter, (a per­son of a contemptible aspect, & one whose silly looks carried in them a despair of any real worth or excellency to be found in him) notwithstanding which (as the richest Mines commonly lye under th [...] basest and barrennest ground) he had [...] good Wit, a quick Apprehension, an elo­quent Tongue, and was seemingly very religious, (which got him the genera [...] estimation of all those with whom he conversed) undertook a Pilgrimage to [Page 13]

Jerusalem, where getting acquainted with Simon the Patriarch, they often discours­ed together of the miseries the Christians endured under the Turks, what hopes there might be of relief, and how the [Page 14]matter might be secretly contrived, that the Princes of Europe might come and rescue those Sacred Places out of the Pa­gans possession, and thereby free them from their deplorable Slavery. Where­upon Peter readily undertook the whole business, and departed immediately to Rome, to consult with Pope Ʋrbane the Second about the advancing of so pious a design; pretending likewise that some day before his departure from Jerusalem he saw a Vision wherein Christ himself appeared to him, and appointed him to be his Legate, and gave him a Commis­sion to negotiate that Holy and Christian Cause.

The Pope, who is suspected to be the first Contriver of the business, and to have sent the Hermite to Jerusalem as his Emissary, to consult the matter with the Patriarch, and thereby render him­self the more capable of fathering a Plot of his own begetting, joy­fully embraced the Project, and with all imaginable zeal endeavoured to engage all the Princes of Europe in that Holy Cause, in order whereunto he immedi­ately called a Council at Clermont i [...] France, where, to a great Assembly o [...] Princes and Prelates, he made a long Oration, wherein he greatly bemoane [...] [Page 15]the miseries of the Christians in Asia, and the devastation of those holy places in Jerusalem, and the parts adjacent, which were once the Joy of the whole Earth; but were now become the general grief of all the Professors of Christianity, tel­ling that the Chappel of Christs Concep­tion at Nazareth, his Birth at Bethlehem, his Burial on Mount Calvary, and his Ascension on Mount Olivet, which were once the Fountains of Piety, were now become the sinks of all profaneness: and that it was therefore highly necessary for them to take Arms against those In­fidels, and endeavour to break their Bonds asunder, and cast away their Cords far from them; for if they would not now lend their helping hand to quench their Neighbours Houses, they might speedily expect the burning of their own; and that those barbarous Nations would shortly over-run all Europe. And the bet­ter to whet their Courage, he promised a full remission of all their sins and Pe­nance here, and the enjoyment of Hea­ven hereafter, to all those who would undertake this Voyage. Now therefore­said he, Gird your Swords to your Thighs, O ye Princes and Potentates of Europe; It is our parts to pray, yours to fight ours with Moses to lift up our unwearied [Page 16]hands to Heaven, and yours to stretch forth the Sword against those Children of Amalck. Amen.

It is almost incredible to believe with what a wonderful cheerfulness this motion, meeting with an active and zealous World, was generally entertained: The whole Assembly crying out aloud, God willeth it, God willeth it. Then many of them wore a Cross of Red Cloth upon their shoulders as a badge of their Devotion. And that the Virgin Mary might lend her favorable assistance to their warlike undertakings, her Office was instituted, and certain Prayers were appointed therein to be made to her at Canonical hours.

CHAP. IV.

ALL things being now resolved on, and every one striving to contribute some way or other to the carrying on this grand Design, the Turks, who had no [...] for a long time enjoyed the quiet possession of Palestine, and by taking ad­vantage of the great stupidity of the Grecian Emperours, who abandoned themselves to case and pleasure, had [Page 17]extended their Conquest to the Lesser Asia, were forced for a time to suspend the further inlarging of their Dominion, and employ themselves wholly in the de­fence of what they had already obtained; some of which was, notwithstanding their strenuous opposition, forcibly wrest­ed out of their hands by the Christian Warriours.

The beginning of this War was check­ed with some bad success, for Walter Sensaver a Nobleman, who had more valour then skill in [...] the feats of War, marched with a strange contrived and ill proportioned Army, wherein were se­veral Thousand Foot, and Eight Horse­men only. By which means they were soon after their setting out slain, and routed by the Bulgarians, he himself hardly escaping. And Peter the Hermite, having obtained the command of an Army, went somewhat further to meet his own ruin, for having after many difficulties, crossed the Bosphorus, & got in­to Asia, they found several Cities forsaken by their Turkish Inhabitants, which they imagined to be the effect of their fear, altho it really proceeded from their Poli­cy; and thereupon being more greedy of Gain then desirous of Honour, neg­lected to fortifie the places which they [Page 18]had taken, and fell to plundring and seeking after spoil, whereby they them­selves became an easie prey to their watchful and observing Enemies. Not had Hugh (who was surnamed the Great) Brother to the French King, any better success, being also overthrown by the Bulgarians, in his passage towards the Holy Land, and himself taken Prisoner one Gotescall [...]s likewise a Scandalo [...]s Priest, and Emmicho a certain Tyrannou [...] Prince, near the Rhine, led forth a rout of base and disorderly People, who wore in deed the Badg of the Cross, but served the Devil under Christs Livery, killing and pillaging the Poor Jews, and others as they went through Germany, which made Coloman King of Hungary, oppos [...] their passage through his Country, and put most of them to the Sword. Some believing those badbeginnings to have an [...] ill omen, abandoned their former Re [...] solutions, and returned home. But other [...] took little or no notice of them, look­ing upon them as necessary Physick, to purge the Christian Army, from the dreg [...] of base and ruder People.

CHAP. V.

NOtwithstanding the bad success of the first adventurers, many others addressed themselves to try their for­tunes in this Religious War, for God­frey Duke of Bovillon, having sold that Dukedom to the Bishop of Liege, and the Castles of Sartensy and Monsa to the Bishop of Verdune, raised a brave and well managed Army, wherewith he marched through Hungary to Constantino­ple, and so did Robert Duke of Normandy, Second Son to William the Conqueror, King of England, Reimond Earl of Tholouse, and divers more who though they set for­ward at several times, & marcht through different Countries, yet they all met together at Constantinople, which being then the seat of the Grecian Empire, was appointed for the place of their General Rendezvous. But although Alexias the Emperour pretended to be over-joyed at their arrival, yet he was inwardly grieved thereat, for being conscious to himself of his [Page 20]own guilt in deposing and cloistering up Nicephorus his Predecessor, and then usurping his Imperial Dignity, it was no pleasant sight for him to behold the Sea full of Ships, and the Shores covered over, and crouded with Souldiers, fancying to himself, that notwithstanding all their fair pretences of a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to wrest the holy-land out of the Pagans Possession, they only came to undermine him, and designed to termi­nate their Pilgrimage in his destruction. And that which is somewhat strange, he seems to have entailed his groundless jea­lousies, to all his Successors, none where of could ever heartily reconcile them­selves to this War, but suspected tha [...] those Western Christians made a false blow at Jerusalem, but intended it at Constantinople. However, notwithstand­ing his secret regret, yet finding that his Guests were powerful enough to com­mand their own welcome, he entertained them with a seeming complacence, and granted them passage through his Country upon Condition that whatsoever they won [...] Jerusalem only excepted, that belong­ed formerly to the Grecian Empire, should be restored to him, in lieu where­of he covenanted to furnish them with Shipping, Armour, and all other war­like [Page 21]Provisions; which he never per­formed, but contrary to his Solemn Ingage­ments endeavoured to retard their gene­rous Designs.

From hence they marched forward, and sate down before the City of Nice (formerly fam'd for the first General Council called by Constantine the Great against Arius the Heretick) with as glorious an Army, and as brave Com­manders as ever the Sun saw. The Pil­grims had a Lumbard for their Engineer, and the Neighbouring Woods afford them Materials for the making many warlike Instruments, wherewith they fan­cied they should soon make themselves Masters of the City But in regard it was strongly fortified both by Art & Nature, and garrisoned with a great number of well experienced and resolute Soldiers, they found it more difficult than they ex­pected. But at length the Grecian Fleet blocking up the Lake Ascanius, and there­by cutting off from the Besieged all hope of Relief, they were forc't to surrender upon condition that the Inhabitants Lives and Goods should be indempnified; whereat the Souldiers, who promised themselves the Plunder of the City, and were thereby frustrated of their hope, shewed no small discontent. Solymans [Page 22]Wife and young Children were made Prisoners, and the City according to the former Agreement with the Grecian Em­perour, was delivered to Tatinus the Ad­miral, on the behalf of Alexius his Master.

Having made themselves Masters o [...] this place, and thereby flushed themselve with Victory, they advance forward to the Vale of Dogorgan, where Solyman who had now gotten together a grea [...] Army, fell upon them suddenly like lightning, so that there followed a fierce and Bloody Battle, fought with much courage, and great variety of success o [...] both sides; Clouds of Arrows darkning the Sky were soon dissolved into Showe [...] of Blood. The Europian Pilgrims in this Battle grapled with many disadvantages; for their Enemies were three to one, and Valour it self may sometimes be beate [...] down by multitudes. The weather was extream hot, and the scorchnig Sun much annoyed those Northern People, whil [...] use had made the Pagans bodies proo [...] against the extremity of the heat. Thei [...] Horses likewise unaccustomed to the bar [...] barous sound of the Turkish Drums, wer [...] affrighted, that they became altogethe [...] useless; notwithstanding which, the [...] bravely maintained their ground, an [...] by the special Valour and Conduct [...] [Page 23] [...]heir undaunted Leaders, gave the Infi­dels an absolute overthrow, whereat Solyman being desperately inraged, as he fled away, burned all before him; and the better to prop up his broken Credit, gave out, that he had obtained the Victo­ry, and thereby pleased himself with the thoughts of being a Conquerour, though only in report.

From thence with invincible industry and patience they forced their passage through Vallies, up Mountains, and over Rivers, taking in as they went the fa­mous Cities Iconium, Heraclea, Tarsus, [...]nd conquering all the Country about Cilicia. But being too much puft up with [...]his great Success, Heaven, to cure them of the Pleurisie of Pride, let them blood with the tedious and costly Siege of An­ [...]iochia; which City being called Reblath by the Hebrews, was built by Seleucus Nicanor, and watered by the River [...]rontes, but inlarged by Antiochus, who [...]ncompassed it round with a double Wall, one of square Stone, and the o­ [...]er of Brick; strengthened with 460 Towers, and such an invincible Castle on [...]e East part of it, that it was rather to be [...]dmired than assaulted. In this City, twas [...]at the Professors of Christianity were [...]st called Christians, and the Apostle Peter first sate as Bishop, whose fair [Page 24]Church was a Patriarchal Seat for man [...] hundred years after.

Before this City the Pilgrims Army sat [...] down, and closely besieged it: But th [...] Turks within making a vigorous Defen [...] under Auxianus their Governour, frustrate their expectations of forcing the Tow [...] as soon as they appeared before it; [...] the Siege grew very long, and Provision very short in the Christians Cam [...] which made Peter the Hermite, no [...] withstanding his pretended Delegation [...] manage this War on the behalf of Chris [...] run away; but being pursued an [...] brought back again, was bound by a new Oath to prosecute the War. Howeve [...] at length one within the City, of who [...] Name and Religion Authors cannot agre [...] (some making him a Turk, others Christian; some call him by one name and some by another) in the dead of th [...] night betrayed the City to Boemun [...] whereupon the Pilgrims entred in, an [...] being highly exasperated by the leng [...] of the Seige, they so remembred th [...] miseries they had endured, that they fo [...] got all pity and moderation, killing an [...] slaying promiscuously Christians and Tur [...] and all that came to hand.

The Town was offered to A [...]us th [...] Emperour, but he refused it out of [Page 25]suspicion, that there was some deceit in the tender, it being common with ill men to measure other mens minds by the crooked rule of their own, whereupon [...]t was given to Boe [...]nd. But not­withstanding the dearness of the purchase, it was not long injoyed in quiet, for Cor­boran the Turkish General came with a vast Army of Persian Souldiers and be­sieged them in the City, so that they were greatly distrest between hunger within and their enemies without, which made many of them to steal away out of the City; whereat the rest no whit discouraged, accounting the loss of Cowards the gain of an Army, bravely re­solved rather to sell their lives by whole­sale, on the point of the Sword, than to retail them out by famine, who is the worst of Tyrants. And to hasten the putting this generous resolution into practice, they happened to find in the Church of St. Peter a certain Lance which they were made to believe was the very same Lance, wherewith our Saviours side was pierced by the Souldier, whereat they greatly rejoyced; As though this military relique had by wounding of Christ been indued with a certain vertue of wounding and de­stroying his Enemies, and carried with it [Page 26]an infallible pledge of victory. And there upon sallying out they fell upon the Be­siegers with such fury, that they wer [...] glad to quit the siege and be gone.

The Pride of the Turks being abate [...] by the loss of this Battel, an Hundre [...] Thousand of them being slain, the Christians grew very insolent, and for got to give God the Honour of the victo­ry; whereupon followed a great morta [...] ­ty, 50000 dying within a few days. B [...] cold weather having at last cleansed th [...] Chambers of the Air, and cleared th [...] Christians camp from that fatal infectio [...] their zeal now moved the swifter, bein [...] come nearer to its center the City [...] Jerusalem. And therefore they s [...] forwards, and take the City [...] Martha, and employ themselves in s [...] curing the Country round about them that so they might clear the way as the [...] went. They kept their Easter at Tripp [...] ly, and their Whitsuntide at Cesar [...] Stratonis, taking divers considerable pl [...] ­ces in their passage, and at last came to J [...] ­rusalem, when discovering the City a far o [...] it was a pleasant sight to behold the ha [...] mony they made in the differing manne [...] of their expressing their joy, & to observ [...] how they all clothed the same passio [...] with various gestures, some cast them [...] [Page 27]selves prostrate on the Earth, some kneel­ed, and others wept, and all were so trans­ported with the sight, that they had much a do to manage, so great a gladness. Then they advanced with a bundance of joy and immediately began the Siege on the Northside, it being scarce assaltable on any other part, by reason of steep and broken Rocks, which would not per­mit any near approach. The siege being once laid they assaulted the Town with such invincible courage and valour, that they had certainly taken it within four days, had they not wanted scaling Lad­ders to mount the walls withal. But the siege continuing longer, they were op­pressed with the want of that which was of far greater consequence, for the springs being all stopped or poysoned by the Turks, they were forced to fetch Water above five Miles off. As for their want of scaling Ladders, it was quickly supplied by the Genoans, who arriving in Palestine with a Fleet of Ships, brought with them several curious and accurate Engineers who in about a Months time framed a Wooden Tower, and all other instru­ments for battering the Wall, at a place about seven Miles from the City, for [...]earer there grew no stick of bigness Which being all finished, and the Pilgrims [Page 28]having as the best preparative for Victory begun with a Fast and a solemn Procession toward Mount Olivet, they proceeded the next day to give a general assault, which was performed with an incredible Pierceness, the very Women playing the men, and fighting most valiantly in Armour. But they within being Forty Thousand strong, well victualled and provided of all things ne­cessary, made a stout resistance till the in­jurious Night abruptly put an end to their fighting in the very midst of all their heat and courage.

But no sooner had the first glimmerings of light brought news of the approaching morning but they fell on a fresh with a [...] resolution to carry the Town before night; which they did the rather because they had intercepted a certain letter tied to the legs of a Dove (it being a com­mon thing in those Eastern Parts to make use of that creature as a Post) wherein the Persian Emperour had promised with all imaginable speed to relieve it. The Turks in hopes of rendering the new framed instruments of Battery useless cased the outside of their Wall with bag [...] of chaff, and such like pliable matte [...] which conquered the Christians Engine [...] by yielding to them. But one of them being so very strong and sturdy, that [Page 29]its force would not be tamed by those ordinary Methods, they brought two old Witches and placed them on the Wall, to inchant it; but this Spirit being too fierce, and unruly, for their Spells to tame, they both of them miserably perished on the place, and the approaching Night commanded a cessation of Arms for that time.

But the next day Duke Godfrey hav­ing fired a great heap of combustible mat­ter, the smoak of it was so driven before the wind, that it blinded the Pagans Eyes, and gave the Christians an opportunity un­der its Protection of entring the City. The Duke himself, being the first man that set footing on the Walls. The Turks see­ing the Christians enter the City in such numbers, retired to Solomons Temple (so called because it was built in or near the same place) with a resolution there to take the last farewel of their lives. The Christians followed them thither, and in a fierce, and desperate conflict, the fore­most of them were miserably slain, being thrust upon their Enemies weapons, by their own fellows who followed them, so that the pavement swom with humane gore, and none could go either in or out, but he must wade through a River of Blood, or pass over a Bridge of dead [Page 30]Bodies. In this fight valour was n [...] wanting in the Turks; but it was supe [...] latively abundant in the Christians, wh [...] still pressed forward upon their Enemie [...] till the want of light compelled them t [...] give over. Thus was Jerusalem won [...] the Christians and Twenty Thousa [...] Turks slain therein on the Fifteenth [...] July.

Then many Christians, who had till no [...] lived in Jerusalem, in a most deplorab [...] slavery, being forced to lurk in secre came forth rejoycing, and heartily we comed, and imbraced, those Pilgrin who were the happy procurers of the liberty. And the next Morning, mer [...] being proclaimed to all those who wou [...] lay down their Arms, the Turks yield [...] upon promise of saving their lives, no withstanding which they were three day after all put to the Sword, witho [...] respect to Age or Sex, upon the idle pr­tence of fear of Treason in them, if t [...] Persian Emperour should come and besie [...] them. But the Noble Tancred decla [...] himself highly displeased with that [...] ­vage and barbarous action.

CHAP. VI.

EIght days after the taking of Jerusalem, they proceeded to the Election of a King; but having so many Princes whose shining Vertues made them equally de­serving, they knew not which of them to pitch upon; however, at last they unani­mously resolve on Robert Duke of Nor­mandy, as a person of the highest Descent; notwithstanding which, the Duke, con­trary to all mens expectation, refused this honorable offer, either because he had an Eye to the English Diadem, which was now fallen to him by the death of William Rufus, who was his Elder Bro­ther; or else because he imagined (and that truly enough) that the Kingdom of Jerusalem would in all probability, be in­cumbred with a continual War. But he who would not accept of the Crown with the Cross, was afterwards forced to take the Cross without the Crown; for from that day forward, he never [Page 32]thrived in any thing he undertook, bu [...] lived to see abundance of misery, and fe [...] more, being shut up in Prison, and de [...] prived of his sight by King Henry h [...] Brother.

Robert having declared his refusal, the [...] proceed to a second Choice; and th [...] they might acquaint themselves the be [...] ­ter with the temper and disposition [...] ­those Princes, out of which the Choi [...] was to be made, they examined the [...] Servants upon Oath concerning the [...] Masters faults; and when they came [...] examine the Servants of Godfrey Du [...] of Bovillon, they all protested that the o [...] ­ly fault they knew their Master guil [...] of, was, that when he went to Church [...] ­sing Mattens, he would stay so long aft [...] they were done, to learn of the Pri [...] the meaning of every Image and Pictur [...] that Dinner at home was utterly spoil [...] by his long tarrying. This relation b [...] gat him the admiration of all men, w [...] admiring that the Dukes worst Vi [...] should prove so great a Vertue, ma [...] choice of him to be their King. T [...] Duke accepted of the Title, but not [...] the solemnity of it, refusing to wear [...] Crown of Gold there where the Savi [...] of Mankind had been tortured with Crown of Thorns.

This Godfrey, who was the first Christian King of Jerusalem, was nobly descended, being Son and Heir to Eustace, Duke of Bovillon, and Ida, Daughter and Heir to Godfrey Duke of Lorrain: He was bred in that School of

[Page 34]War, the Court of Henry the fourth Emperour of Germany; about which time there happened to be a difference between him and another Prince, about a Title to Land, which proving so in­tricate, that the Judges could not untie the knot, it was agreed on, that the two Princes should cut it asunder with their Swords in a single Combate. But God­frey was very unwilling to fight, not that he was the worst Souldier, but the bet­ter Christian, and could not satisfie him­self that a private Title to Land was a­sufficient foundation whereon to ground a Duel. However, since fight he must he yielded to the Tyranny of Custom and according to the fashion of the Country, entred the Lists, where, not­withstanding his Sword broke at the firs [...] Encounter, yet he struck his Adversar [...] down with the Hilt, whereby he both saved his Enemies Life, and gained hi [...] own Inheritance. Nor was he less for tunate when Standard-bearer to the Em­perour, for with the Imperal Ensign h [...] killed Rodulphus Duke of Saxony in singl [...] fight, and fed the Roman Eagle on the bowels of that Arch-Traitor.

CHAP. VII.

Godfrey being now possessed of the Crown, took care to settle the [...]itre, and provide for the well-ordering [...]f the Ecclesiastical Affairs. Well, con­ [...]dering that the Commonwealth never [...]rives so well as when the Church and [...]tate are equally interested in the Princes [...]are.

So soon as Antioch was taken, one Bernard a Reverent Prelate was with a [...]eneral consent advanced to the Patri­ [...]rchal Seat. But more difficulty there [...]as to settle that Dignity in Jerusalem. [...]or first Arnulphus a vicious and worth­less man, was by popular Faction lifted [...]p into the Patriarchs Chair, but being [...]ith much difficulty put by, Robert Arch­ [...]ishop of Pisa was substituted in his place, [...] person wise, politick and learned, but [...]nfected with the general humour of the Clergy of that Age, a delight to justle with Princes for more Elbow-room. [Page 36] Arnulphus never ceased to molest him, and all those who succeeded him, till by ma­ny changes he found means to struggle himself into the Chair again.

Under these Two Patriarchs were di­vers Archbishops and Bishops, who were placed as near as could be, where they were before the Saracens had over-run the Country, and liberal Maintenance allotted to most of them: But they were too numerous for all to grow great, and Palestine fed too many Cathedral Churches to have them generally fat; for there was Lydda, Jomnia, and Joppa, three Episcopal Towns within four Miles of each other. Nay, Tyrius tells us of Fourteen Bishops under the Archbishop of Tyre, 20 under the Archbishop of Cae­sarea, Nine under the Archbishop of Scythopolis, Twelve under the Archbishop of Rabbah, besides Twenty five Suffragan Churches, which were immediately de­pending on the Patriarch, without subor­dination to any Archbishop. From whence we may observe, that in those days Bishops kept their Sees at mean and contemptible Villages (as here in Engl. before the Conquest Sunning in Bark shire, and Dorchester near Oxford, had Cathe­dral Churches in them, though now they have removed them to the great and most Principal Towns.

CHAP. VIII.

MAhomets Tomb was not so firmly fixed to the attractive Load-stone, but that now it began to shake, and was in all probability like to have tumbled down, the Christians victories giving daily wounds to that silly and foppish Re­ligion, which made the Saracens enter in­to a Combination with the Turks to assist them in stopping, if possible, the further progress of their Victorious Arms: where­fore coming out of Egypt, under the com­mand of Ammitavissius their General, near Askelon they gave the Christians Battel, but God sent such a qualm upon these In­fidels hearts, that 100000 of them were presently slain, and their Rich Tents, which seemed as if they were the Exche­quer of the East Country, possessed by the Pilgrims, who now so much aboun­ded with wealth, that they knew not how to value it. Which made many of the Pilgrims who were Merchants for honour, and had now made so gainful an Adventure, think of returning home, and those who remained were advanced [Page 38]to honourable Titles and Places in the Land.

But by this return of the Pilgrims, the heat of the Christians Victories was some [...] what staid, for Boemund Prince of Antioch [...] marching into Mesopotamia, was take [...] Prisoner, and the Heroick Godfrey, wh [...] had till now been ever accustomed to Conquer, was forced to depart with dis­grace from the Siege of Antipatris.

CHAP. IX.

ABout this time under Serard thei [...] first Master began the Order o [...] Knights Hospitallers. There was indee [...] an Order called by that name more an­ciently in Jerusalem, but they were n [...] Knights, but poor Alms-men, whose House was founded, and themselve [...] maintained by the Merchants of Amu [...] phia, a City in Italy. But they had now more stately Buildings assigned them, and their House dedicated to St. John o [...] [Page 39] Jerusalem; the conditions upon which they were to be admitted to the Highest Order of this Knighthood, were these, they must be Eighteen years old at least, of an able body, not descended of Jewish or Turkish Parents, no Bastards (except to a Prince, there being honour in that dishonour) but born of honest and wor­shipful Parents; they always wore a Red Belt, with a White Cross, and a Black Cloak, whereon was the White Cross of Jerusalem, which was a Cross crossed, or five Crosses together, in memory of our Saviours five Wounds. Their Profes­sion was to fight against Infidels, and se­cure Pilgrims in their coming to the Se­pulchre; they vowed Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, to which was added by Reimundus de Podio, their second Master, that they must receive the Sacrament thrice a year, hear Mass once a day, be no Merchants or Usurers, fight no pri­vate Duels, and always stand neuters, and take part with neither side, if the Princes of Europe should fall out.

At their Inauguration they received a Sword, to intimate that they must be valiant, which Sword had a Cross Hilt, to remember them that they must there­with defend Religion. 2ly. With this Sword they were struck three times over [Page 40]the shoulders, to teach them patiently to suffer for Christ. Thirdly, They must wipe the Sword, to intimate that their lives must be clean and undefiled. Fourth­ly, They had gilt Spurs put upon them, to intimate that they must scorn Wealth, and spurn it at their heels. Fifthly, They were to take a Taper in their hands, to intimate that they were to enlighten others by their exemplary lives.

About the same time also were ordain­ed the Knights of the Sepulchre, who were for their Original and Profession much like the former, and their Order continueth to this day, they being made by the Padre Guardian of Jerusalem, of such as have seen the Sepulchre, and should be all Gentlemen, but the Padre frequently dispenses with the severity of that Law, and admits of those who bring fat enough, though no blood.

Now also there arose a great Contro­versie between the King and the Patri­arch, the latter claiming the Cities of Je­rusalem and Joppa, with all their depen­dances, as belonging of right to him, and the other denying to deliver them. The Patriarch affirmed they had always belonged to his Predecessors, and that it did not become Princes, who ought to be Nursing Fathers to the Church, sa­crilegiously [Page 41]to suck from, and devour it.

On the other side, the King alledged, that the Christian Princes had now purchased Jerusalem with their Blood, and bestowed it on him, so that the Patriarchs over-grown Title was lost in that Conquest, from which, as upon a new Foundation, all must now build their claims who challenge a right to any part in that City: Besides which, it would be unreasonable for the King of Jerusa­lem to enjoy nothing in Jerusalem, but live there more like a Sojourner than a Prince in his Royal Palace, and be con­fined only to an airy Title, whilst the Pa­triarch should enjoy all the Command.

To this the Patriarch answered, That the Christians new Conquest could not cancel his Ancient Right, which he said was enjoyed even under the Saracens, especially since that Voyage was purpose­ly undertaken for the advancing of the Church, and not the bare restoring her to her Liberty only; which Argument he pressed so home, that Godfrey, not­withstanding he was unwilling at first, yet afterwards not only granted him on Candlemas day a fourth part of the City, but on the Easter following (the King lying then on his Death-bed) gave him all Jerusalem, Joppa, and whatsoever else [Page 42]he desired upon condition that he should hold it of the Patriarch, till he should Conquer Babylon, or some other Royal City, to keep his Court in. And that i [...] in the mean time he should have died without Issue, it should immediately b [...] ­delivered into the Patriarchs Possession.

Not long after Godfrey had made this liberal Grant, wherein he frankly gave away his whole Kingdom at once, he died, having Reigned one year wanting five days, and was buried in the Temple of the Sepulchre, where his Tomb re­mains inviolated to this day.

CHAP. X.

GOdfrey being dead, the Christians with an unanimous consent made choice of Bald [...]in, who was [...]ount of Edessa (a City in Arabia) and Brother to Godfrey, to succeed him, a Prince who was tall, and of a comely Personage, be­ing like Saul, higher by the head than any of his Subjects; and being thus cho­sen to the Kingdom, without troubling his head about his Brothers Religious scruple of wearing a Crown of Gold [Page 43]where Christ wore one of Thorns, he accepted the Ceremony as well as the Title, and was Crowned on the Christmas day following.

But before his Coronation there was a desperate Quarrel between him and the Patriarch, who upon the death of God­frey devoured Jerusalem, and the Tower of David in his hope; but coming to take possession, found that a more diffi­cult task, than it was to obtain the grant from the dying King. For Garnier Earl of Gretz, refused to surrender it, telling him that he would, according to his duty, keep it on the behalf of King Bald­win, who was not yet arrived from Edessa. This unexpected refusal made the Pa­triarch storm exceedingly; but however, Baldwin having the stronger Sword, and actual possession of the City, kept it per­force, which made the Patriarch com­plain to Boemund Prince of Antioch, and stir him up to take Arms against King Baldwin, for the recovery of the Churches Right, as he was pleased to term it. But not succeeding therein, the difference was made up for the present by the me­diation of friends, although it was not long before it brake out again to that degree, that the Patriarch was glad to flee to Antioch, and from thence to Rome, [Page 44]to complain to the Pope, from whom h [...] obtained a command to King Baldwin fo [...] the re establishing him in the Patriarcha [...] Seat, with which as he was returning home he died at Messena in Cicilia [...] whereupon Bremarus an holy and devou [...] man, was against his own will advance [...] by King Baldwin to the Chair. But being disliked by the Pope, because the King chose him, he was soon deposed, and Gibellinus the Popes Legate chosen in his stead, who being thought by Arnulphus, who had been chosen Patriarch, a [...] the first taking of Jerusalem, and was thrust out again, to go to slowly to his Grave, he was suspected to have hasten­ed his death; upon which he was substi­tuted in his room by the especial favour of King Baldwin.

CHAP. XI.

THE spreading Fame of the Chri­stians great Success in Palestine, sum­moned a new supply of Pilgrims out of Christendom, Germany, and other places, w ^ch had been sparing at the first Voyage, [Page 45] [...]ut resolved now to make amends with [...]ouble liberality. The chief Adventurers [...]ere Guelpho Duke of Bavaria, Hugh Bro­ [...]er to the French King, and Stephen Earl [...]f Bloys (both which had very much suf­ [...]ered in their Reputation for having de­ [...]erted their fellows in the first Expedi­ [...]on, and therefore sought to regain their [...]ost Honour by this second Adventure;) The Duke of Aquitain, the Earl of Bur­undy, and the Couar of Bogen, with ma­ [...]y more grear Men and Prelates, lead­ [...]ng with them an Army of 250000 Men. All Europe was now big with expecta­ [...]ion, to see what so great an Army would atchieve, it being common for most men to measure Victories by the [...]ultitudes of the Souldiers. But in this [...]ase it signified little, for they did no­ [...]hing worthy admiration, unless it were [...]hat they went so far to do just nothing, [...]heir sufferings being far more famous [...]han their doings, being so consumed by Plague, Famine and Sword, that scarce one thousand of them ever reached Pa­ [...]estine, and those fitter to be sent to Hos­ [...]itals, than to march into the Field.

But the chief cause why this Voyage miscarried so miserably, was the Trea­thery of Alexius, who perplexing him­self with a groundless and ridiculous fear, [Page 46]lest between the Latines in the East, who were come thither upon pretence of con­quering Palestine, and those in the West his Graecian Empire, lying in the midst should be ground to powder, as betwee [...] two Milstones, did them all the private mischief he could possibly procure whilst he publickly pretended to hav [...] the greatest kindness for them imagin [...] ­able, calling the chief Captains of thei [...] Army his Sons, and thereby verifying the Proverb, The more courtesie, the mor­craft. But in private he would say to his friends, that he took as great a plea [...] sure to see those European Pilgrims i [...] Battel with the Turk, as he would do to see two Mastiff Dogs sighting together [...] hoping that which side soever lost, h [...] himself should be a gainer. Wherefore he so ordered the matter, that they ha [...] no sooner passed Graecia, and crossed th [...] Bosphorus, but they were for thirty day [...] together exposed as a mark to the Turkis [...] Arrows, and cut off by their cowardly Enemies, whilst they were pent up in the straits of unknown passages.

But in the mean time King Baldwi [...] imployed himself with better success i [...] Palestine. For by the assistance of th [...] Genoan Fleet, (who were for their pain [...] to have a third part of the spoil, and a [Page 47]Street in every place that was taken) he [...]on several very considerable Havens [...]ong the midland Sea, there being be­ [...]re this but one only part for the Chri­ [...]ians to land at, viz. Joppa. He began with Antipatris to redeem the Christian [...]onour which was morgaged there, when Godfrey was forced to rise from before it. But the Turks having gotten [...]ogether a good Army, gave him Battel [...]t Rhamula, where he gave them a very [...]reat overthrow.

The Joy of which Victory continued [...]ot long, for the Turks being recruited, [...]nd resolving upon revenge, set upon him [...]gain in the same place, and after a re­ [...]olute fight obtained the Victory, it being [...]he first great overthrow the Christians [...]ad ever received in Palestine; where­ [...]n, besides many others, the Earls of Bloys and Burgundy lost their lives, and the King himself was reported to be slain. This Victory so entoxicated the Turks with Joy, that they gave themselves to [...]mirth and jollity, without the least sus­ [...]icion of a Reincounter, which Baldwin [...]eing informed of by his Spies, returned suddenly upon them with fresh Souldiers, [...]nd with the back-blow of an unlook'd for Enemy (which is commonly the most fatal) bravely wrested the Victory out of the Infidels hands.

Nor were the rest of the Christian Princes idle, but endeavoured likewise the inlarging of the Christian Dominions Tancred Prince of Galilee possessing him self of Apamea and Laodicea, two Citie [...] in Coelosyria, which were both built b [...] Antiochus. Nor was it long before Pto­lemais fell likewise into the Christian hands, a City on the Mediterranean Sea which took its name from Ptolemeus Phi­lometor King of Egypt. The Genoan Gal­lies being ten in number, doing the grea­test service in the taking of it, and there­fore as a reward, had granted them large profits from the Harbour, a Church to themselves, and Jurisdiction over the fourth part of the City, which came a [...] last to be the very Seat of the Holy War [...] there being in it a continual fighting a­gainst the Turks for an hundred and eigh­ty years together.

But whilst the Arms of the Christi­ans prospered so well in some places, they were unsuccessful in others; for Baldw [...] Count of Edossa, and Earl Joceline besieg­ing Charran in Mesopotamia, had brough [...] it into such straits, that it was ready to b [...] delivered to them, when the Christian Captains falling out among themselves were set upon and defeated by the Pa­gans, and the two Earls, with diver [Page 49]others taken Prisoners. However, to mitigate the sorrow for this misfortune, Byblus, which was a very good Haven, and built by Heveus the Sixth Son of Canaan, was taken by King Baldwin, and shortly after Tripoli was likewise con­quered by his Victorious Arms, who created one Bertram (a Nobleman that had behaved himself well in the Siege) Earl of Tripoli, it being accounted a Title of great Honour, in regard Tripoli was ever reckoned one of the four Te­trarchies of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

And to revenge the many injuries they had received from treacherous Alexius, Boemund, Prince of Antioch, with a great Navy spoiled the Havens of Graecia; every one abhorring his unfaithful practice, were willing to list themselves as Vo­lunteers for this Service. But an Agree­ment was soon made between them.

Sidon the most ancient and famous Ci­ty of Phoenicia, was by the help of the Danish and Norway Fleet added likewise to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, flushed with which Conquest, and the series of success that had for a long [...]me attended them, they next set down before Tyre, a City which Sea and Land, Nature and Art had combined together to make strong and impregnable, it being incom­passed [Page 50]by the Sea all but a narrow ne [...] of Land that tacks it to the Co [...] ­nent, which was fortified with m [...] Walls and Towers, so that it was h [...] to determine whether the strength of [...] City, or the Wealth of its Inhabita [...] was greatest. But not being able to ca [...] it, he raised his Siege, and depart [...] when meeting with the Persian Gene [...] who had an Army far superiour to [...] he rashly gave him Battel, and after desperate Fight lost all his Baggage, a hardly escaped himself.

After a long Tempest of War ca [...] a calm of Peace, wherein Baldwin enj [...] ­ed a five years quiet in his old age, [...] ­ring which time he made several V [...] ­ages for his pleasure, and to take a vi [...] of the Country, and satisfie himself of [...] situation and strength of the several p [...] ­ces. One of his Journeys was to [...] Red Sea, not so called from the red [...] of the Water or Sand, as some foolis [...] conceit, but from the neighbouring E­mites, whom the Graecians call Erythrea or Red Men. And another he made to Egypt, supposing himself obliged give one visit to that Country, that so might in part repay the many Incursi [...] the Egyptians had made into his Kingdo [...] Where having first taken the City [Page 51] Pharamia, anciently called Rameses, and given the Spoil of it to his Souldiers, he spent a considerable time in viewing that riddle of Nature, the River of Nilus, whose flowing Stream is a Confluence of Wonders; first in regard of its undisco­verable Original, but chiefly its increa­sing from the first of June, to the midst of September, in which time it overflows all Egypt, and rises too high for the most penetrating Judgment ever to dive to its bottom, or render the true reason of its Flux.

Great delight he took in viewing this River, wherein he eat many Fish, and his death in eating them; for a Surfeit which he then got, brought upon him the grief of an old wound, which he received at the Siege of Ptolomais, and ended in his death. He died at Laris in his return from Egypt, and was brought to Jerusa­lem, and buried on Palm-Sunday in the Temple of the Sepulchre, having Reigned almost Eighteen years.

The same day that Baldwin was buried, Baldwin de Burgo his Kinsman, and Count of Edessa, accidentally came into the Ci­ty, intending there to keep his Easter: At which time the Christian Princes were met together for the Electing a new King, the most whereof were for [Page 52]bestowing the Crown upon Prince E­stace, Brother to the two former King but then absent in France, in regard was unsafe to break the chain of Succe­sion, there being nothing more comm [...] in those cases, than for the inverting [...] order to bring confusion, alledging lik [...] wise that it would be high ingratitude the memories of Godfrey and Baldwin [...] exclude their Brother, since he was in a points fit to be a King.

Others opposed it, objecting the da­ger of an Inter-regnum, especially und [...] their circumstances, who living in t [...] mouth of their Enemies, to stay for Kingdom, was the way to lose the Kin [...] ­dom. And at length after much deba on both sides, they proceeded to a p [...] ­sent Election, and made choice of Ba [...] ­win, who on the Easter-day following w [...] Crowned by Arnulphus the Patriarch, [...] the name of Baldwin the Second. In t [...] mean time some were secretly dispatch [...] to acquaint Prince Eustace with wh [...] had passed, and invite him to come a [...] challenge the Crown; but he hear [...] that Baldwin was in possession of it, p [...] ­ferred quietness before honour; and [...] though he was part of the way on [...] Journey thither, yet he very quietly w [...] back again.

About this time happened the death [...]f that Arch Hypocrite Alexius the Grae­ [...]an Emperour, who was succeeded by Calo Johannes, of whom we shall have occa­sion to speak often in the succeeding part of this History.

Arnulphus, who enjoyed the Patriar­chal Dignity, when Baldwin the Second came to the Crown, was so infamous, [...]hat the report of his baseness at length came to the Popes Ear, who sent away a Legate to depose him; but Arnulphus hasted to Rome, and with a great sum of Money bought himself innocent, and ob­ [...]ained yet the enjoyment of his place du­ [...]ing life.

Guarimund succeeded him, being a ve­ [...]y Religious man, and one by whom the Christians obtained many Victories; he called a Council at Neapolis, wherein ma­ [...]y wholsom things were concluded on for the reformation of manners. After his death Stephen Abbot of St. John de [...]alia was advanced, who awakened the Patriarchs Title to Jerusalem, after it had [...]lept during the lives of his three Pre­decessors, demanding it very imperiously of the King, being a man of a high spi­ [...]it; but he died in the midst of his Age, [...]nd in the beginning of his Projects, his place being filled by William, Prior of the [Page 54]Sepulchre, who was a Flemin born, an [...] better beloved than learned.

CHAP. XII.

ABout the beginning of this Kin [...] Reign the two great Orders [...] Templars and Teutonicks first appear [...] in the world, the former under Hugh [...] Pagaris, and Ganfred of St. Omer, the first Founders; they were much like t [...] Hospitallers in all things, and like the [...] were poor at first, but being afterwar [...] confirmed by the Pope, at the intreaty [...] Stephen Patriarch of Jerusalem, who e [...] ­joyned them to wear a White garme [...] to which was afterwards added by [...] ­genius the Third a Red Cross on the Breast; they grew wonderful rich [...] the Bounty of several Princely Patro [...] The latter were all Dutchmen, well [...] scended, living at Jerusalem in a ho [...] which one of that Nation bequeathed his Countrymen, that came thither [...] Pilgrimage, in the year 1190. their Or [...] was honoured with a Grand Mast [...] [Page 55] [...]hereof the first was Henry A-walpot, [...]heir Habit being Black Crosses on White Robes.

It will certainly be very pleasant for [...]he Reader, to observe as he goes along, [...]ow this Kings Reign is strangely che­ [...]uered with great variety of Fortune. [...]or first Roger, Guardian to young Boe­ [...]und, Prince of Antioch, going forth to [...]ght the Turks, was conquered and kil­ [...]d. But Baldwin on the 14th of August [...]llowing compelled them to make a Re­ [...]tution of their Victory, and with a [...]hall Army gives them a great over­ [...]row. And to moderate the Christians [...]y for this Victory, Joceline unadvised­ [...] fights with Balack, a petty King of [...]e Turks, and is beaten and taken Pri­ [...]ner, and the King attempting to rescue [...]m, was also taken himself.

However, the Christians hands were [...]t bound by the captivity of their King, [...]r Eustace Grenier, who was chosen [...]ice-Roy whilst the King was a Priso­ [...]r, stoutly defended the Country, and [...]oceline having made his escape out of [...]ison, fought Balack again at Hircapolis, [...]uted his Army, & killed him upon the [...]lace with his own hands; & to crownall, [...]uarimund the Patriarch, by the assistance [...] the Venetian Fleet, which were com­manded [Page 56]by the Duke of Venice, cook th [...] impregnable City of Tyre, the Venetia [...] were for this service to have a third p [...] of the City to themselves. The Ci [...] was, besides its own natural strength, we stored with Men and Ammunition; b [...] Famine increasing, they consented [...] yield upon honourable terms.

Not long after this the King returne home, after having been eighteen month a Prisoner, and was to pay a Ransom [...] an hundred thousand Michaelets, for t [...] security whereof, he left his Daughter [...] Hostage: But he paid the Turks with t [...] Saracens money, whom he beat first [...] Antioch, and then at Damascus; whi [...] place he unfortunately besieged, a [...] thereby damped the Joy of his two fo [...] ­mer Victories. And the more to qu [...] their swelling pride, the young Prince [...] Antioch was overthrown in Battel a [...] slain.

Which ill success so afflicted Ki [...] Baldwins mind, that for some time b [...] fore his death, he renounced the wor [...] and took upon him a Religious Habit [...] thing not very unusual in those days, a [...] sometimes, though not often, practi [...] still, as by the Late Queen of Sweden, W [...] is yet living.

CHAP. XIII.

FƲlco Earl of Tours, Mam and Anjou, came about three years before on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he ob­ [...]ained in Marriage Mellesent the Kings Daughter, and thereupon had assigned [...]he City of Tyre, and some other Prince­ [...]y Accommodations for his present main­ [...]enance, and the Kingdom after his Fa­ther-in-laws decease, which he received [...]ccordingly. He had one Son by a for­ [...]er Wife, which was Jeffry Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, to whom he left all his Lands in France, and from whom our Kings of England are descended.

This Fulco was a very valiant man, in­dued with many perfections both of bo­dy and mind. In his Reign there was [...]o Alterations worth remark in the Church of Jerusalem, but in that of An­tioch there was much stir who should [Page 58]succeed Bernard, that peaceable and long liv'd Prelate, who sate Thirty six year [...] in the Chair, and survived Eight Pa­triarchs of Jerusalem. For the Clerg [...] being long in their choice before the [...] could come to a result, the Laity wa [...] too nimble for them, and clapped o [...] Rodolphus of honourable descent into th [...] Chair, who cast off his Obedience to th [...] Pope, and refused to acknowledge a [...] Superiour but St. Peter. He was th [...] Darling of the Gentry, but bated of th [...] Clergy, because advanced without the [...] suffrage; wherefore being conscious [...] himself that he needed strong Arms, sin [...] he was to swim against the stream, [...] screwed himself into the favour of t [...] Princess of Antioch, Widdow to you [...] Boemund, so that with her strength [...] beat down all his Enemies, promising h [...] in requital, to make a Marriage betw [...] her and Reimund Earl of Poictou, who w [...] then coming into those parts. But [...] deceived her, and procured the Earl [...] marry with the Lady Constantia h [...] Daughter, who was but a Child wi [...] whom he had the Principality of Antio [...]

The Patriarch, that he might ma [...] sure work, and oblige him for ever to [...] his friend, bound him to it by an Oat [...] But as it is usual in those cases, frien [...] [Page 59]unjustly gotten, are seldom long injoyed, of a sworn Friend, he became his sworn Enemy, and forced him to go to Rome, there to answer many Accusations laid to his charge. The chief whereof was, that he made odious comparisons between Antioch and Rome, and accounted himself equal to his Holiness.

When he arrived at Rome, he found the Popes Doors shut against him, but he quickly opened them with a Golden Key, and upon his repentance for having refused to acknowledge Obedience to the Church of Rome, he was dismissed, only it was ordered by his Holiness, that the Bishop of Ostia should be sent into Byria, to examine matters relating to his other Crimes, and proceed accordingly: Whereat his Adversaries stormed ex­treamly, expecting that he should have been immediately deposed: But having mist their mark, they resolved to have a second blow at him; wherefore they prevailed with Albericus the Legate to favour their design, (which was not un­known to Rodolphus) who coming to An­tioch, cited the Patriarch to appear, but being called three several times, came not, which was variously commented up­on by those who were present, accord­ing as they affected or disaffected him. [Page 60]Whereupon the Legate directed himself to the Arch-Bishop of Apamea, who had formerly been one of the most vehemen [...] Accusers of Rodolphus, but had lately bee [...] reconciled to him, and demanded why he did not accuse the Patriarch now o [...] those Crimes which he had formerly laid to his charge: To which the Arch-Bishop answered, That what he the [...] did was done out of heat and prejudice, and he thought it was his great sin so unadvisedly to discover the nakedness o [...] his Father, like cursed Cham, from which God had so far reclaimed him, that he would rather die for his safety, than ac­cuse him. Upon which Speech the Le­gate (such was the Martial-Law in a Pre­late in those days) immediately deposed him, and shortly after thrust out the Pa­triarch with great violence, and shut him up in Prison, where he remained a long time in Chains, till at last he made his escape, and went to Rome, with an in­tent to have traversed his Cause again, had not death cut him off.

About this time Calo Johannes the Graecian Emperour came with a great Ar­my of Horse and Foot, and demanded of Reimund Prince of Antioch, to resign to him that whole Signiory, according to the Composition which the Christian [Page 61]Princes made with Alexius his Father; which insolent demand fretted Reimund and all the Latines to the heart, in regard they had purchased an Inheritance with their own Blood, and yet were required to turn Tenants at will to another.

They told him it was offered his Fa­ther when first taken, and he refused it: That Alexius kept not his Covenants, nor assisted them according to the Agree­ment. He called them his Sons indeed, but disinherited them of their hopes, and all the Portion that he gave them lay in promises never paid. But all these Arguments signified little, the Empe­rours Sword being far stronger than theirs; for coming with so great a force, he conquered in a few days all Cilicia, and then besieged the City of Antioch it self; whereupon the King of Jerusalem fearing it would give too great advan­tage to the Infidels, to have the Chri­stians fall together by the Ears among themselves, made composition between them, wherein Reimund obliged him­self to do homage to the Emperour, and hold his Principality of him: Not­withstanding which, about four years af­ter he returned again, but did not much harm, only pillaged the Country. And some few years after that he died, being [Page 62]accidentally poisoned by one of his own Arrows which he had prepared for the Wild Bore, having always carried it much fairer to the Latines than his Fa­ther had done, in regard an honourable Foe is much more desirable than a Treacherous Friend.

Falco having Reigned in Jerusalem about Eleven years, with abundance o [...] care and industry, being almost conti­nually imbroiled in Civil Discords, which hindered him from much inlarging of hi [...] Dominion, was slain as he was following his sport in Hunting, to the great grie [...] of his Subjects. He was buried with his Predecessors in the Temple of the Se­pulchre, leaving two Sons behind him Balder and Almerick, the former being about Thirteen, and the latter Eleve [...] years old.

CHAP. XIV.

BAldwin the Eldest Son of Falco, suc­ceeded his Father, and quickly gre [...] up as well in Age, as in Royal Qualifi­cations, [Page 63]and became a most compleat and well accomplished Prince. During his minority, his Mother who governed all, made up his want of Age with her abun­dant care, she being a Woman in sex, but of a masculine Spirit.

William, who was last possessed of the Patriarchs Chair in Jerusalem, was no great Clerk, being better at Building of Castles than at Edifying the Church: He built one at Askelon, one at Ramula, a third called Blankguard, for the securing of Prisoners: But having enjoyed the Dignity Fifteen years, he was translated to Heaven, and Fulcher Arch-Bishop of Tyre succeeded him, whose old Age was much molested with the Pride and Rebellion of the Hospitallers, who had then obtain­ed from the Pope a plenary Exemption from the Jurisdiction of the Patriarch, which he did the more easily grant, be­cause he hoped thereby to make himself absolute Master of all Orders, and link them intirely to himself by an immediate dependence, whereby he made every Co­vent a Castle of Rebels, and armed them with Priviledges to fight their lawful Diocesan.

Those Hospitallers were by this means become so rude, that they would with­out all shame Ring their Bells when the [Page 64]Patriarch Preached, that so his Voice might not be heard, and shoot Arrows into the Church, to disturb him and the People in Divine Service. A bundle whereof was hung up in the Church as a Monument of their monstrous Impiety. Fulcher crawled to Rome when an hundred years old, to complain of those outrages, but the Hospitallers prevented him, and bribed off the business beforehand, so that the good old man was forced to re­turn without redress, whereupon they grew more insolent than ever.

Nor was Haymericus, who succeeded Rodolphus at Antioch, much quieter. He instituted about the year 1160. the Order of Carmelites, who pretended to an imi­tation of the Prophet Elias. Some indeed had formerly lived dispersed about the Mount of Carmel, but he gathered them into one House. But although Palestine brought them forth, yet England proved the most officious in nursing of them up: For being first brought into it by Ralph Freshburgh in the year 1240. they were first seated at Newenden in Kent, and in a little time scattered themselves all over England, and lived in great pomp, till dispersed by King Henry the Eighth, when he demolished the Abbeys.

CHAP. XV.

ALL Empires, like the swelling Sea, have bounds set to them, whither being once come, they can rise no higher. And the Kingdom of Jerusalem, being now arrived at its full growth, began to decline apace, till at last all revolved again into the Infidels hands. And the first considerable step which it made in its declension, was the loss of Edessa, one of the four Tetrarchies of that Kingdom, and a place wherein the Christian Reli­gion had always flourished from the time of the Apostles.

Which loss moved Conrade, Emperour of the West, and Lewis the Seventh sur­named the Young King of France, by the persuasion of St. Bernard, to under­take a Voyage to the Holy Land. The Emperour for this design had gotten to­gether an Army of 200000 Foot, and 50000 Horse, and the King near as many [Page 66]more. For in France they sent a Dista [...] and a Spindle to those that would not go [...] with them, as upbraiding their Effemi­nacy; and no wonder, for Women them­selves went in Armour to this War, and had a brave Heroick Lass, like another Penthesilea, for their Leader, who was so richly clad, and befringed with Gold, that she was generally known by the name of Golden Foot.

Conrade with his Army, took his way through Graecia, where Emmanuel the Em­perour, possessed with an hereditary fear of the Latines, fortified his Cities, con­cluding that there needed strong Banks where such a stream of people were to pass, using them most treacherously, and giving them a very bad welcom, in hope thereby to get rid of them the sooner. And to increase their misery as they lay incamped by the River Melas (if it be proper to call that a River, which is all Mud in Summer, and all Sea in Winter) it drowned many of them by its sudden and unexpected overflowing, as if it had learn'd Treachery of the Graecians, and conspired with them to spoil the Empe­rours generous Design.

And those of them that survived this un­happy accident, were reserved for a more lingering misery, the Emperour endea­vouring [Page 67]by all imaginable ways to ac­complish their Ruine; as by mixing Lime with their Meal, killing those who strayed from the Army, holding intelligence with the Turks, corrupting his Coin, and giving them false Con­ductors, who designedly led them into danger, and made the way less doubtful than the Guides.

And no sooner had the Emperour got through all those dangers, and escaped the Treachery of the Greeks, but he was immediately encountred by the Hostili­ty of the Turks, who waited for them on the Banks of the River Meander, which being not fordable, and the Christians having neither Boat nor Bridge to con­vey them over, the undaunted Empe­rour, after an Exhortation to his Soul­diers to follow his brave Example, plunged himself into the Water, and quickly reached the other Shoar, where, in despite of the Enemy, he Landed with all his Army. Whereat the af­frighted Turks did as it were offer their Throats to the Christians Swords, and were slain in such numbers, that whole piles of dead Bones remain there for a monument of their Victory, flushed with this success, he marched forward to Iconium, now called Cogni, which he [Page 68]besieged in vain, to the wasting and lo [...] of his Army,

The French King followed after wit [...] a numerous Army, and drank of the sam [...] Cup at the Graecians hands (though no [...] so deeply) as the Emperour had done be­fore him. But at last finding that tho [...] who marched to Palestine by Land me with an Ocean of misery, though the came not to Sea, he thought it muc [...] safer to trust the Winds and the Wave [...] than the perfidious Graecians; and there­fore shipping himself and his Army, h [...] arrived safe in Palestine, where he wa [...] highly welcomed by the Prince of A [...] ­tioch. Some weeks were spent in Prince­ly Entertainments, and visiting of holy Places before they entred upon action.

But having sufficiently recreated them­selves, and rested their Souldiers, the Emperour and the King of France both resolve upon the Siege of Damascus, ac­counting a smaller Town too mean a trifle for them to employ their Arms in its Conquests; wherefore they imme­diately sate down before it, and had cer­tainly conquered it, had they not fallen out among themselves about parting of it before it was theirs to dispose of. Conrade and King Lewis designed it for Theodorick Earl of Flanders, who was [Page 69]lately arrived in those parts, whilst other Princes who had been there a long time, and born the brunt of the War, could not endure to see a raw Upstart to be pre­ferred before them. For which reason, together with their being corrupted with Turkish money (although it proved but Brass gilt, may all Traitors be so paid) they persuaded the King of France to re­move his Camp to a stronger part of the Wall, whereby they rendred the design of taking the Town fruitless, and forced them to raise the Siege, and return home, leaving the City of Damascus, and even Honour both behind them. Many thou­sand Christians perished in that adven­ture, whose Souls are said by all the Writers of that Age, to be carried up to Heaven upon the Wings of that Holy Cause they died for. And the King of France in his return home was taken Prisoner by the Graecian Fleet, but rescued again by Gregory, who was Admiral to Roger King of Sicilia.

The King and Emperour being return­ed, Noradine the Turk prevailed in Pa­lestine, which was very much occasioned by the unhappy difference which arose between Queen Millesent, and her Son Baldwin, who was egged on by some of the Nobles that were offended with the [Page 70]Queen for having advanced a certain Nobleman whose name was Manasses, to be Constable of the Kingdom (who be­ing unable to manage his own happiness grew so insolent, that spurning his equals and trampling on his Inferiours, he drew upon himself the general hatred and en­vy of all men) quarrelled with his Mo­ther, imprisoned first, and then banished her Favourite; and at last, to conclude the difference, the Kingdom was di­vided between them, the City of Jerusa­lem, and all the In-land part was allotted to her, and what bordered upon the Se [...] to him. But the widest Throne being too narrow for two to sit on together, he was not long content with this division but marched with a great deal of fury to besiege his Mother in Jerusalem, and dis­possess her of all. When he first approach the City, the Patriarch went out to him and with abundance of freedom reproved him sharply for his rash and unnatural at­tempt, and upbraided him for his ingra­titude, in going about to take all from so good a Mother, who had not only pro­ved a good Steward in his minority, but had also consented to accept of one hal [...] of the Kingdom, when the whole of right belonged to her.

But he was so inchanted with ambl­tion, [Page 71]that no Arguments would prevail; which when the Queen perceived, she did by the advice of her friends, consent to yield up all, lest the Christian Cause should suffer by their differences.

Noradine being incouraged by those Civil Discords, came up with a great Ar­my, and wasted all the Country of An­tioch; and Prince Reimund going forth to give him Battel, had his Army beaten, and himself slain. And not long after Joceline Count of Edessa was taken Pri­soner.

In the mean while King Baldwin is not idle, but having made great preparations for the besieging of Askelon, at last sate down before it, and having made a large breach in the Wall, the Templars, to whom the King promised the spoil if they took it, entred through the breach into the City, and supposing they were able without any more help to master the Place, set a Guard to prevent any more of their fellow Christians from en­tring in to be sharers with them in the Booty; which covetousness of theirs cost them their lives; for the Turks contemn­ing the smalness of their number, put them all to the Sword; notwithstanding which the City was shortly after taken, though with abundance of difficulty.

Divers other considerable Victories King Baldwin obtained over the Turks especially one near the River of Jordan where he vanquished Noradine, and twice relieved Caesarea Philippi, which the Turk had straitly besieged; but death at la [...] made a Conquest of him, being poisoned by a Jewish Physician (as it was believed) in regard the remainder of the potion af­terwards killed a Dog to whom it was given. He was very much lamented by his Subjects, and not without reason, be­ing so brave and worthy a Prince, that even Noradine his mortal Enemy honou­rably refused to invade his Kingdom du­ring his Funeral Solemnities, protesting that in his Opinion the Christians had just cause of sorrow, having lost such [...] King, whose equal for Justice and Va­lour the whole World could not pro­duce. He died without Issue, when he had Reigned about one and twenty years.

CHAP. XVI.

ALmerick Brother to King Baldwin, and Earl of Joppa and Askelon, suc­ceeded to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but was, before he could be admitted to his Coronation, enjoyned by the Popes Le­gate, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to put away Anes his Wife, Daughter to Joce­line, Count of Edessa, because she was his Cousen in the fourth degree, with this reservation, that the two Children, Bald­win and Sybill, which he had by her, should be accounted legitimate, and ca­pable of their Fathers Possessions.

In this Kings time the Sultan of Jce­nium freely imbraced the Christian Reli­gion, and was baptized, more of his Courtiers designing to follow him there­in, [Page 74]had not his Ambassador then at Ro [...] taken great offence at the vicious and de­bauched lives which he there observe [...] the Christians to lead; which thing ma [...] many of the Pagans step back, when the had one foot in the Church, abhorring to see Christians who believe so well and live so ill.

Not long after the great Master of the Assassines offered to receive the Chri­stian Faith, which good intention wa [...] spoiled by the base and treacherous kil­ling his Ambassador, which he sent t [...] Jerusalem, to treat with the King about it, by one of the Templars, [...] The King demanded the Murderer of the Master of the Templars, that so Ju­stice might pass upon him: But the Ma­ster insolently denied to deliver him, say­ing, he had already injoyned him Pe­nance, and intended to send him to the Pope, but would part with him to none else.

These Assassines were a certain precise Sect of Mahometans, who had in them the very spirit and quintessence of that poisonous Superstition; they were about forty thousand in number, and were pos­sessed of six Cities near Antaradus in Syria, having over them a Chief Master whom they called the Old Man of the [Page 51]Mountains, at whose command they would refuse no pain or peril, but imme­diately address themselves to assassinate my Prince whom he had appointed out for death, and always find hands to ac­complish whatsoever he enjoyed. There are now none of them left, they being rooted out and destroyed by Selemus the Turkish Emperour, when he conquered Syria and Aegypt, or as others say, by the Tartarians Anno 1257. unless we may suppose them to be revived again in the Jesuits gracious Loyola, having fetched his Platform of blind obedience from them.

Whilst the Turks Lorded it over Syria, and the lesser Asia, the Saracen Caliph commanded in Aegypt, which was the Stage whereon most of the remark­able passages of King Almericks life were acted. For Dargan and Sanar, two great Saracen Lords belonging to the Caliph of Aegypt, falling out about the Sultany, or Viceroyship of the Land, made way for the calling of him thither.

Sanar finding that he was too weak to contend with his Rival, craved Aid of Noradine King of the Turks, that then Reigned at Damascus, who sent him an Army of Turks under the Command of Syracon, an experienced Captain. Not­withstanding [Page 76]which, Dargan obtained the Victory, but enjoyed it not long, be­ing shortly after slain by Treachery whereby Sanar got the Sultans place. It the mean while the voluptuous Calip [...] carelesly pursued his private pleasures without concerning himself about their difference, or regarding their introdu­cing forreign Force to decide their Quar­rel, as though the tottering of his King­dom had rocked him into a Lethargy out of which nothing would awake him.

Sanar having now obtained his desire by the death of Dargan, liberally re­warded the Turks, and desired them to return home; but Syracon refused to be gone; and having seized on the City of Belbis, fortified it, and there waited for the coming of more Turks for the Con­quest of Aegypt, which made Sanar im­plore the help of Almerick King of Jeru­salem to drive them out of Aegypt, which he effectually performed.

But whilst he was Victorious in Aegypt an unfortunate Battel was fought be­tween Boemund the Third Prince of An­tioch, Reimund Prince of Tripoli, Calamar [...] Governour of Cilicia, and Joceline Coun [...] of Edessa on one side, and Noradine the Turkish King on the other; wherein the Turk obtained the Victory, and took [Page 77]those four Christian Princes Prisoners.

As for Syracon the Turk, though he was forced to retire for the present out of Egypt by the Victorious Arms of Al­merick, yet he resolved not to part with it so; wherefore he presently went to the Caliph of Babylon, who was opposite to him of Egypt, and accounted him an Usurper (each of them claiming, as sole Heir to Mahomet their false Prophet, the Sove­raignty over all the Saracens in the World) and offered him, that if he would furnish him with a good number of Souldiers, he would extirpate this Schismatical Caliph, and reduce all Egypt to the Obedience of the Babylonian; which motion being joyfully embraced by the greedy and aspiring Fop, Syracon once again invadeth Egypt with a great and powerful Army.

Whereupon Sanar, who was greatly affrighted thereat, made new and larger offers to King Almericus, to come and stop this deluge of his Enemies, pro­mising him a Pension of Forty thousand Ducats yearly, if he would lend him his Assistance. But Almerick perceiving that the Sultan, notwithstanding he took so much upon him, was subject to a high Lord, refused to make any Bargain with him, but with the Caliph himself, in or­der [Page 78]whereunto he sent Hugh Earl of [...] ­sarea, and a Knight Templar as his E [...] ­bassadours to Caliph Elhadach, who th [...] kept his Court at Cairo: Who being a [...] rived at his Palace, were conducted [...] the Sultan through several dark passag [...] well guarded with armed Ethiopians, a [...] then into divers spacious open Courts, such beauty and riches, that the Emba­sadours were amazed, and even astonis [...]ed at the rarities they beheld. And s [...] the farther they went, the greater t [...] state appeared, till at last they we [...] brought to the Caliphs own Loding [...] where, as soon as they entred the Pr [...] ­sence-Chamber, the Sultan prostra [...] himself three several times to t [...] ground before the Curtain, behind whi [...] the magnificent Caliph was sitting, a [...] thereupon the Traverse, which was [...] rich Silk, wrought all over with Pea [...] of inestimable value was immediate drawn, and the Caliph himself discover [...] sitting with great Majesty on a Thro [...] of massy Gold, having only some few [...] his most confiding Eunuchs about him.

The Caliph having discovered himsel [...] and the Sultan humbly kissed his feet, [...] briefly related the cause of their comin [...] the eminent danger which then threa [...] ­ned them, and the offers which he h [...] [Page 79]made to King Almerick, which he in­treated him now to ratifie, and in de­monstration thereof, to give his hand to [...]he Kings Embassadour. The Calip' [...] having heard what he had to say, demur­ [...]ed a while upon the Ceremony of gi­ [...]ing them his hand, accounting such a ge­ [...]ure beneath the greatness of his state, [...]nd would by no means consent to give [...]em his bare hand, but offered it them with his Glove on, to which the reso­ [...]te Earl of Caesarea replied, Sir, truth [...]eks no holes to hide it self in, and Prin­ [...]es who intend to keep Covenant, ought [...] deal openly and nakedly; give us there­ [...]re your hand, or we will make no bar­ [...]in with your Glove. He was loth to [...]o it, but necessity, which was at that [...]me a more imperious Caliph than him­ [...]lf, commanding it, he at last consented, [...]nd dismissed the Christian Embassadours [...]ith such liberal Gifts as testified his [...]reatness.

Almerick, according to this Agree­ [...]ent, faithfully used his utmost endea­ [...]our to expel Syracon with his Turks out [...]f Egypt, and in order thereunto he met [...]hem in the Field, and gave them Battel, [...]herein he got the day, but lost all his [...]aggage, so that the Conquest was as it [...]ere divided, the Turks gaining the [Page 80]Wealth, and the Christians the Hono [...] of the Victory. But Almerick followi [...] his success, pursued them to Alexandr [...] and pent them up, and straitly besieg [...] them in that City, and thereby for [...] them to accept of conditions of Pea [...] wherein they were obliged to depart [...] of Egypt, without performing what th [...] had promised, and the Caliph of Baby expected, and then returned himself w [...] honour to Askelon.

But when a Crown is the Prize play [...] for, it is vain to expect fair play in [...] Gamesters. For King Almerick hav [...] once beheld the Beauty and Riches [...] Egypt, was so enamoured therewith, t [...] he longed to obtain that Kingdom [...] himself: And the next year, contr [...] to his Solemn League with the Cal [...] invaded it with a great Army, pretend [...] (though falsly) that the Caliph wo [...] make a private Peace with Nora [...] King of the Turks. Guilbert Master the Hospitallers, was the chief Instrum [...] in stirring up the King to this treac [...] ­rous and unjust War, hoping that [...] Country of Perlusium, if conquered, sho [...] be given to their order: But the Te [...] ­plars very much opposed the design ( [...] of their Order being Embassador at [...] ratifying the Agreement between [...] [Page 81]King and Caliph) and with much Zeal [...]otested against it, as undertaken against [...]ath and Fidelity.

However, the King would not be di­ [...]erted from his design, but having made [...]reat preparations for this War, descend­ [...]d into Egypt, where he was for a while [...]ccessful, and won the City of Belbis or [...]erlusium. Notwithstanding which Au­ [...]ors, from that time, date the ill Success [...]f the Holy War, and shew us a whole [...]loud of Miseries, which immediately fol­ [...]wed thereupon; and no wonder, for God [...]ldom lets Perjury go long unpunished.

First, Whilst Almerick was absent in Egypt, Noradine won divers considerable [...]laces about Antioch.

Secondly, Meller Prince of Armenia, [...]ho was a Christian, entred into a [...]eague with Noradine, and kept it in­ [...]iolable, to the great disadvantage of the King of Jerusalem, which act of Mellers must be condemned, and yet the Justice of God ought to be admired in punish­ [...]ng the Christians thereby, for their [...]reach of Covenant with the Saracens [...]n Egypt.

Thirdly, The Saracens finding them­selves faithlesly dealt with, & laid at on all sides, began to learn War, and grew good Souldiers on a sudden; and although they [Page 82]formerly fought with Bows only, yet no [...] they learned of the Christians to use a [...] offensive and defensive Weapons, it bein [...] usual with rude Nations to better them [...] selves by fighting with a skilful Enem [...]

And Fourthly, Almericks hope of co [...] ­quering Egypt was wholly frustrated, b [...] ­ing after some few Victories drive [...] out, and the whole Kingdom conquere by Saladine (Nephew to Syracon) wh [...] beat out the Caliphs brains when he pr [...] ­tended to do him reverence, and there [...] changed the Government of Egypt fro [...] the Saracen Caliph to a Turkifh King. A [...] shortly after, upon the death of Noradi [...] the Kingdom of the Turks in Syria, an [...] the lesser Asia, was likewise bestowe [...] upon him, whereby he became the mo [...] ­potent Monarch in the World.

Whilst Jerusalem was left as a po [...] Weather-beaten Kingdom, bleak an [...] open to the Storms of its Enemies o [...] every side, lying as it were between th [...] Lions Teeth, Damascus on the North [...] and Egypt on the South, two pote [...] Turkish Kingdoms united under a valian [...] and successful Prince, which made A [...] ­merick fend for Succours into Europ [...] there being now but few Voluntie [...] flocking to this service, and Souldie [...] were forced to be pressed with import [...] ­nity [Page 83]before they would consent to under­ [...]ake the Voyage: But it being just with God, that those who had betrayed the [...]aracens, whom they undertook to suc­ [...]our, should want succour themselves, [...]hen they stood most in need of it; his Embassadours were forced to return [...]ithout any other supplies than pity and [...]ommiseration.

And Lastly, The King himself, wea­ [...]ied with so many successive miseries, [...]nded his life of a Bloody Flux, when he [...]ad reigned about Eleven years, leaving [...]esides his two Children by his first Wife, one Daughter named Isabel by Mary his second Wife (Daughter to John Proto-Sebastus, a Grecian Prince) who was afterward married to Humphred the third Prince of Thorone.

CHAP. XVII.

Baldwin his Son, the fourth of that name, succeeded his Father, having had the benefit of an excellent Educa­tion under William Arch-Bishop of Tyre, a very Pious Learned Man, skilled in all the Oriental Tongues, besides the Dutch and French, his Native Languages. He­raclius, who was now Patriarch of Jeru­salem, being preferred to that Dignity for his handsomness, by Queen Mary, se­cond Wife to King Almerick, and Mo­ther to Baldwin, was a man of a debauched and vicious life, keeping company with a Vintners Wife, whom he maintained in great state like an Empress, so that she was generally saluted by the name of Pa­triarches. His ill Example infected the inferiour Clergy, whose corrupt man­ners [Page 85]was a sad presage of the approach­ing Ruine of that Kingdom.

This Man was sent by King Baldwin, as his Embassadour to Henry the Second King of England, to crave his personal as­sistance in the Holy War, and as an in­ducement thereunto, to deliver him the Royal Standard of that Kingdom, the Keys of our Saviours Sepulchre, the Tower of David, and the City of Jeru­salem. Henry was chosen out before any other Prince, because the world justly esteemed him valiant, wise, rich and for­tunate, and which was the main, that so he might thereby expiate his Murther, and gather up again the innocent Blood that he had spilt in the death of Thomas Becket. And that he might the more ea­sily be drawn to undertake the Voyage, the Patriarch intitled him to the King­dom of Jerusalem, because Geoffrey [...]n­tagenet his Father was Son to Fulco the Fourth King of Jerusalem. But he was too wise a Prince to be so easily wheed­led. However, he pretended he would go, and got together a Mass of Money towards the defraying the Charge of his Voyage, making every one, as well the Clergy as the Laity, pay that year the Tenth of all their Revenues, both mo­vables and immovables; and when he [Page 86]bad filled his Purse, all men expected he should perform his promise, but he changed the Voyage into Palestine for a Journey into France.

The Patriarch, while he stayed in England, consecrated the Temple Church near St. Dunstans in the West, and the House adjoyning belonging then to Knights Templars, but since employ­ed to a better use, viz. the entertaining those Gentlemen who study and practise the English Laws.

In the minority of King Baldwin, who was but thirteen years old, Milo de Planci a Nobleman, was Protector of the King­dom, whose Pride and Insolence could not be endured by the great men, and therefore they got him to be stabb'd at Ptolemais, and chose Raimund Count of Tripoli to suceeed him.

And Saladine, having now seriously re­solved upon the Ruine of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, endeavoured to furnish himself with such Souldiers as might be most fit for that service; in order where­unto he bought a great number of Slaves of the Circassians, a People by the Lake of Meotis near Taurica Chersonesus, who were brought up to be extream hardy, and inured to War by their continual skirmishing with the neighbouring Tar­tars.

Those Slaves he trained up in Military Discipline after the Turkish manner. They had most of them been Christians, and were baptized in their Infancy; but being taken from their Parents whilst young, they were untaught Christ, and instructed in the Mahometan Supersti­tion, whereby they became the more implacable Enemies to Christianity, for having been once its friends. They re­ceived from Saladine the name of Mam­malukes, and were so couragious and ex­pert in War, that his, and his Successors greatness, was not to be so much attribu­ted to their own Conduct, as to those Mammalukes Valour, till at last percei­ving their own strength, they wrested the Soveraignty from the Turkish Kings, and advanced one of their own number to the Regal Dignity.

Saladine having thus furnished himself with a new sort of Souldiers, resolved to try their Valour upon the Christian, and therefore invaded the Holy Land, slay­ing and burning all before him, till he came to Askelon, where King Baldwin then was, before which he sate down, and closely besieged it. And Count Rai­mund, Protector of the Kingdom, Philip Earl of Flanders, and the chief strength of the Kingdom being then absent in [Page 88] Celosyria, wasting the Country about Emis­sa and Cesarea. Baldwin was forced to keep himself close in the City, not daring to venture on so strong an Enemy; which fear of Baldwins having possessed Saladine with a belief that he needed not so great an Army to lie before the City, he sent out several Parties to forrage and spoil the Country, which the King observing, resolved to take opportunity by the fore­lock, and set on him when he least expected it. To which end he sallied out with great privacy and silence, and with about four hundred Horse, & a few Foot­men, suddenly assaulted his secure Ene­mies with such invincible Courage and Resolution, that notwithstanding their number, being Twenty six thousand Horse and Foot, they were utterly routed, and the Christians returned with great Tri­umph and Joy to Jerusalem.

But Saladine, who was rather inraged than daunted by this overthrow, resolved not to be long before he recovered his credit, and therefore, about two months after he fell with his Mammalukes, like a mighty and raging Tempest, upon the Christians as they were dividing the spoil of a Party of Turks, whom they had van­quished a little before, putting most of them to the Sword, and the rest to flight [Page 89]and taking Otto Grand Master of the Templars, and Hugh, Son-in-law to the Count of Tripoli Prisoners, the King him­self hardly escaping: So that both sides having sufficiently smarted, consented to refresh themselves with a short Peace, under the shelter whereof, their troubled States breathed quietly for the space of about two years, which Truce was the more willingly embraced by Saladine, be­cause a Famine then raged in the King­dom of Damascus, where it had scarcely rained for five years together.

But this welcom Calm was somewhat troubled with an unexpected Storm rais­ed by Domestick Discords in King Bald­wins Court. For the Kings Mother and Uncle, two persons of turbulent spirits, accused the Count of Tripoli of Treason, as if he had, when he was Governour of the Kingdom, affected the Crown for himself; which accusation so stung the King in the head, that the Count com­ing shortly after to Jerusalem, was, as he was on the way thither, command­ed to stay, which he looked upon as a great disgrace. But some of the Nobility fearing the mischiefs which might pro­ceed from this unhappy difference, brought them to be reconciled. But, though the matter was seemingly made up, [Page 90]yet the King ever after looked upon the Earl with a jealous Eye. And the Earl seeing himself suspected, proved after­wards really treacherous and disloyal, though he is supposed by most Histori­ans to be innocent of what he was then charged withal.

The Kingdom of Damascus having now recovered its self from the Famine, and Saladine obtained his ends by the Truce, would observe it no longer; wherefore having gotten together a good Army, he marcht out of Egypt through Palestine, destroying and spoiling the Country all along as he went to Damas­cus. And having strengthened himself with the addition of what Forces he had in Syria, he entred the Holy Land again. But the King, who had not above seven hundred Men to twenty thousand, met him at a small Village called Frobolt, and opposing Valour to his multitudes, over­threw him in a great and bloody Battel, wherein Saladine himself was forced by speedy flight to escape the danger, and by long Marches get him again to Damascus. Nor had he any better success, when shortly after he besieged Berytus, being forced by the valour and courage of Bald­win to raise his Siege, and depart with dis­grace.

Wherefore Saladine finding such tough resistance in the Holy Land, hoped to gain a better purchase by imploying his Arms in Mesopotamia, to which end passing the River Euphrates, he won Char­ran, and divers other Towns, after which, returning again into Syria, he besieged Aleppo, which was the strongest place the Christians had in the whole Country, be­ing so fortified both by Nature and Art, that it would have been almost impossible for him to have taken it, had he not by his Bribes made a far larger Breach in the Governours Loyalty, than he was able to do in the Walls of the City.

But having by this means possessed himself of Aleppo, he marched again into the Holy Land, being now more formi­dable than ever he had been before; and carrying an Army of Terrour in the very mention of his name, so that the poor Christians unanimously fled into their fenced Cities. As for King Baldwin, the Leprosie had arrested and confined him within the compass of his own Court, where his great spirit long strove with his infirmity, being loth to part with his Crown, and disrobe himself of his Royal­ty, before they were pluckt away by death; but was however forced at last to stoop and retire himself to a private [Page 92]life, appointing Baldwin his Nephew (a Child of five years old) to be his Succes­sor, and Guy Earl of Joppa, and Askelon, who was the young Childs Father in­law, to be Protector of the Realm in his minority. But soon after finding Guy to be a silly, soft man, he revoked the latter Act, and designed Raimund Earl of Tripoli to succeed him.

Guy, who though he was not valiant, yet was very sullen, stormed extreamly at his disgrace, and leaving the Court in discontent, returned home, and fortified his Cities of Joppa and Askelon, which greatly perplexed the Kings thoughts, not knowing whom to name for Prote­ctor, fearing lest Guys cowardliness should lose the Kingdom to the Turks, or Raimunds treachery get it for himself, so that anguish of mind, and weakness of body ended his days, when he was about five and twenty years of age, happy in dying before the death of his Kingdom.

CHAP. XVIII.

IT hath ever been accounted one of the greatest happinesses that can be­fal a Family, for the Heirs to be of Age before their Fathers death, in regard Mi­nors have not only been the Ruine of Fa­milies, but the overthrow of Kingdoms too. And it being one of Gods threat­nings against a wicked and disobedient People to give Children to be their Princes, and Babes to Rule over them, he scourged the Kingdom of Jerusalem three several times with that Rod, within the compass of forty years. Baldwin the Third, Fourth and Fifth, being all under Age, and the last but five years old being the Posthumus Son of William Marquets of Montferat, by Sybil his Wife, Sister to Baldwin the Fourth, and Daughter to King Almerick, who was after the death of the Marquess married to this Guy.

Now the Earl of Tripoli demanding to be Protector of this young King, accord­ing [Page 94]to the designation of his Uncle be­fore his death; Sybil, who was Mother to this Infant, to defeat Raimunds hopes of obtaining the Protectorship, first mur­thered all natural affections in her own breast, and then murthered her Son, by giving him a dose of Poison, that so the Crown in her right might come to Guy her Husband. This Prince unhappy in springing from so inhuman and barbarous a Mother, Reigned but eight Months and eight Days.

Baldwin being thus dispatched, Guy ob­tained by large Bribes to the Templars, and Heraclius the Patriarch, to be imme­diately crowned, from which time the Christians affairs in the Kingdom of Je­salem, posted towards their fatal period, being spurr'd on the faster by the woful jarrings and discords among the Prin­ces. But we shall at present leave the Ci­vil, to discourse a little of the Ecclesiasti­cal affairs of this declining Realm.

Whilst Heraclius was Patriarch of Je­rusalem, one Hymericus injoyed that ho­nour at Antioch, who wrote a bemoaning Letter to Henry the Second of England, wherein he much lamented the woful state of the Christians in the East, and endeavoured to persuade that Prince to undertake a Voyage into Palestine for their [Page 95]succour and relief; and received from him in answer thereunto a Letter fraught with fair and ample promises, the per­formance whereof I could never yet meet with in any of those Historians, who wrote the Transactions of the Holy War.

But besides those Latine Patriarchs which commanded in the Churches of Jerusalem and Antioch, there were Grecian Anti-Patriarchs, who were ap­pointed by the Emperour of Constanti­nople, and having no temporal Power nor Jurisdiction over the Latines, nor Profits of Church-Lands, were forced to content themselves with a Jurisdiction over those of the Greek Church only. We are not able to find out the exact Chain of their Succession, and therefore are forced to content our selves with disco­vering here and there a Link. And about this time we light on three that enjoyed that titular Dignity successively one after another; the first whereof was Athanasius, who was (notwithstanding his being called Schismatick by some of the Historians of that Age) a very learned and pious Man, as appears by the many excellent Epistles which he wrote upon several oc­casions. The second was Leontius, com­mended likewise to Posterity for an ho­nest Man, and a good Scholar. The third [Page 96]was Dositheus, who was much inferiour to the two former both for Piety and Learning, and being offered the Patriarch­ship of Constantinople, by Isaac the Gre­cian Emperour, he attempted to grasp at both, and by that means held neither, but between two Patriarchal Chairs fell ir­recoverably to the ground.

In Antioch likewise we find several Greek Patriarchs, whereof one, whose name was Sotericus, being displaced for several Heretical Tenets which he held concerning our Saviour, he was succeeded by Theodorus Balsamon, who was in his time the very Oracle of the Civil Law, compiling and publishing many Learned Commentaries upon the Ancient Ca­nons, wherein he proved the Patriarch of Constantinople to have greater privi­ledges than the Bishop of Rome, catching, say the Romanists, at every thing that sounded to the advancing of the Eastern Churches, and the pulling down Rome, when she lifts up her Head above Con­stantinople, for which reason Bellar min will not allow him to be a good Author. This Balsamon was likewise deceived by Isaac the Grecian Emperour, who pretended that he would remove him to Constanti­nople, upon condition he could prove the Translation of Patriarchs to be law­ful, [Page 97]in regard the Canons forbid it; but having performed the task, the Emperour, who was very mutable in his mind, be­stowed the Patriarchs place upon another, and left Balsamon to remain still at Antioch.

There being about this time a Truce between the Turks and Christians, and Saladine's Mother, supposing her self suffi­ciently guarded thereby, adventuring to travel from Egypt to Damascus, with abundance of Treasure, and a very small Train, she was, notwithstanding the Truce, surprized, and riffled of all she had by Reinold of Castile, which base and unchristian act so inraged Saladine, that gathering together all his strength, he immediately besieged Ptolemais. And the Earl of Tripoli vext at his losing the Go­vernment, was so blinded by passion, and filled with rage against King Guy, that he mistook his Enemy, and revenged himself on God and Religion, by basely revolting with his whole Principality (which was a third part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem) to Saladine, and assisting him in that Siege.

But the Knights Templars and Hospi­tallers sallying out, & falling on the Turks in their Camp, killed 20000 thousand of them, but not without some loss to them­selves; the Master of the Hospitallers, [Page 98]and divers other persons of note being slain in the Fight. However, th [...] Victory remained to the Christians, an [...] Saladine was forced to raise his Siege an [...] be gone, which made the Earl of Tripol [...] either out of fear that the Christian [...] might prevail, or else moved thereun [...] out of remorse of Conscience, or disco [...] ­tented with the entertainment he me withal from Saladine (who had learne [...] that Politick Maxim, to give some ho­nour, but place no trust in a Fugitive) re­concile himself to the King, and sor­ry for his offence, return again to th [...] Christians.

Whereupon Guy gathered togethe [...] the whole strength of his weak and de­clining Kingdom, to do their last endea­vour against the Turks, to whom he ad­ventured to give Battel near Tiberias, al­though he had but 1500 Horse, and 15000 Foot against 120000 Horse, and 160000 Foot. The Fight began about three of the Clock in the afternoon, but night coming on, forced them to give over till the next morning, when both sides began afresh, and the Christians fought with so much courage and resolu­tion, that their valour poised their Ene­mies numbers, till at length the day waxing extream hot, turned the Scales to [Page 99]the Pagans side, there being more Chri­stians slain by thirst, and the Beams dart­ed on them from the scorching Sun, than with their Enemies weapons. Reinold of Castile was slain upon the place, and so were most of the Templars and Hospi­tallers. And Gerard Master of the Tem­plars, and Boniface Marquess of Montfe­rat were taken Prisoners, together with the King himself, who seeing his servants all slain before his Eyes, with much im­portunity prevailed with Saladine to spare his Schoolmaster; yea in this unfor­tunate Battel the very flower of the Chri­stians Chivalry was cut down, and what was yet most lamented (saith Matthew Paris) the Cross which freed men from the captivity of their sins, was for mens sins taken captive. This fatal Overthrow was generally imputed to the Earl of Tripoli, who that day commanded a good part of the Christian Army, and is re­ported by some Historians to have trea­cherously run away in the midst of the Battel. But when a great action miscarries, some or other must bear the blame; and he having been false before, this loss was charged on him right or wrong.

Saladine having obtained this Victory, improved it so well, that in one months time he conquered Berytus, Biblus, Ptole­mais, [Page 100]and all the Havens except Ayre fro [...] Sidon to Askelon. He used his Conque [...] with great moderation, giving life an [...] goods to all, and forcing no Christians [...] quit their habitations, save only the L [...] ­tines, knowing full well, that if the Chri­stians could not buy their lives chea [...] they would not fail to sell them dear, a [...] fight it out to the last man.

Saladine flushed with this great succe [...] summon'd Askelon, but the Governo [...] refusing to surrender it, he concluded would not be convenient to hazard th [...] checking of his fortune in so long a Sieg [...] and therefore left it, and went to Jerus [...] ­lem, which he looked upon to be a pla [...] of less difficulty, and more honour [...] conquer; and so indeed he found it; f [...] though they within the City valiantly de­fended it for about fourteen days, yet a last considering that it was but playing out a desperate game, which must cer­tainly be lost in the end, in regard the [...] Enemies were near, and their Friends f [...] off, and unable to send them any othe [...] relief than vain and helpless pity, they re­solved to lavish out no more valour, b [...] yield up the City upon condition th [...] all their lives might be redeemed, [...] man for Ten, a woman for five, and child for one Besent. But 14000 w [...] [Page 101]were not able to discharge their Ransom, were kept as perpetual Slaves. Those of the Greek Church were permitted to stay in the City, but all the Latines were commanded to depart, except two Frenchmen, to whom Saladine gave leave to stay, and allowed them maintenance to live on, in Reverence to their great Age; one of them having been a Soldi­er under Godfrey, when he first took the City, and the other the first Child that was born in it, after it was conquered by the Christians.

Thus Jerusalem after it had been enjoy­ed by the Christians for the space of eigh­ty eight years was, by the just Judgment of God, wrested from them again by the Turks and all their stately Churches turn­ed into Stables, except those of the Se­pulcher, and the Temple. The former whereof Saladine spared for a great Sum of Money, to the Chiristians, which is enjoyed by them to this day, by licence from the Grand Signior, and innumerable Pilgrimages continually made to it, by all sorts of Christians either out of Zeal or Curiosity. And the other he Convert­ed to a Mosque for the Worship of Ma­homet, sprinkling it all over with Rose­water, as if he intended thereby to cleanse it from its Profanation by the Christians, [Page 102]whilst he really defiled it by his unholy washing.

It was generally observed that the Sun, as sympathizing with the Christians in their approaching Miseries, suffered an Eclipse, which was afterward looked upon as a sad presage of the loss of tha [...] City. But that which was much more de­plorable and threatning than the Suns E­clipse, was the total Eclipse of Piety; Wickedness abounding in every corner, and scarce one honest Woman to be found in the whole City of Jerusalem; For Heraclius the Patriarch, and the whole Clergy, being exceedingly debaucht, the Laity imitated their bad Example.

When this doleful News of Jerusalem' [...] loss arrived in Europe, it filled every Eye with Tears, and swelled all Hearts with Sorrow and Anguish.

CHAP. XIX.

IN this sad & deplorable State, stood the affairs in Palestine, when Conrade ar­rived there; whose Worth and Excellence commands my Pen to attend him from his own Country thither. He was Son to Boniface Marquess of Montferrat, who was taken Prisoner in that Fatal Battle wherein King Guy lost himself and his Kingdom. His Youth was for the most part spent in the Service of Isaaccius An­gelus the Grecian Emperour; who being bred in a Monastery, the confining of his Body seemed to have brought him to a pent and narrow Soul, and indued him with Accomplishments more becoming a Priest than a Prince: For when his Re­bellious Subjects affronted him to the face, instead of sending an Army against them, to reduce them to their obedience he only committed his cause to a compa­ny [Page 104]of Bald-pated Friers, whom he kept in his Court, to pray for his Prosperity; Hoping that, by their supposed Pious Tears, he should be able to quench the Combustions of his Empire. But this Con­rade told him plainly, that if ever he intended to sit upon the Imperial Throne in Peace, he must make use of the Wea­pons of the left Hand, as well as those of the right, and Fight as well as Pray. Which advice being taken by the Empe­rour, he did, by the help of this General, quickly subdue all his Enemies: But our brave Conrade found but a small reward for so great a service, being only graced, in consideration thereof, to wear his Shoes of the Imperial Fashion; And it being usu­al with Princes, not to love the sight of those to whom they know themselves obliged, and yet care not to reward, Isa­accius, by the perswasion of some about him, who envied his Courage and Bra­very, spurred on Conrade, who was free e­nough of himself to any Noble Enterprize, to go into Palestine, and endeavour to support the ruinous affairs of the afflicted Christians. And although he was sensible of their Plot yet, being weary of the Grecians baseness, he suffered himself to be prevailed upon to undertake that Honour­able Imployment, and therefore set for­ward, [Page 105]with all convenient speed, for the Holy Land, with a gallant Band of Gen­tlemen, who fitted out themselves at their own charge, wherewith he march­ed to the City of Tyre, where we will leave him for the present, to return again to Saladine.

Who having won the City, and pos­sessed himself of the greatest part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, laid close Siege to the City of Askelon, which had refus­ed to surrender, when Ptolemais and the rest yielded to his victorious Arms; but was now, after a short Siege, delivered to him, upon condition that King Guy & Ge­rard, Masters of the Templars, should be sett at Liberty And shortly after the Cas­tle of Antioch was betrayed to him by the Patriarch: And Antioch it self, which cost the Christians 11 Months Siege was by that means lost in an instant, besides seve­ral Provinces thereunto belonging, & Five & Twenty strong Towns more, which fol­lowed the like Fate with Antioch, and fell into the Possession of the Turks. After which he sat down likewise before Tripo­li, but that City being, after the death of Earl Reimond, delivered to the Christians by his Wife, they Bravely defended it a­gainst all Saladines Force, so that having once tasted of their Valour in Tripoli he [Page 106]had no great Stomach to make a second trial, but raised his Siege, and marched away to Tyre, where he hoped to speed better. But he found himself greatly mis­taken, for Conrade being a little before got thither with his Army, gave him so hot a Welcome that he was glad to fly, and leave all his Tents behind him, which were sufficiently lined with Treasure, whereby the Christians had the happiness to inrich themselves with their own Spoil.

Those in the City over-joyed at their great deliverance, chose Conrade to be King of Jerusalem, swearing Fealty to him, and promising to be for ever his Subjects, whose Valour had preserved them from being Saladines Slaves. And the better to strengthen his Title he mar­ried Elisa, or, as others call her, Isabella, Sister to Baldwin the fourth, and Daugh­ter to King Almerick.

So that King Guy, who was about this time delivered out of Prison having, when he was released, sworn never more to bear Arms against Saladine (which Oath the Clergy judged void, because forced from him when detained in Prison con­trary to promise) obtained his Liberty, but could not get his Kingdom: For com­ing to Tyre, he found the Gates shut a­gainst him, and his Subjects refusing to [Page 107]acknowledge any other King then Conrade. Whereupon Guy, packing up a Cloth of Remnants, with his broken Army, went and besieged Ptolemais, the Pisans, Vene­tians, and Florentines, with their Sea-For­ces, assisting him therein; But it went on notwithstanding so slowly, that it could hardly be perceived to have made any advance in a Twelve Months time.

Things going thus wofully to wrack in Palestine, the Christians sighs there alarm­ed their Brethren in Europe, to repair thither to their Succour, and among the rest Frederick Barbarossa, Emperour of Germany, moved by the strength of his Devotion, undertook a Voyage thither, when he was Seventy Years old, having one foot in the Grave, and yet adventure­ing, with the other, to go on Pilgrimage. He had been long chained to the Stake, as it were, and baited by several successive Popes, till at length wearied with their continual worrying of him, he gave up himself wholly to their direction, and was sent by Pope Clement the third, on this Errand into the Holy Land.

And having made great Preparations for this Adventure, he marched through Hungary, with a gallant Army of an Hundred and Fifty Thousand Valiant Men, being kindly received and Wel­comed [Page 108]by King Bela. But changing his Host, he changed his Entertainment to being basely used as he passed through the Grecian Empire: Insomuch that Frederick, contrary to his expectation, finding such perfidious dealing from the Greeks, drew his Sword, and resolving to fight his way through, took Philippople, Adrianople, and divers other Citys, not so much to get their Spoil, as to secure his passage to­ward Palestine. But when Isaaccius saw that those Pilgrims would either find or force their passage, he left off all terms of En­mity, and presently accommodated them with all things necessary for their Tran­sportation over the Bosphorus, pretend­ing to hasten them away, because the Christians Exigencies in Palestine admit­ted of no delay; although it was really the effect of his fear, the Greeks ever lov­ing the Latin, best when they were fur­thest off.

Old Frederick, having now left the treacherous Grecian Shore, and entred into the Turkish Territories, found great resistance from the Sultan of Iconium, whom he vanquished, and overcame in four several Battles; And then, besieging the City of Iconium, he took it by force and gave the Spoil of it to his Souldiers, to revenge the injury done by that Sultan [Page 109]to his Uncle Conrade the Emperour: And removing from thence to Philomela, he took that likewise, razing it to the ground, and executing the Inhabitants therein, as Rebels against the Law of Na­tions, for killing his Ambassadors; after which he passed with much difficulty, but more honour, into Syria.

Saladine shook for fear at the rumor of his coming, and thought it best to follow the advice of Charatux, his chief Counsel­lor, who was at that time accounted one of the wisest men in the world, tho his Per­son was mean and contemptible, and dis­mantled all his Citys, in the Holy Land, except his Frontire Towns that so they might not be tenable with an Army, fear­ing lest, if the Germans won those places, it would be no easy matter to drive them out again, but being naked from shelter, he thought he should soon weary them with set Battles, in regard he had Sol­diers without number, and those near at hand.

But Frederick, soon after he was entered into the Holy Land, was suddenly taken away being, to the great grief of all Chris­tians, unhappily drowned in the River of Saleph; the occasion whereof is vari­ously reported by Historians, but they all agree that there he lost his Life, and [Page 110]some of them, pretending to acquaint the World with the reason why the Al­mighty permitted this Fatal Accident, tell us, that it was because he had, in his Younger Years, fought against the Popes, and Church of Rome: But seeing so great an Emperour drowned in a shallow River, it was a great piece of audacious boldness in them, to adventure into the fathom­less depths of Gods secret Council: Let it suffice therefore for us to know that he who disposes of all humane affairs, ac­cording to his own Arbitrary Pleasure, sometimes blasts the fairest hopes, and makes the Feet of Monarchs to slip, just when they are stepping into their Enemies Throne.

After his death Frederick Duke of Su [...] via, his second Son, undertook the conduct of the Army, when the Turks, supposing that grief for the loss of the Emperor had steeped, and moistened those Pilgrims Hearts, and taken off the edg of their Valour, gave them a sudden charge, in hope to have overthrown them before they had recovered themselves; But the Valiant Dutch-men, though they had scarce wiped their Eyes, had however sufficiently scowred their Swords, and gave them so warm a welcom that they quickly forced [Page 111]them to retire. Then Frederick summon­ing the City of Antioch, had it presently delivered to him, where his hungry Souldiers being well refreshed by the Ci­tizens who were yet for the most part Christians, he marched forth in Battle Array, and meeting with Dodequin, Gene­ral of Saladines forces, he gave him a migh­ty overthrow, wherein he slew four thou­sand upon the place, and took a thousand Turks Prisoners, with little or no loss to himself. After which he went to the Ci­ty of Tyre, in the Cathedral Church whereof he buried the Corps of his wor­thy and warlike Father, near the Tomb of the Learned Origen: His Funeral Ser­mon being preached by the worthy Arch-bishop Gulielmus of Tyre.

So soon as the Emperors Funeral Rites were solemnly performed, they were con­veyed by Sea to the Christian Army before Ptolemais, where young Frederick died of the Plague, and all his huge Ar­my, which at their setting out of Germany consisted of an hundred and fifty thou­sand men, were now reduced to eighteen hundred onely

And thus, by following this numerous Army to their graves, we have once again overtaken the tedious and slow-paced siege of Ptolemais, before which place [Page 112]lay an Army that was, as it were, the a­bridgment of the Christian World, there being scarce a petty state or populous City in Europe, that had not some representati­tives there. So that there were many bloody Blowes lent on both sides, & repay­ed again with interest in innumerable Sallys, fierce Assaults, and bloody En­counters. The Christians lying between Saladine and the City were besieged them­selves, whilst they besieged Ptolemais. It was at last proposed by Saladine, that both sides should try their fortune in the field, which was easily assented to by the Christians, in hopes that they should thereby both obtain the victory and win the Ci­ty, which they concluded would not hold out long, if Saladine were beaten. But when they were going to ingage, an ima­ginary fear suddenly seizing them, they all turned their backs and fled; So waver­ing are the Scales of Victory, that some­times the least mote will turn them. In which confusion many would have thought themselves happy if they could have exchanged a strong Hand, for a swift Foot. But Geoffrey Lusignan, Brother to King Guy, who was left to guard the Camp, seeing the Christians shamefully to run away, marched out with his men to meet them, and having convinced them of [Page 113]the causelessness of their fear, and pre­vailed with them to return again, they set upon the Turks with so much fierce­ness and rage, that they quickly won the day, though it cost them the loss of two thousand men, and Gerard Master of the Templars.

After this victory it was vainly expect­ed by the Christians, that the City would presently be surrendred to them, but the Turks still continued to defend it with much resolution, though most of their houses were already burnt, or beaten down, and the whole City reduced to a perfect Sceleton of Walls and Towers. They fought with their wits as well as with their weapons, & both sides employ­ed themselves in devising strange & hither­to unknown offensive & defensive Engines: So that Mars himself, had he resided either in that Camp or City, might have learnt to fight and have informed himself in feats of war, from their practice. But in the mean time famine raged exceeding­ly in the Christian Camp, in regard they had no provision but what they were forced to send for, as far as Italy.

At this time under the Walls of Ptole­mais the Teutonick order of Dutch Knights, who had hitherto lived as private pilgrims, were honoured with a Grand Master, & their [...] [Page 116]were dispensed with by the Bishop of Rome. Most of his Forces he sent about by Spain, but went himself and some few of his friends through France, having his Pilgrims scrip and staff delivered him at Tours by the Arch-bishop, and at Ly­ons he met with the other Royal pilgrim, Philip the Second sirnamed Augustus, King of France, but parting again by consent they went several ways toward Syria.

King Richard, in his passage through I­taly, went within fifteen Miles of Rome, and yet never vouchsaf'd his Holiness a Visit, but told Octavian Bishop of Ostia, the Popes Confessor that, having better objects before him, he would not stir one step out of his way to see the Pope, because he had lately extorted, without all reason, a great Sum of Money from the English Prelates: And therefore passing forward, at Messina in Sicily the two Kings meet again; where likewise King Richard, to his exceeding joy, found his fleet safely ar­rived, but having met with much diffi­culty and danger in their passage. Richard learnt by his own experience, what miseries and dangers Merchants and Mar­iners at Sea meet withal, being always within a few inches, and after within an hairs breadth of death, which made him revoke the Law of Wracks, which intitled. the King of England to all Ship wrackt goods

Tankred was at this time King of Sicily, who, being a Bastard born, had usurped the Crown, detained the Dowrie, and imprisoned the person of Joan, Wife to William the Late King of Sicily, and Sister to K. Richard: So that he was in a miserable plight at the arrival of those two mighty Monarchs, and knew not what course to steer. To keep them out was impossi­ble, and above his Power, and to let them in was dangerous, and might prove his ruin, and therefore resolved (how Justly or Prudently let the Reader judge) to secure himself by creating a misunder­standing between those two Kings: And therefore applying himself to the French King, he insinuated several false Stories of the King of England, permitting his Subjects likewise to do the English all the secret mischief they could; for which Richard, who was not ignorant of what passed between him and the French King, demanded satisfaction, which was denied him, wherefore, resolving to avenge himself, he assaulted & took Messina it self, together with most of the chief Forts in the Island, demanding satisfaction for all the wrongs done both to himself and Sister. Where­upon Tankred, though he was dull at first, yet now being prickd with the Sword, he freely bled many Thousand Ounces of [Page 118]Gold, and finding that as the case stood hi [...] best Thrift was to be Prodigal, he gave ou [...] King what conditions soever he demanded.

However the misunderstanding, which he had procured between the two Royal Pilgrims, daily increased, and Richard slighting the French Kings Sister, whom he had formerly promised to marry, ex­pressed more affection to Berengari [...] Daughter to the King of Navarr, which vexed Philip to the Heart, but some Princes interposing between them, heal­ed the breach for the present; but the cause remaining, the Malady quickly re­turned with worse symptoms then before.

King Philip, thinking to be revenged on Richard by fore, staling the Market of Honour, and ingrossing all to himself, posted many to Ptolemais, whilst Richard followed after at his leisure, taking Cy­prus in his way, where reigned Isaac, Or, as others call him, Cursac, who, under An­dronicus the Grecian Emperour (when it was common for every Factious Noble­man to snatch a plank of that shipwrack'd and sinking Empire) had seized on that Island, and there Tyranniz'd as an absolute King, but being so fool-hardy, as to a­buse our Royal Pilgrim, at his Arrival there, by killing divers of his Souldiers, who landed in his Island, and refusing to [Page 119] [...]ermit the Sea-sick Lady Berengaria to [...]ome on Shore, he lost both himself, and [...]is new erected Kingdom at once. For [...]ing Richard easily conquered the whole [...]land, and honoured the insolent Grecian, with the Magnificent Captivity of Silver Fet­ters: Yet like a noble and generous Con­querour, he set his Daughter at Liberty, and gave her Princely Usage; the Island [...]he pawned to the Templars for ready Money, and because Cyprus had been an­ciently accounted the Seat of Venus; that it might prove so to him, in the pleasant Month of May he there solemnized his Marriage with his Beloved Lady Berengaria.

Whilst Richard was thus detained in Cyprus, the Siege of Ptolemais was carried on with abundance of fierceness and re­solution by the French King, who hoped to get the Renown of its Conquest be­fore King Richards Arrival, but found it so strenuously defended by the Turks with­in, that all his strength was not sufficient to force those Walls, which had now above 2 years withstood the Christians Batteries; & by reason of the length of the Siege the Turks and Christians were become well ac­quainted with each others Way of fighting: so that what advantages happened to ei­ther side were meerly casual, and not the [Page 120]effect of Carelesness or Cowardize in the losing party. But it was some help to the Christians, that a certain concealed Christian within the City, by Letters un­subscribed, gave them constant and faith­ful Intelligence of all remarkable passa­ges among the Turks within.

In the mean while the Plague and Fa­mine raged in the Christian Camp, and in the compass of one year, had swept a­way above Fifty Princes and Prelates of note, who together with all the rest of the common Souldiers, in the opinion of those who wrote the History of that Siege, went undoubtedly to Heaven; Al­though it were before Pope Clement the sixth, had commanded the Angels, (who durst not disobey him,) to convey every Soul into Paradice, which should die in their Pilgrimage.

Among those who survived, no Prince shewed more Valour, and deserved great­er commendation than Leopoldus, Arch-Duke of Austria, who fought so long in assaulting this City, that his Armour was all gore Blood, save only that part of it, which was covered with his Belt: For which reason renouncing the six Gold­en Larks, the Ancient Arms of his Fa­mily, he had assigned him by the Empe­rour, [Page 121]as a Testimony of his valour, a Fess Argentin a Field Gules.

And King Richard, being now at last arrived in the Camp before Ptolemais (having taken a Dromand or Saracen Ship, which he mett in his way thither, wherein were Fifteen Hundred Soldiers and two hundred and fifty Scorpions de­signed for the poysoning of Christians) the Siege was carried on by him, and his English Souldiers, more fiercely than ever it had been before. So that the Turks, des­pairing of relief and their provisions whol­ly spent, offered to yield up the City, which the Christians would not accept of, unless Saladine would promise to deliver all the Christian Prisoners which were then in his custody, and restore them the Cross again, which he promising to do, the City was delivered and the Turkish Soldiers guarded safely out of it.

The Houses, which were yet left stand­ing in the City, together with the Spoil and Prisoners were, by the Kings of En­gland and France, divided among them­selves, whereupon divers great Persons, who had been sharers in the pains, but were hereby excluded from the gains, de­parted in discontent, and King Richards Soldiers rudely pulled down the Arch-Duke [Page 122]of Austria's Ensigns, which he ha [...] advanced in a principal Tower in tha [...] City, and as some write, threw them in to the Jakes; whereat the Duke wa [...] highly displeased, but yet wisely dissen [...] ­bled his anger, and seemed to forget th [...] Injury, till he might remember it to hisad­vantage: which he afterwards did, & made King Richard pay severely for this affron [...].

When the City was taken, it grieve [...] the Christians, that they could not fin [...] out their Faithful Intelligencer, wh [...] had all along by his Letters acquainted them with the State of the City, b [...] more that the Cross did no where appear being either carelesly lost, or enviou [...] concealed by the Turks. They demanded [...] of Saladine, with the delivery of the Christian Prisoners; which he refused not but demanded a longer time for the per­formance, in regard the Cross could not be found. But King Richard supposing that it was only a pretence to gain time resolved to have all things performed ac­cording to their agreement, which being not done, he in the heat of his Passio [...] commanded Seven Thousand Turkish Pri­soners, to be immediately cut to pieces for which rash and cruel act, he suffere [...] much in his reputation, and was looke [...] upon as the Murtherer of the like num­ber [Page 123]of Christians, whom Saladine in re­venge, put to the Sword: whereas on the contrary, the moderation of the French King was very much commended for sparing his Prisoners, and reserving them to ransom so many Christians.

But that which most obscured the Glory of this Victory was the Christians being tent asunder with Faction, and divided among themselves. King Philip, the Dukes of Burgundy and Austria, most of the Dutch and all the Genoans and Templars, fiding with King Conrade, and King Richard, Henry Count of Champaigne, with the Hospitallers, the Venetians, and Pisans, taking part with Guy. Conrades side was very much weakned, by the sudden de­parture of the French King, who eighteen days, after the taking of Ptolemais, returned home, pretending want of necessaries, & in­disposition of body through the distemper of the Climate: but the true cause was his not induring to hear King Richards Fame so much transcend his own, together with a desire to seize on the Dominions of the Earl of Flanders, who was then lately dead.

His own Souldiers mightily disswaded him from returning, and besought him not to stop in so glorious a work, where­in he had prospered so well already, tel­ling [Page 124]him that Saladine being already on his Knees, he might peradventure be brought on his Face, if this Victory were well pursued: And since one of his pretences was want of necessaries, King Richard generously offered him one half of his Pro­visions, but all this would not prevail with him to stay, and therefore with great importunity, he obtained leave to depart; having first taken an Oath not to molest the King of Englands Dominions, during his stay in the Holy Land, which Oath was forgot as soon as he got home. And at his departure he left his instructions, to­gether with his Army, to the Duke of Burgundy, ordering him to move as slow­ly as possible, in advancing that work, wherein the King of England would have all the Honour, which rendred this great undertaking less advantagious to the Christians in Syria, than otherwise it might have been.

CHAP. I.

SOon after the French Kings depar­ture, Conrade King of Jerusalem was cruelly murthered in the Market­place of Tyre; the cause of whose Death [Page 2]is variously reported, some falsely charg­ing our King Richard with having pro­cured it, and others say, he was killed by Humphred Prince of Thoron, for marry­ing Isabella, who had been before espoused to him: But most affirm, that he was stab­bed by two Assassines by command of their Master the Old man of the Mountains, whose only Quarrel with him was, his being a Christian; and that the two Mur­therers being immediately taken and put to a cruel Death, Gloried in the Merito­riousness of their suffering. He had Reigned about five years, and left ont Daughter, Maria Jole, on whom the Tem­plers bestowed Princely Education.

But tho' Conrade was Dead, his Facti­on still survived, and those of his party affronted King Guy, and strove to have him deposed; telling him, that the Crown was only tyed on his Head with a Womans Fillet, which being now bro­ken, by the Death of Queen Sibyl who dyed together with all her Children, of the Plague at the Siege of Ptolomais, he had no longer any Right to the King­dom, especially, being a worthless and an unfortunate man: Tho' the truth is, the measuring a Princes worth by his Suc­cess, is a Rule often false, and always un­certain; and the common Consent of all [Page 3]Nations will plead this in his Favour, that having been once a King, he ought ever to remain so. But to put a sinal end to this unhappy Controversie, King Richard made a pleasing Motion, which rellished well to the Palate of that hun­gry Prince, offering him the Island of Cyprus, in exchange for his Kingdom of Jerusalem. Which motion was willingly imbraced, and the exchange actually made, to the Content of both parties, and the Kings of England bore the Title of King of Jerusalem in their style, for many years after. But in this exchange, Guy had really the better Bargain, in regard he bought a real Possession for an Airy Ti­tle: However, he lived not long to in­joy it, for he dyed soon after his Arrival there, but his Family injoyed it, for some hundred years, after which it fell by some Transaction, to the state of Ve­nice; and was at last wrested from them by the Turks, who injoy it at this day.

Conrade being killed, and Guy having renounced his Kingdom. Henry Earl of Champaign was advanced to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, by the procurement of King Richard his Uncle, who to corroborate his Election, by some Right of Succession, married Isabella the Widow of Conrade, and Daughter of Almerick King of Jeru­salem, [Page 4]he was a Prince valiant enough, but in regard his Reign was short, and most of it spent in a Truce; he had not an op­portunity to express it: He took more delight in the style of Prince of Tyre, then he did in that, of being King of Jerusalem, as accounting it more honou­rable, to be Prince of what he had, then to be called King of what he injoyed not.

And now the Christians promising them­selves abundance of Peace and Tranquility, began every where to build, and to beau­tifie their Habitations. The Templers fortified Gaza, and King Richard repair­ed and walled Ptolemais, Pomphyria, Jop­pa, and Askelon. But alass, this short liv'd Prosperity like an Autumn Spring, came too late, and was gone too soon, to bring forth any mature Fruit: How­ever it was now agreed on by all parties, that they should march immediately to­wards the City of Jerusalem, which Holy and Sacred place, was the mark at which they all principally Aimed. And having pre­pared all things for the putting this re­solution into Practice: King Richard lead the Vant Guard of English, the Duke of Burgundy Commanded in the main Body o­ver his French, and James of Avergn with his Flemings, and Brabanters brought up the Rear. Saladine who understood by [Page 5]his Spies, the manner of their march, Serpent like bit them by the Heels, for not far from Bethlehem, he violently as­saulted the Rear of their Army; but the English and French suddenly Wheeling about, charged the Turks most furiously, and Emulation formerly, Poyson, here proved a Cordial; every Christian unanimously striving, not only to Conquer their Ene­mies; but to overcome their Friends to, in the Honour of the Victory. And our Royal Pilgrim in this Battel was so ad­ventrous, and fought with such invincible Courage, and Resolution against those Enemies of Christianity, that his Valour brought his Judgment into question, in regard he was more careless of himself, and exposed his Person to greater danger, then beseemed the prudence of a General; for having received a Wound, as tho' by losing his Blood, he had received a new Addition to his Strength, he laid about him like a Mad-man, killing divers of the Infidels with his own hands. The Turks withstood the Christians force for a long time, and strove hard to carry a­way the Honour of the Day; but were at last forced to give Ground, and leave the Christians in the Possession of the Vi­ctory, which they obtained with little or no loss to themselves, save James of A­vergn, [Page 6]who dyed here in the Bed of Ho­nour. But there were more Turks slain in this Battel, then there had been in any other for forty years before.

And had the Christian improved this Victory, and marched immediately to Je­rusalem, they might in all Probability have surprized it, whilst the Turks were Blind-folded, and in a kind of a maze at this Prodigious overthrow: But the opportunity was wholly lost by the back­wardness of King Richard and his Eng­lish Soldiers, say the French Writers, whilst others impute it, altogether to the Envy, and Emulation of the French, who rather chose to have so Glorious an Action left undone, then to see it per­formed by the English, together with the Treachery of Odo Duke of Burgundy, who being more grieved for the loss of his Credit, than careful to preserve a good Conscience, was choaked with the shame of the sin which he had swallow­ed, and dyed for Grief, that his hold­ing Correspondence with the Turks, came to be discovered: But most are of the Opinion, that Richard attempted not the taking of Jerusalem, because like a wise Architect, he intended to build his Vi­ctories, so as they might stand unshaken, by securing the Country all along as he [Page 7]went. It being Sensless and Imprudent to besiege Jerusalem an In-land City, whilst the Turks were still in Possession of all the Sea-Ports, and other places of Strength thereabouts.

Sometime after this Victory, he inter­cepted divers Camels laden with very rich Commodities; those Eastern Wars containing a great deal of Treasure in a little Room. And yet of all this, and of all that abundance of Wealth of Eng­land, Sicily and Cyprus, which he brought hither, he carried nothing home, save only one Gold-Ring, all the rest being melted away, and consumed in this hot Service.

He spent the Winter at Askelon, and intended the following Spring to have gone to Jerusalem, had not bad News out of Europe altered his resolution, and put him in mind of returning home. William Bishop of Ely, whom he had left his Vice-Roy in England, used many unsuffe­rable Insolencies towards his Subjects: So hard and difficult a thing it is, for one of a mean and Contemptible Birth, to personate a King without going be­yond his Limits, and over Acting his part. And that which was yet worse, his Brother John Earl of Morton, had conspired with the French King to invade [Page 8]his Dominions. Which reports, and the concluding of this War, (a Subject not like­ly to answer the expence and Charge of of it; especially, now the Venetians, Ge­noans, Pisans and Florentines were gone away with their Fleet; wisely shrinking themselves out of the Collar, when they found their Necks too much Galled with their hard imployment;) made him desire a Peace of Saladine, who thereby finding, that he had all the Cords in his own hands, knew well enough how to play his Game, and make his best of those Exigencies wherein he knew King Richard to be plunged; for he had those about him, who had cunning and skill enough, to read in King Richards Face what griev­ed and perplexed his mind, and knew by his Spies every thing, that was worth Observation in the English Army. He offered therefore to Consent, that a Truce should be concluded on for three (some say five) years, upon condition that the Christians would demolish all places which they had fortified since the tak­ing of Ptolemais, which was in Effect to be at the Charge of undoing all that they had hitherto done. But however such was the urgency of King Richards occa­sion, that he was glad to accept of those hard Conditions, tho' he hated them at his Heart.

And thus this great undertaking of those two mighty and Warlike Kings, began with great Confidence, managed with much Courage, and attended with good Success, ended, notwithstanding with some Honour indeed to the under­takers, but no manner of Profit, either to themselves, or the Christian cause.

King Richard in this Voyage eternized his Memory, and to the Glory of the English Nation, render'd his Name so ter­rible to the Turks, that they were used to say to their Horses when they star­ted for fear, what dost thou think King Richard is here? But Profit, neither he, nor the French King got any, both of them loosing the Hair of their Head in an acute disease, which saith, one Histo­rian was more then either of them got by the Voyage. And as for the poor Christians in Syria, they left them in a far worse Case than they found them.

But to refresh the Readers Spirits a lit­tle, amidst so many Miseries and sad Stories, I must not omit one thing that King Richard did in Palestine, which was no doubt, an abundant Compensation for all the cost and pains of his Journey: Which was his redeeming from the Turks for a great sum of Money, a large Chest as much as four Men could lift, full of [Page 10]Holy Relicks, which precious Treasure they had gotten from the Christians, at the taking of Jerusalem.

King Richard having now signed the Peace with Saladine, and thereby ended his Pilgrimage, took Shipping in Syria to return to his Kingdom; but meeting with a Storm on the Coast of Germany, [Page 11]he suffered Shipwrack, and therefore re­solved to travel through that Country by Land, as being his nearest way home, with­out considering that the nearness of the way ought to have been measured, not so much by the shortness of it, as the safeness of it.

But however to prevent all danger, he disguised himself, and pretended to be one Hugo a Merchant, whose only Com­modity was himself, whereof he made but a bad Bargain; for being discovered in Austria by his large Expences, which so far exceeded the degree of a Merchant, that his Hostess detected him, and the common People flocking about him, used much Rudeness and Insolence towards him. And being seized on by the Duke, who resolved now to be revenged on him for the affront done him in Palestine; he sold him to Henry the Emperor, who kept him in Bonds, Charging him with a Thousand faults committed in Sicily, Cy­prus and Palestine, the Prooss whereof were as slender as the Crime, were small, so that Richard having an eloquent Tongue, an innocent Heart, and a bold Spirit, easily acquited himself of all those furious Charges, in the Judgment of all that heard him. However before he could obtain his Liberty, he was forced to pay [Page 12]a Ransom of an Hundred and Twenty Thousand Marks Collen weight, which was in that age before the Indies had fill­ed those Northern parts of the World, with Gold and Silver, so greata sum that to raise it in England, they were forced to sell all their Church Plate, and in lieu thereof for some Hundred years after, to Celebrate the Sacrament in Challices of Latten or Tin. After this Money Peter of Bloys (who had drank as deep of this Helicon, as any of that age,) sent this Prayer, making an Apostrophe to the Emperor, or to the Duke of Austria, or to both together.

Part of this Ransome being paid, and Hostages left for the securing the rest, he returned into England, having indured Eighteen Months Imprisonment. But the Duke was after this sorely aflicted in his Dominions, by Fire and Famine, And in his Body by a Gangren, which seised on him with that Violence that he [Page 13]was forced to cut his leg off with his own hand, and died thereof; but before his death he fortified Vienna with a strong Wall, which he caused to be built with this Money, and being in the time of his sickness, troubled in conscience for having been so Cruel to our King, he will­ed some Thousand Crowns to be returned to him again.

CHAP. II.

NOT long after King Richards return out of Palestine, Saladine who had for sixteen years together been the Terror of the East ended his life. He was a Prince fierce in fighting, and yet mild in Con­quering, and when he had his Enemies in his hands, delighted himself more in having the power, then he did in the Act of revenge; finding his life draw to a pe­riod, he Commanded those about him to use no other Solemnities at his Funeral [Page 14]then a Black Cloth, which he ordered them to carry before him, and Proclaim that. Saladine Conqueror of the East had now nothing left of all his Conquest, but only this Black Shirt to attend him to his Grave.

He Left Nine (some say Twelve) Sons behind him who were all except one, Murthered by Saphradin their Uncle, whom Saladine made the overseer of his Will, and he was not preserved by his Uncles pity, but by the favour of some of his fathers Friends, his name being likewise Saph­radin Sultan of Aleppo. Whereupon there arose much Intestine difference among the Turks, during which time the Christians injoyed their Truce with much quiet and security, only their peace was somewhat imbittered by the unfortunate death of King Henry, who fell (as he was walking in his. Palace to solace himself) out of a Window and brake his Neck.

After whose death Almerick Lusignan, Brother to King Guy, Marrying Isabella, his Relict was in her right Crowned King of Jerusalem. The Christians in Syria promising themselves much aid from his Isle of Cyprus, of which he was also King, but he abandoning himself to ease and pleasure, proved a worthless and an un­fortunate Prince.

In his time Henry Emperor of Germany to make amends for his Cruelty against King Richard, and regain his Credit which was very much impaired thereby, set on foot an other Voyage to the Holy Land; Pope Celestine the third sending his Legat about to promote it, by shewing how God himself had sounded the Alarm in the dissention of the Turks, and persuad­ing them that Jerusalem might now be recovered, with the blows of her adver­saries, only it was convenient to send an Army, not so much to Conquer it as to receive it. Henry Duke of Saxony was chosen General of the Pilgrims, who was acompanied by Frederick Duke of Austria, Hermand Landgrave of Thuringia, Henry Palatine of the Rhine, the Arch-bishops of Ments and Wittenburgh, the Bishops of Bream and Halberstadt, and Regenspurg, and divers other Prelates, so that it was an Episcopal Army, and one might there have truly seen the Church Militant.

In their passage through Greece they found better usage then some of their Predecessors, and being conveyed from thence by Shiping into Syria, they present­ly brake the Truce made with the Turks by the King of England, being impowered so to do by a Dispensation from the Pope, who looked upon a peace Solemnly made [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [...] [Page 18]the Usurper, and free his Father from his Miserable Captivity. The Sold­iers were well enough pleased with the exchange of service, for they knew well enough that in Palestine there was nothing to be got but Honour, and here they hoped to get both Honour and Spoil.

Wherefore setting saile from Jadera, they went directly to Constantinople, and after some few hot skirmishes easily took the City, whereupon Alexius the Usurper, with his Wife, Whores and Treasure, being fled away, blind Isaac and his son Alexius were saluted Joynt Emperors; which brittle Honour was quickly broken, for the Old Emperor being now brought out of a close pent Dungeon, into the o­pen Air died soon after, and his Son was thereupon Villainously strangled by Alexi­us Ducas, a man of base Parentage, who was in a tumultuous manner chosen Em­peror by the People, but growing proud upon his being thus advanced to the Imperial Throne, he gave some affronts to the Latins, who still lay in their Ships before Constantinople, whereupon they as­saulted the City again the Second time, and taking it by main force plundered all the inhabitants, Ravishing the Women, and using a Thousand Insolencies, where­in the very Sanctuaries needed Sanctu­aries [Page 19]to defend them, from the violence of the inraged Soldiers.

And the Latines having thus Possessed themselves of Constantinople, within twelve Months conquered all the Grecian Empire except Adrinople, and divided it among themselves. Making Baldwine Earl of Flanders Emperor of Grecia, Boniface Marquiss of Montferrat, King of Thessaly, and Geoffrey a French Noble man Prince of Achaia, and Duke of Athens. And the Venetians got many rich Islands in the Egean and Ionian Seas. And Thomas Mau­crocenus was Elected the first Latine Pa­triarch of Constantinople.

CHAP. III.

THe Pope having lately diverted the Holy War, and turned it upon the Grecian, liked the Success of it so well, that he afterwards made a common Trade of it, for having about two years after, procured the Levying a great Army, for the Holy War, he sent them against the Albingenses in France: Who being ac­counted [Page 20] Hereticks by his Holiness, he re­solved to destroy them without Mercy. That pretended Shepherd of the Church, knowing no other way to bring home wandring Sheep, then by worrying them to Death; for the promoting which Pi­ous Work, he promised all those who would undertake it, the same Pardon, and Indulgences, as to them that went to Conquer the Holy-Land. And the better to perswade People to undertake it, he only requests their Aid for forty days, hoping to have eaten up those despised Hereticks at a mouthful. Tho' therein he found himself mistaken, for they found him, and his Successor work enough for fifty years together. However in regard, the Seat of the War was nearer, the Service shorter, and the Wages the same with the Voyage into Palestine; many en­tred themselves for this imploy, & neglect­ed the other: The chief whereof were the Duke of Burgundy, the Earls of Nevers, St. Paul Auxierne, Geneva, Poictiers, and Montfort. And of Church-Men, Milo the Popes Legate, the Arch-Bishops of Sens, and Roven the Bishop of Clearmort, Ne­vers Charters, Baguex and many more, every Bishop with the Pilgrims of his own Jurisdiction. Their work was to destroy the Albingenses, which were in [Page 21]great numbers in Daulphine Province, and other parts of France, and to Root out all their Friends and Favourers, or sus­pected to be so.

Pope Innocent the Third, having ga­thered together an Army of an hundred thousand Pilgrims; Sackt the Cities of Besiers and Carcassone, destroying many Papists among the Albingenses, and cutting the Priests themselves in pieces, even in their Priestly Ornaments. After which Simon Earl of Monfort, was made Gene­ral of the Pilgrims, who had been hither­to Commanded by Milo the Popes Legate, which made the Earls of Fayl, Tholouse, and Cammurge, with the Prince of Berne, who were the Patrons of the Albingenses, to shelter themselves under Peter King of Aragon, whose Homagers they were. One great Inconvenience ever attended that Army of Pilgrims, for so soon as ever their forty days were expired, in regard it was the full time set them by the Pope, to merit Paradise in, they would not stay a Night longer, least peradventure hav­ing purchased Heaven, they might by conti­nuing longer in the Service, be put into the Possession of it sooner then they were will­ing, which being observed by the King of Aragon; and that between the going out of the Old, and the coming in of the New [Page 22]store of Pilgrims; there was usually a very low ebb, and their Army was al­most dwindled to nothing, he took the Earl of Monfort at the advantage before he was re-inforced with new Pilgrims, and gave him Battel, when he had not above two thousand two hundred Men left himself, having an Army of thirty thousand Foot, and seven thousand Horse; which made him so over-Confident of Victory, that out of Pride and Vanity, he exposed his Person so openly at the Head of the Army, that he did as it were invite his Enemies Arrows to hit so fair a Mark, by which he was so mortally Wounded, that he fell from his Horse, and with his Body sunk the Hearts of his Soldiers, who all presently run away; Simon pursuing them to the very Gates of Thou­lose, and killing many thousands of them.

Yet in a few years, the Face of this War was Changed, for young Reimund Earl of Thoulose, exceeding his Father both in Valour and Success, re-gained in a few Months what Simon and his Pilgrims had been many years in Conquering. And at last Simon as he laid Siege to Tholose, had his Head shot off from his Body by a stone, which a Woman let fly out of an Engine from the City wall.

In whose Death, the raging storm of [Page 23]open War against those Albingenses, ended. In the prosecution, whereof Three Hun­dred Thousand Craised Pilgrims had with­in the compass of fifteen years lost their lives, so that there was not a City or Village in France, but what had in it some Widows or Orphans, to curse the Pro­moters of this Expedition; but tho' the great storm was over, yet many great drops feil upon them afterwards, the Pope being still stiring up one or other to mo­lest them.

CHAP. IV.

HAving followed this Holy War into France; and observed its several steps among the Albingenses, we will now re­turne with ita gain into Palestine, where we find the Floud of Pilgrims run very low, in regard the Pope had diverted the stream, and as for King Almerick we find him as we left him, drowning his cares in Wine without once concerning [Page 24]Church was a Patriarchal Seat for man [...] hundred years after.

Before this City the Pilgrims Army sat down, and closely besieged it: But th [...] Turks within making a vigorous Defend under Auxianus their Governour, frustrate their expectations of forcing the Tow [...] as soon as they appeared before it; [...] the Siege grew very long, and Provision very short in the Christians Cam [...] which made Peter the Hermite, no [...] withstanding his pretended Delegation t [...] manage this War on the behalf of Chris [...] run away; but being pursued an [...] brought back again, was bound by a new Oath to prosecute the War. Howev [...] at length one within the City, of who Name and Religion Authors cannot agr [...] (some making him a Turk, others. Christian; some call him by one name and some by another) in the dead of th [...] night betrayed the City to Boemun [...] whereupon the Pilgrims entred in, a [...] being highly exasperated by the leng [...] of the Seige, they so remembred th [...] miseries they had endured, that they fo [...] got all pity and moderation, killing a [...] slaying promiscuously Christians [...] and all that came to hand [...].

The Town was offered [...] Emperour, but he refused [...] out of [Page 25]suspicion, that there was some deceit in the tender, it being common with ill men to measure other mens minds by the crooked rule of their own, whereupon it was given to Boemund. But not­withstanding the dearness of the purchase, it was not long injoyed in quiet, for Cor­boran the Turkish General came with a vast Army of Persian Souldiers and be­sieged them in the City, so that they were greatly distrest between hunger within and their enemies without, which made many of them to steal away out of the City; whereat the rest no whit discouraged, accounting the loss of Cowards the gain of an Army, bravely re­solved rather to sell their lives by whole­sale, on the point of the Sword, than to retail them out by famine, who is the worst of Tyrants. And to hasten the putting this generous resolution into practice, they happened to find in the Church of St. Peter a certain Lance which they were made to believe was the very same Lance, wherewith our Saviours side was pierced by the Souldier, whereat they greatly rejoyced; As though this military relique had by wounding of Christ been indued with a certain vertue of wounding and de­stroying his Enemies, and carried with it [Page 26]Reign of King Almerick, to the great annoyance of the Christians, but tho' they were unsuccessful in this siege, yet King John was more fortunate in taking the Castle of Pilgrims, a piece of great strength on the Sea side.

Whereupon it was resolved on to trans­late the War into Egypt, in hope to discourage the Egyptians by the Invasion, and ruine of their Country; and there­fore Hoisting Sail, they came before Da­miata a chief Haven of Egypt, lying on the East side of the River Nilus, In the siege whereof they had four difficulties to en­counter with, besides the City it self, first with a great Chain that lay a cross the Harbor which with indefatigable pains and Industry mingled with Art they break asunder. Secondly the River Nilus which now suddenly, and unexpectedly over­flowed, and drowned the whole Country, so that the Fish came swimming into the Christians Tents, and against which mis­chief they had no other defence but Pray­er, and a publick Fast enjoyned by the Legate, upon which the water abated, and a Publick Thanksgiving thereupon injoyned, that so the mercy obtained by Prayer might be kept by Praise. Thirdly, they were to grapple with the Fort of Pharria, A seeming Impregnable [Page 27]Piece between them and Damiata; for the taking whereof they built a Tower on Ships, which falling down killed and wounded many of the Pilgrims: and those who had the good hap to escape the blow, were notwithstanding terrified by the fright which the fall occasioned a­mong them, but King John comforted his Soldiers, and desired them not to be discouraged at a thing which was purely accidental, and against which there could be no guard or defence by any rules of Wisdom or Valour, but immediately ad­dress themselves to the Raising one more substantial, by his direction and advice, which was when finished the rariest piece in that kind, that ever the world saw, by means whereof after many bloody af­faults they Conquered the Fort.

And the fourth and wonst enemy they had to do withal, was Meladine King of Egypt who lay near them with a great Army, Constantly furnishing the City with Men and Victuals, and excercising them with continual Skirmishes, in one whereof he did them abundance of harm with his Wild fire, whereby King John himself was dangerously Scorched, but at last seeing that the Christians hewed their way through all those Rocks of difficulties, he propounded a Peace to them, [Page 28]by the mediation of his Brother Coradine King of Damalcus, wherein he offered, that if they would depart out of Egypt, he would restore them the Cross, the City of Jerusalem, and all the Land of Palestine.

The English, French, and Italians were willing to imbrace so large an offer, but the Legate would no ways consent, alledging that the Voyage was undertaken not for the recovery of Palestine only, but for the ex­tirpation of the Mahometan Religion, it be­ing for his Masters Interest to keep that War always on foot: Which refusal so in­raged Coradine, that he beat down the Walls of Jerusalem, and all the Beautifull Buildings therein, save only the Tower of David, and the Temple of the Sepulcher.

However the siege of Damiata went on, and was at length taken by the Christi­ans without resistance; most of those that should have defended it being either slain, or dead with the Famine or Plague, so that the Christians who inraged with the length of the siege, entred with a resolution to kill all, had their fury soon melted into pitty, by beholding the streets every where strewed with dead Corps, so that of threescore and ten Thousand there was now but one thousand remain'd alive, who were all pardoned by the Conquerors; upon Condition that they [Page 29]would cleanse the City, which they were three Months in performing.

Great was the spoil, the Pilgrims found in Damiata, being as it were a strong barred Chest, wherein the Merchants of Egypt and India had as they imagined, safely Locked up all their Treasures, which detained them there a full year, being most of them Content to make that Inn their home; during which time, the Pope ordered John de Columna a Car­dinal, to reside there, as his Legate in the place of Pelagius.

CHAP. V.

NOt long after, the Arrival of this new Legate, there arose a great di­ference between him and the King of Jerusalem, in regard he Challenged Dami­atia for his Holiness, which had at the taking of it by publick Agreement been assigned to the King: Whereupon Bren in anger returned to Ptolomais, as well to puff out his discontent in private, as [Page 30]to teach the Christians his worth by their want of him, who presently after his de­parture found themselves at so great a loss, that they were neither able to stand still without disgrace, nor proceed in the War without danger. The Legate commanded them to march, but he found they had too great a Spirit to be ruled by a Church­man; for they swore they would not stir one step, unless the King were with them: So that the Legate was fain to send Messengers to intreat his return to the Army, which at last he Consented to, by the perswasion of the Messengers, and a promise of having Damatia according to the first Agreement.

But no sooner was the King and the Legate met again, after eight Months ab­sence, but new Divisions were started be­tween them. The Legate perswaded the Army to march up, and besiege Grand Cairo; assuring them, that they might thereby quickly command all Egypt: God having as he pretended, opened them such a door of victory, that they might easily enter into Possession of their Enemies Country, if they did not bar it up by their own Idleness.

But the King opposed it, and advised them to return again into Syria, in re­gard that City was difficult to take, and [Page 31]impossible to keep, the Ground whereon they were to march was altogether as Treacherous as the People, against whom they were to fight; so that it was bet­ter for them, now to retire with Ho­nour, then hereafter to fly with shame. But the Legate persisting in his resolu­tion, thundred out Excommunications a­gainst all those who refused to go for­wards; therefore they must needs go, when the Devil drove them.

Whereupon the crafty Egyptians, whose flight was more to be feared, then their fight; seeing the Christians advance, pre­tended to fly before them, the better to draw them into the Snare. But the Le­gate fancying, that the pretended flight was the Effect of their Cowardize and Fear, hugged himself in his own Imagi­nary Happiness, and highly applauded his Sagacity, in giving that Successful advice, tho' he quickly found his Joy tur­ned into Sorrow.

For Egypt being a low level Ground, through the midst whereof runs the Ri­ver Nilus; whose stream the Egyptians had by their Industry, so bridled with Banks and Sluces, that they could easily Command it, to be their own Servant, and their Enemies Master. And therefore, when the Christians had Confidently march­ed [Page 32]on without the least Suspicion, till it was impossible for them, either to retire or be relieved; the Turks pierced their Banks, and let the River run open mouthed upon them, yet so, as they only drowned them up to the middle, reserving their Lives for the Ransome of Damatia.

So that there you might have the Land of Egypt, in an instant turned into a Sea; and an Army of sixty thousand, as the Neck of one Man streached on the Block, and expecting the fatal blow; every one Cursed the Legate, and blamed their own folly, in complying with the Advice of a Clergy­man, and neglecting that of a King. But it was now too late, to complain; and they must bear with Patience the Misery, which they had brought upon themselves by their own Rashness.

Meladine King of Egypt, seeing the de­plorable Misery of those drowned Chri­stians, and the Constancy, and Patience wherewith they indured their Calamity, was moved with Compassion towards them; being himself as was thought, somewhat inclined to ibrace the Chri­stian Religion, and offered them their Lives upon condition, that they would quit the Country and restore Dami­ata. They glady accepted the conditions, and presently dispatched Messengers to the [Page 33]City, to prepare them for the Surrender­ing of it, but they within the City being themselves safe on the shore, knew not how to simpathise with their Poor Brethren in Shipwrack, and therefore told the Messengers that those drowned Pil­grims deserved no pity, in regard they had invited this misery upon themselves by their own rashness, and that if they yield­ed up this City for nothing, which cost so many Lives, they should thereby expose themselves to the derision of the whole World; that if those Pilgrims perished, more might be had, but no more Dama­ta's, it being a place of such Importance that it would always be a curb to the excursions of the Egyptian King, but how­ever those poor distressed wretches had some friends in the City, who confessed that the Voyage was indeed undertaken unadvisedly, and was justly to be blamed, but yet pleaded that worse and more in­considerate projects had some times been undertaken by others, and when they have been Crowned with Success, have passed un­questioned, and so they supposed would this have done, had it Succeeded, and that therefore it was most unreasonable to add misery to the miserable, beseeching them to pity their Brethren, and not leave them in that forlorn state.

But finding their arguments to avail little, they betook themselves to their Arms, resolving to force the adverse par­ty to resign the City, and King John who of all others had the least reason to pity them, in regard their project was whol­ly against his advice, was notwithstanding so touched with a sence of their calamity, that he generously threatned in case they refused to surrender it, to give Meladine, Ptolemais in Syria, in the stead of it, where­upon they consented, and Damiata was restored to the Turks, and the Legate and his Army let out of the trap wherein they were taken, Meladine out of his Princely goodness furnishing them with Victuals, and Horses to carry their feeble persons upon, and thus the Christians received an overthrow without a wound, and the Turks obtained an absolute Victory with­out Blood.

And there being at this time, besides the agreement for the Exchange of Da­miata, a Peace made with the Turks for eight years, whereby things were setled in Syria, King John took a Journey to Rome, where he was Honourably entertained by the Pope; And shortly after tho' for what reason I cannot find, he resign­ed the Kingdom of Jerusalem to Frode­rick, the second Emperour of Germany, up­on [Page 35]condition that he should marry Jole the only Daughter of King John, by his first Wife, altho' by a second Wife he had another named Martha, Marryed to Robert Emperour of Greece, so that by Marriage he was now become Father to both the Emperours of the East and West.

Some condemn his resignation as an un­advised Act, and conclude that if he had not first parted with his wits he would never have parted so freely with his Kingdom. But others on the contrary commend it, as a Wise and Considerate Action, and give us those reasons to prove it. First, his Wife was dead, by whose Right he held his Kingdom. Secondly he knew the Turks power to Invade it, and his own weakness to defend it. Third­ly, before his resignation, he had little left but the bare Title, and after it he had nothing less; it being so customary for all men to salute him by the name of King of Jerusalem, that he was called so to his dying day. Fourthly he there­by provided better for his Daughter, then otherwise he could in all proba­bility have done. And Lastly because he got more after the surrender, then he did before, for in England he received many great presents from Henry the Third; In France, besides rich gifts left to himself he had the managing of 60000 Crowns, left by Phillip Augustus the French King, to the Templars, for the carrying on the Holy War. In Spain he got a rich Wife, Beringaria the Daughter of the King of Castile, and in Italy he tasted largely of the Popes liberality, lived there in great [Page 37]plenty, but at last Perfidiously raising Rebellion against the Emperour of Germ­any, his Son in Law, at the Instigation of the Pope, he lost the General Esteem of most men, and went off the stage with­out Applause.

Fredericks Nuptials with the Lady Jole, was solemnized at Rome in the presence of the Pope, with all the Ceremonies of Majesty imaginable, and he ingaged him­self by promise, that he would within two years prosecute his Title in Palestine, but by Discords and Jealousies between the Pope and him; he was much longer before he got things in readiness to march, and when he was on his way to Palestine, the Plague seized on his Army at Brindisi in Italy, where he likewise was shortly after Visited with a desperate fit of sickness which stayed his Journey for many Months.

It went against the grain with the Pope to have the Emperor so near him, and therefore he Excommunicated him a­fresh, (having done it divers times be­fore,) pretending his sickness was only the Cramp of Laziness, and charging him with the unjust seizing on the goods of Lewis Lantgrave of Thuringia, who died a little before in the Camp, The Em­perour protested his innocency and ac­cused [Page 38]the Pope of injustice, offering for the proof of it to put himself on the try­al of all Christian Princes. However at last health came, and Frederick departed with his Fleet for the Holy Land, where­a [...] the Pope who was neither well full nor fasting stormed exceedingly, and be libel'd him more then ever, because he had for­sooth departed without his Fathers Bles­sing, or being Absolved and Reconciled to his Mother the Church.

But we may observe that Gods Blessing often times goes along with the Popes curs­es, for the Fame of Fredericks Valour and his Virgin Fortune, never yet stained with ill Success, hastning like an Harbinger be­fore perpared Victory to entertain him at his arrval there, This Emperor Swifter then Caesar himself, overcame before he came to Palestine; so that Coradine being dead and his Children in their Minority, the Sultan of Babylon who was then of greatest Authority among the Turks, and Governed Syria, offered him what he could never have expected, viz. To restore him Jerusalem, and all Palestine in as full and ample a manner as it was enjoyed by Baldwine the Fourth, before it was Conquered by S [...]ladine, and to release all Christian Prisoners upon condition that the Turks might be permitted in small num­bers [Page 39]to have access to the Sepulcher, they likewise having some Knowledg off, and some kind of Veneration for Christ.

Before Frederick would ratifie any thing by Oath he sent to have the Popes appro­bation, but hearing that he had Imprison­ed his Messengers and in a most contemptu­ous manner torn his Letters, he concluded a Truce with the Sultan for Ten years without the Popes consent, and entering on Easter-day Triumphantly into Jerusa­lem, he Crowned himself King with his own hands, for the Patriarch, the Master of the Templars, and all the Clergy ab­sented themselves, neither was there any Mass Sung in the City, so long as the Emperor staid there, because he was Ex­communicated.

And thus by the Valour and Policy of Frederick, was the Holy Land recovered without blood, which had been for many years before attempted without success, and the affairs of Palestine brought into a good condition, & rendered capable of im­proving, had not the Pope ruined all by forcing the Emperor to return sooner then he intended to supress the Rebellion, which the Pope had caused John Bren to raise against him at home, At his departure he appointed Reinoldus Duke of Bavaria to be his Lieutenant in Syria, who wisely [Page 40]discharged his Office, and preserved the Peace intire, which was concluded with the Sultan of Babylon, although the Temp­ [...]ars endeavoured to bring that Ten years Truce to an untimely end, it being an in­sufferable thing with them to fast from Fighting, which was Meat and Drink to their Turbulent Spirits, Condemning him for his want of Zeal in the Holy War, and giving him many a lift to heave him from his place, but still he sate sure nor was he much troubled at the envy of Henry King of Cyprus who challenged the princi­pality of Antioch, as next of kin the last deceased Prince; for the Duke met him and defeated him in battle, and gave that Principality to Frederick, base Son to the Emperor.

But that which kept both Turks and Christians in awe, and made them the more carefull to observe the Truce, was their mutual fear of the Tartars, a fierce People which at this time took their first flight out of their own nest into the Neighbour­ing Countries, they were anciently called Scythians, and Inhabited the Northern parts of Asia a country never Conquered by any of the Monarchs, being priviledged from their Victorious Arms by its own barren­ness, which was the reason why after they had made several incursions into Europe, [Page 41]and the lesser Asia, they found it so sweet that they cared not to return home.

They were by their multitudes and ferce­ness become so formidable that the Pope himself began to fear them in Italy, to pre­vent which he sent Askelin a Frier much famed in those days, and three others to Convert them to the Christian Religion, who instead of instructing them the Rudi­ments of Christianity, acquainted them with the greatness and power of the Pope, who was as he told them, exalted above all the Princes of Europe, but Baiothnoi Chief Cap­tain of the Tartarian Army (for they were not admitted to the Great Cham himself) crying quits with this Frier, outvyed him in discribing his Cham, whose great­ness and Divinity he affirmed to exceed that of the Popes, and sent him back with a blunt Letter, which he concluded thus, If thou wilt set upon our Land and Inherit­ance, it behoveth that Thou Pope in thy proper Person come unto us, and that Thou come to him who containeth the Face of the Whole Earth, meaning their Great Cham.

Never did his Holiness so meet with his match before, however he loved his Flock in Europe too well to run the hazard of losing them by a long Journey into Tarta­ria, and so the Conversion of the Tartari­ans was neglected.

About this time likewise the Grecian Emperour, who had been now near sixty years confined to the Citys of Nice and Adrianople, only recovered every foot of Land that the Latins had won from the Greeks, after it had been enjoyed by five Succesive Latine Emperours, except what was enjoyed by the Venetians, who kept Candia, till lately wrested from them by the Turks, & presently after the Greek Church wholly cast of their subjection to the Pope, and declared the Patriarch of Constantinople to be absolute of himself, without having any dependency on Rome, the occasion of their disavowing the Popes Authority was this Germanus, being upon this new revolution of the Grecian Empire, chosen Patriarch of Constantinople, a certain Arch­bishop preferred by him, went to Rome, there to have his confirmation, but finding that Court so unreasonable in their demands of Fees, that it would weaken him to be confirmed, and shake his Estate to settle him in his Bishoprick, he returned again without confirmation, but with so great an outcry upon the Extortion of Rome, that the Patriarch and the whole Clergy for ever after threw off the Popes heavy Yoke, which they were no longer able to bear.

His Holiness stormed exceedingly at this [Page 43]loss, and therefore dispairing to reduce them by fair means, proclaimed open War against them, and resolved to send an Army of Crossed Soldiers against those Schismatical Grecians, as he had formerly done against the Albigenses: It being cu­stomary with that imperious Prelate, to make use of the Secular Power, as his Hang-man, to execute those whom he shall please to condemn. But his Commands were herein but little regarded, very few Volunteers entering themselves for this Service, and most men entertaining a Reli­gious Horror and Detestation of so odious an Imployment.

This irrepairable rent and division be­tween the two Churches was very advan­tagious to the Turks, and a greath in­derance to the Holy War; for the Greeks in Syria, who had hitherto lived in some kind of friendly correspondency with the Latins, differing indeed in Judgment, but complying in Affections, and uniting against the Turk, the common Enemy of both, began now to conceive so great a hatered for the Latins, that they wished the Turk, from whom they expected fair Quarter, the free Exercise of their Religion, and a secure dwelling in any City, for pay­ing a set Tribute, might conquer rather than their fellow Christians, from whom [Page 44]they expected nothing but a forcing of their Conscience, and the bringing their Souls into subjection to the Popes Supre­macy; and therefore from thence for­ward, never lent a helping hand to that War.

CHAP. VI.

THe Ten Years Truce made by Frede­rick, being ended, he ordered Rei­nold, his Vice-Roy, to conclude another, for the same term of years; which, tho' honourable enough, and without any other fault, than Frederick's having made it, yet the Templars would not indure it, pre­tending, that it was a great Indignity to the Christians, for the Turks to have access to the Sepulchre. And Pope Gregory, to despite the Emperour, commanded his Trumpeters, the Dominican and Francis­can Fryers, to sound a fresh Alarum to the Holy War; who amplifying, with their Rhetorick, the Calamity of the Christians, [Page 45]the Tyranny of the Turks, the Merit of the Cause, and the Probability of Success, prevailed with many to undertake the Voyage; the principal whereof was, Theobald, King of Navarre; Almerick, Earl of Montfort; Henry, Earl of Cham­paigne; Peter, Earl of Bretaigne; who having no Ships, were forced to march with their Armies by Land, through Gre­cia, where they were entertained, as others had been before them, with Trea­chery, Famine, and all the Miseries that could attend an unfortunate Army; inso­much, that none ever after adventured to go that way into the Holy Land.

But having passed the Bosporus, they marched to Antioch, being more than half of them destroyed by the Turks in their passage thither, and the rest miserably weaken'd and almost dead with sickness and famine. However, after they had for sometime refreshed themselves there, the Templars conducted them to Gaza, where they fell to spoiling and foraging the Sul­tan's Country, assaulting no place of strength, but only poor Villages, who thought themselves sufficiently walled by the Truce. But as they were returning home, laden with Treasure, the Turks in great numbers fell upon them near Gaza; where, after a bloody fight, wherein the [Page 46] Christians behaved themselves with so much bravery, that they were rather killed than conquered, they were utterly overthrown; Earl Henry being slain, Almerick taken prisoner, and the King of Navarre forced to save himself by the swiftness of his Spanish Gennet.

In the mean while, the other Christians looked on and saw their Brethren slaugh­tered before their faces, without being able to help them, in regard their hands were tyed by the Truce; and Reinoldus charged them not to infringe the Peace made with the Sultan. As for the King of Navarre, he stole home with as much fecresie as possible, being greatly ashamed, that his Voyage, from which so much was ex­pected, had effected nothing, but the ruin of its undertakers.

Fifteen days after his departure, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and Brother to King Henry the Third, landed at Ptolemais, ac­companied by Theodoricus, Lord Prior of the English Hospitallers, divers Barons, and an Army of brave and well-appointed Soldiers, where he was joyfully received, especially by the Clergy, who Sang at his arrival, Blessed is he who cometh in the Name of the Lord.

This Prince was our English Croesus, and the Tinn-Mines in Cornwall were his Indies [Page 47]that inriched him, so that England never had a poorer King, and a richer Subject, than those two Brothers. When he was got as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the the Pope sent his Legate, to command him back, and forbid his proceeding any far­ther in his Voyage. Whereat our He­roick Pilgrim was somewhat astonished, that the Pope should so solemnly summon, and then as suddenly discharge his Holy Souldiers, as tho' he designed only to de­lude peoples devotions with false alarums. However, having vowed the Voyage, and his Honour and Treasure being ingaged therein, he resolved that his Holiness should not with a breath blast his generous Re­solutions, but went forward, notwith­standing this Command to the con­trary.

The Sultans in Syria, hearing of his ar­rival, offered him Peace; but whilst he was treating of it, he fortified Askelon, which was the best Harbour in all Syria, and beautified it with Marble and Statues, caused the Christians, killed at the late Battel of Gaza, to be decently buried, and gave a Priest an yearly Salary, to Pray for their Souls: so that the living being much taken with his kindness to the dead, he thereby purchased as much love and honour, as tho' he had slain so many [Page 48] Turks. And having at last concluded a Peace with the Sultans for Ten Years; wherein it was agreed, That all Christian Captives should be released, several Forts restored, and things reduced to the same state they were at the first Peace made with Frederick the Emperour. He returned home with abundance of Honour, Ha­ving, says the Historian, compelled those In­fidels to offer Terms of Peace, without offering them any other violence, than shewing his Sword in the Scabbard, without ever drawing it. And indeed such was the general esteem which he obtained by his Success in this Voyage, that he afterwards bid fair for the Imperial Crown of Germany.

Not long after the Earls return, died Reinoldus, Frederick's Lieutenant in Syria, in whose Grave was buried all the Happi­ness and Glory of the Christians in Pale­stine. For now the lawless Templars would observe no other Rule than their own Will, and the inundation of the rude Tar­tars, having, maugre all opposition, run over all the North of Asia, and forced many Nations to forsake their ancient Ha­bitations; among whom was a certain People, called Corasine, who being thus unkennelled, had recourse to the Sultan of Babylon, desiring him to give them a place to live in. The Sultan, who was free [Page 49]enough of that which was none of his own, frankly gave them all the Land that the Christians held in Syria, upon condition, that they would conquer it; which he told them was easie to do, in regard the People were few and weak, and the Coun­try rich and fruitful.

The Corasines being thus animated by the by the Sultan, came with their Wives and Children and their whole Housholds into Syria, to win Houses and Land for them there. And finding the City of Jerusalem unguarded, and without the least suspi­tion of an Enemy, easily surprized it, and entered without resistance. Many of the Christians thereupon flying out of the City with their Wives and Families, took their course towards Joppa, but unfor­tunately looking back, and seeing their own Ensigns advanced on the Walls, were so infatuated as to go back to the City again, upon a confute, that their fellows had beaten the Corasines, and by those Banners, invited them to return, where­by they were every Mother's Child of them slain.

Things being brought to this pass in Syria, a desperate Disease must have a desperate Remedy, whereupon the Chri­stians clapt up a hasty Peace with the two Sultans of Damascus and Cracci, between [Page 50]whom, and the Sultan of Babylon, there was at that time some discord. And swearing them to be faithful, borrowed an Army of their Forces, to assist them in taking vengeance on the Corasines. Robert, Pa­triarch of Jerusalem, was the chief Com­mander, and St. Luke's day the time agreed on for this fatal Battel, which was fought on a Plain near Tyberius. But the two Armies were no sooner joyned, but the Turks, who were placed in the front of the Battel, ran over to the Enemy, or at least fled through cowardize, so that the Christians being over-powered in num­ber, though they made a great slaughter of their Enemies, were at last utterly overthrown, and most of them slain, there escaping no more, but Three of the Teutonick Order, Eighteen Templers, and Nineteen Hospitallers, besides the Patriarch; who says of himself, That God, accounting him unwortby of Martyrdom, permitted him to escape among the rest. The Corafines im­proving this Victory, won all from the Christians, except Tyre, Ptolemais, and An­tioch, with a few Forts.

So that the Christians were beaten by a beaten People, who shortly after falling out with the Sultan of Babylon, were by him wholly routed out, so as none of their Name remained. And it is very obser­vable, [Page 51]that all Historians, both before and after this time, are wholly silent concern­ing them; whereby it seems, as tho' God had created this People to punish the Chri­stian, and as soon as they had done their work, annihilated them again.

CHAP. VII.

ABout two years after this overthrow, Lewis the Ninth of that Name, King of France, arrived in Palestine, to assist the Christians, in recovering what they had lost. That which moved him to under­take this Voyage, was his recovering of a desperate fit of sickness, upon the appli­cation of a Piece of the Cross. He was accompanied therein, besides three of his own Brothers, and divers of the French Nobility, by William Longspath, Earl of Shrewsbury, with a brave company of va­liant English Soldiers. When he came to Cyprus, he was met by an Embassadour [Page 52]from a great Tartarian Prince, who in vited, by the fame of his Piety, acquainted him with his design to embrace the Chri­stian Religion. He received and enter­tained the Embassadours with much affabi­lity, dismissed them with liberal Gifts, and by them sent, as a Present to their Master, a curious Tent, wherein the Hi­story of the Bible was very dexteriously and richly wrought in Needle-work, ho­ping thereby to catch his Soul in his Eyes, Pictures being in that Age of Ignorance accounted Lay-mens Books, tho' since they have been generally condemned, as full of many damnable Errata's, and never pub­lished by any Authority of the King of Heaven, to be either the means or workers of Faith.

Thither also the Templers, who were afraid of being checked by this Pious King for their debauched Lives, wrote to him to accept of a Peace, which the King of Egypt offered to make with the Chri­stians. But he being informed by the King of Syria, that it was only a trick of the Templers, to prevent his intentions of going into Syria, to behold their wicked­ness, commanded the Grand Master, that from thence forward, upon the price of his Head, he should receive no Messages, nor hold any correspondence with the Ene­my, [Page 53]resolving with himself once more to invade Egypt, and make that Country the Seat of the War.

But having once declared his intentions, and making no great haste to put it into execution, Ateladine had time enough to provide against the storm, by fortifying the Sea-Coast, which he did for an Hun­dred and Eighty Miles together; so that their landing was now much more difficult than when King John invaded it. How­ever, Lewis being re-inforced with a new Army, by Robert, Duke of Burgundy, and Alphonse, the King's Brother, set forward for Egypt, and intended to land near Da­miata: But the Governour with a Band of resolute Mammalakes, opposed it, between whom, and the Christians, there was for some hours a fierce and bloody Fight, wherein the Turks were at last over­thrown and forced to fly into the Town, leaving the Christians Landing-place, with­out any other Guard, but their Gover­nour and Five Hundred of their best Soldiers, whom they left dead on the place.

Damiata was a City so strong and well fortified, that the taking of it was ac­counted a good Task, if performed by an Army within the compass of a Year. But those within remembring the Miseries of the last Siege, and fearing the same Tra­gedy would be acted over again, set fire to the Houses, and in the Night saved them­selves by flight; whereupon the French issued in, and quenching the fire, saved abundance of Treasure from the fury of the flames. Which Loss so discouraged Meladine, that to purchase Peace with the Christians, he offered to restore them the whole Kingdom of Jerusalem, in as ample a manner as ever it had been enjoyed by any of their Predecessors, to release all Prisoners, and disburse a great Sum of Money to defray the Charge of the War. But such was their Pride and Folly, that they refused to accept of it, unless Alexan­dria, the best Port in all Egypt, were given them as an Over-plus; the Pope's Legate, and Robert, Earl of Artois, persuading them to grant Peace upon no other terms. Wherefore the Turk seeing themselves in so desperate a condition, their Extremity rendered their Sword the keener, and made them provide with the greater re­solution to defend their Country to the ut­most.

About this time there arose a difference between the French and the English, to the great prejudice of their Proceed­ings. And Meladine, King of Egypt, died likewise the same Year, and left his imbroiled Kingdom to Melcchsala, his Son.

From Damiata the French marched up towards Cairo, the Governor whereof be­ing offended with the new King, promised to deliver it into their hands. And having passed an arm of the River Nilus, Earl Ro­bert marched forward with a third part of the Army and suddenly assaulted the Turks in their Tents, whilst the King was ab­sent, and put them to flight; which Vi­ctory so lifted him up with conceit, that he adventured contrary to the advice of the Master of the Templers, to set on the whole Turkish Power, which lay incamped not far off, without staying for the rest of the Army, whereby he was utterly over­thrown, and as he was crossing the River, in his flight, found Water enough to drown him, tho' not to wash away the stain of rashness and cowardize from his memory; and our English Earl refusing to fly, died fighting in the midst of his Ene­mies, there escaping no more but four persons to carry News of this fatal over­throw to the rest of the Army.

It is easier for the Reader to conceive, than for my Pen to express, the general grief wherewith these doleful Tydings were received by the French, among whom the Plague raged so furiously, that it daily swept away Thousands. And to in­crease their sorrow, several sick persons, whom the King had sent down the River to Damiata, were set upon by the Egyptian King, and having neither Hands to fight, nor Legs to run, were every one either burned or drowned, except Alexander Gifford, an English-man, whose Name and Family still remains at Chellingworth in Stafford-shire, who acquainted the French with what had happened. They would now have been glad of those Terms, which a little before they slighted, but it was too late, for the Turks now scorned to treat with them.

The French would have had the King provided for his own safety, by flying back to Damiata. But he refused, and re­solving to live or die, overcome or perish with them, marched forward to the fatal place, where the last Battel was fought. And whilst they were astonished at the sight of their mangled fellows, the Egyptian King set upon them with an infinite num­ber of men, and put them all (being but few in number, and those very weak) to [Page 58]the sword, except Lewis and his two Bro­thers, whom he took Prisoners.

The Turks having thus slain all the French Pilgrims, instantly marched up with their Ensigns to Damiata, hoping thereby to surprize it, which if they had done, King Lewis had been for ever lost. But God disappointed them, for they were easily discovered, notwithstanding their disguise, and forced to go away without their de­sire.

The News of this sorrowful Accident coming to Europe, filled every one with grief, and made Henry, King of England, who had made great preparation to under­take the Voyage, to alter his mind, and imploy his Money to a better use.

But to return to Egypt: Melechsala did not long survive this Victory, being slain soon after by Tanquemine, a sturdy Mam­maluke, who succeeded him in the Egyptian Kingdom, by whom King Lewis was re­leased, in exchange for Damiata; being obliged, besides the surrender of the City, to pay many Thousand Pounds for the re­leasing of Christian Captives, and to make satisfaction for the Damage done in Egypt; for the securing whereof, he was forced to pawn to the Turks, the Pyx and Host: whence it is, that a Wafer-Cake and a Box is always wrote in the Borders of that [Page 59]Tapestry which we have brought us out of Egypt, as a perpetual Memorial of that Vi­ctory. But tho' Lewis was set at liberty, yet he got not home, till four years after.

CHAP. VIII.

THose Mammalukes which had now seized on the Kingdom of Egypt were the Children of Christian-Parents, which were by Saladine and his Successors taught the Mahometan Superstition, and instructed in all Military Discipline at several Nur­series, and being found by their Valour and Courage to be the chief support of the Turkish Kings, were by them advanced to the chief places of profit and trust, and thereby the better enabled to pull down their raisers. Which was performed du­ring the captivity of King Lewis, by Tar­quemine, [Page 60]who slew Melechsala, and think­ing it unfit so great a Prince should go to the grave alone, sent all his Children after him. And was afterwards chosen by the rest of the Mammalukes, King of Egypt; whereupon he, by their advice and consent, made several Laws, which were ever after­ward observed by them as irrevokable, The first whereof was,

That the Sultan, or chief of the servile Empire, should not succeed by Inheritance, but be chosen out of the Mammalukes.

The second, That none should be admitted into the Order of the Mammalukes, that were born either of Turkish or Jewish Parents, but only such as were born Christians.

The third was, That tho' the Sons of Mam­malukes should injoy their Fathers Lands and Wealth, yet they should not take upon them the Name and Honour of a Mammaluke.

The fourth was, That the Native Egyp­tians should be permitted the use of no other Weapons, but such wherewith they were to fight against Weeds and Till and Manure their Land.

There were in this Government several things worthy admiration.

First, That of Slaves they should act the King, without playing the Tyrant.

Secondly, That they should neglect their own Children when it is common for other men to idolize them and sacrifice all that they have to their welfare.

Thirdly, That they should not fall out in the Election of their Kings, in regard they were all equal among themselves.

Lastly, That it should indure so long, for it lasted Two hundred sixty and seven Years, till overcome by Selimus, the great Turkish Emperour, in the Year 1517. by the help of the Janizaries, an Order of Men for Birth and Breeding not unlike themselves.

In that Year likewise, it being a Year of great Revolutions, died Frederick, Em­perour of Germany and King of Jerusalem, whereupon followed an Interegnum in that Kingdom for fourteen Years together; the right indeed lay in Conrade, Frederick's Son, by Jole, King John's Daughter; but he was so imployed in defending himself [Page 62]in Sicily, against Maufred his Bastard Brother, (who quickly after dispatched him out of the way) that he had no leisure to look after the fragments of the King­dom of Jerusalem.

Near about this time a certain Hungari­an Peasant, said to have been an Apostate to Mahomet, and well learned, gathered together several Thousand people, who took on them the Name and Habit of Pastorelli, in imitation of those in the Gos­pel who were warned by Angels to go to Bethlehem, they had the Holy Lamb for their Ensign, and pretended to have in­telligence from Heaven to march into the Holy Land, but mistaking West for the East, they shaped their course into France and committing several outrages that no way suited either with their Habit or Banner, they were incountred near Bur­deaux, and threescore Thousand of them slain, and the rest dispersed.

Things being now brought into a sad and deplorable condition in Syria, without a­ny hope of amendment, behold a strange and unexpected accident revived them a­gain! For Haito King of Armenia taking the pains to travel himself to Margo, the Great Cham of Tartaria, to acquaint him with the danger he was in from the Turks as well as others, telling him, Tho' he lay [Page 63]something out of their way, yet the only favour he must expect from them was to be last devoured, whereupon he not only promised to assist the Christians in suppres­sing them, but himself, and by his example, a great part of the Country imbraced the Christian Faith, and thereupon sent Haalon his Brother with a great Army to suppress the Turks, and assist the Christians in re­covering what they had lost, in the performing whereof his Army seemed to ride post, conquering Persia in as little time as one can well travel it within six Months: The City of Samarchanda was the only place that resisted him, and therefore being unwilling to tempt his Fortune with a long siege, he left it to one of his Cap­tains, who besieged it seven and twenty year, and at last did not take it, but had it surrendred to him.

Haalon having Conquered Persia march­ed to Babylon, the Caliph whereof called Musteazem, Idolized his wealth so much that he would not provide necessaries for the defence of the City, so that it became an easie Conquest to this Tartarian Prince, who having famished the Covetous Caliph to death filled his mouth, with melted Gold, and now Mosques every where went down, and Churches went up, from thence he went into Mesopotamia, where having [Page 64]Conquered the City of Aleppo and Edessa. he restored them to the Christians, and many other places which he wan from the Turks, whereby he so awed Melechem the Mammaluke who Succeeded Tarminus in Egypt that he durst not budg.

But of this Tartarian help they were al­together unworthy, in regard they would not be at leasure to make use of it, but busied themselves in private dissentions, the Genoans and Ventians two states in Italy, who had thrown of the Imperial Com­mand, and had erected themselves into commonwealths, being not content to quar­rel at home would needs go into Syria to fight it out there, that so the Turks might look on and laugh at them, the pretence of the quarrel was about superiority in the Church of St. Sabbas, which was apoint­ed by the Pope for them and the Pisans, who likewise ingaged themselves in the quarrel somtimes siding with one side and some times with the other.

The Venetians being at length compel­led by the Genoans to forsake the City, were so incensed thereat, that they came with thirteen Galleys, and having forced asunder the chain which-crossed the Haven, burned five & twenty of the Genoans Ships, that lay there; to revenge which loss the state of Genoa sent a great Navy into Syria, [Page 65]which meeting with the Duke of Venice at Tyre, with the united power of the Veneti­ans and Pisans, being in all seventy four Vessels well provided, would have set upon them in the Haven, had not the Governour forbid it, telling them that they should not fight under his nose, but if they loved quarreling so well let them out and try their Fortunes in the open Sea, which they did accordingly, the manner of Sea­fights in those days before the thundering Ordnance was found out, being only for one Vessel to run against another, so that the the Ships were both Guns and Bullets themselves. In which fight the Venetians prevailed, destroying near thirty of the Genoans Ships, and forcing the rest to save themselves in the Haven of Tyre.

Whereupon entering Ptolemais they ex­pelled all the Genoans out of the City, pulled down their Buildings and plunder­ed all their Shops, and Warehouses, but after a ten years War they were at last reconciled in Palestine, by the Authority of Pope Clement the fourth, tho' their War lasted longer in Italy.

Charles Duke of Anjou, and Brother to King Lewis, was now made King of Sicily and Jerusalem, by the Pope upon condi­tion that he should conquer Maufred, who then Reigned in Sicily, and Molested [Page 66] His Holiness, and root out all the remain­ing Race of Frederick, and as an acknow­ledgment that he held those Kingdoms from the Pope, pay him an annual pen­sion of four (some say forty) thousand Pounds.

But having Conquered Maufred and possessed himself of Sicily, he so little mind­ed the regaining of Jerusalem, that he never looked after it or came there at all, which neglect gave an opportunity to Hugh King of Cyprus to furbish up his old Title to that Kingdom as Linealy descended from Almerick the second, who coming to Ptolemais was there Crowned King of Jerusalem.

However the Christians affairs in Syria began now to hasten to their fatal Ca­tastrophe, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem was in a little time between two Kings wholly lost, for Haalon the Tartarian Prince being sent for home to Succeed his Bro­ther Mango, who died without Issue, left Abaga his Son with sufficient forces in the City of Damascus, which he had likewise wan from the Turks, who following his Father, soon after substituted Guirboca his Lieutenant in Damascus, who having his Nephew rashly slain, by the Christians in an unhapy Broil about parting a great Booty taken from the Turks; wholly re­nounced [Page 67]the Christian Religion, together with all the Tartarians under his Com­mand, so that the Kingdom of Jerusalem having lost its best support, soon after tumbled down.

Bondocdar who Succeeded Melechem in Egypt, taking advantage of their being thus deserted by the Tartars, took the City of Joppa, all the inhabitants whereof he either killed; or which was worse, forced them to forswear their Religion, and then marching to Antioch took that likewise, slaying twenty, and carrying away an hundred, thousand Christians, tho' it is to be suspected that the number of the Captives were at first written in figures, and in time increased some thousands by the addition of nothing, after which he laid seige to Ptolemais it self.

Those woful tidings brought into Eu­rope, so wrought on the good dispositi­on of King Lewis, that he resolved upon a second Voyage to Palestine, from which all the perswasions of his Nobles could no way divert him, in which Voyage there went with him his two Sons, Philip and Tristram, Theobald King of Navarre, his Son in law, Guido Earl of Flanders, and Prince Edward eldest Son of Henry King of England, who was attended by his Brother Edmund, Earl surnamed Crouch­back, [Page 68]not because he was crook-shouldered, as was pretended by Henry Duke of Lan­caster, when he usurped King Richard's Throne, but from his being a Croised Sol­dier in the Holy War.

Lewis being now on his way to Palestine, it was concluded by the general consent of his Council, That for securing the Christians passage to Syria, they should first take the City of Carthage in Affrica, or rather Tunis, which being raised out of the Ruins of that famous City, was now become a Nest of Pirates, who had killed and taken captive many Pilgrims, who were sailing that way to the Holy Land. But no sooner was the Siege began than the Plague seized on the Christian Army, whereof Thousands died, and among the rest, Tristram, King Lewis's Son, and he himself of a Flux soon followed after. His loss was much la­mented, he being accounted the French Josia, as well for the Piety of his Life, as the Wofulness of his Death, and his wil­ful ingaging himself in a needless and un­fortunate War.

But notwithstanding this Mortality, the Siege was continued, and Tunis brought into such distress, that they were glad to surrender the Town on these Condi­tions:

That it should pay yearly to Charles, King of Sicily and Jerusalem, the Sum of Forty Thousand Crowns.

That they should receive Christian Mini­sters freely to Exercise their Religion.

And that they should be at the whole charge of that Voyage.

Prince Edward would have had the Town beaten down and all the Inhabitants put to the Sword, accounting the foulest Quarter too fair for such Villains, and their Goods sacrificed as an Anathema to God and burnt to ashes, because gotten by Robbery. But seeing he could not prevail with others, he resolved however to shew his own detestation, by execrating his part of the Spoil, and causing it to be burnt, forbidding the English Soldiers to save any thing of it, telling them, that Coals stolen out of that Fire, would sooner burn their Houses than warm their Hands. It trou­bled not the conscience of other Princes however, to inrich themselves therewith and glut themselves with the stolen Honey found in that Hive of Drones: And not only so, but terminated their Pilgrimage there too, refusing to proceed any further therein. Whereat Edward astonished, struck his Hands on his Breast, and swore, [Page 70]That tho' they all forsook him, yet he would enter Ptolemais, if accompanied with Fowin his Horse-keeper only. And ac­cordingly he arrived safe there, to the great comfort of the Christians, who were in sore distress. Whilst Theobald, King of Navarre, with the Queen, and the Earl of Flanders, died in their way home, and most of the Spoil was cast away.

At his arrival at Ptolemis, he found the Christians just losing their last stake, Bon­docdar having brought them to so low an ebb, that they had resolved if some un­expected Succour reversed not their inten­tions, within three days to resign it up. But Edward's coming in the interim, revived their hopes, and made them take Courage both to desie their Enemies and their own thoughts of surrendring the City. Having sufficiently victualed and manned Ptolemais, he marched with Six or Seven Thousand Men to Nazareth, which he took, and slew those he found therein. And being afterwards informed, that the Turks were gathered together at Cakhow, about Forty Miles from thence, he marched thither, and setting upon them early in the Morn­ing, slew a Thousand of them, and put the rest to flight. In which Battel, as well as in several other Skirmishes, he gave [Page 71]sufficient proof of his own personal Va­lour, slaying many of the Infidels in single combat.

After this Victory he returned to Ptole­mais, where Elenor his Consort was deli­vered of a fair Daugher, but the Joy occa­sioned thereby was soon turned into Sor­row, by the apprehension of his being mortally wounded by one of the Assassines, who resorting to him several times with Letters and Messages from the Admiral of Joppa, who pretended a desire to turn Chri­stian. The first time of his coming, as the Prince was lying on his Bed and reading the Letters he brought, none being in the Room but them two, he suddenly struck him into the Arm with an invenomed Knife, and attempted to have fetched ano­ther blow; but the Prince, whose Valour was now awakened, gave him such a blow with his Foot, that he felled him to the ground, and wresting the poysoned Knife out of his hand, thrust it into the Mur­therer's Belly and slew him; yet so that he hurt himself therewith in the Fore-head. It is storied, that his Lady sucked out all the venom of his Wounds, without pre­judicing her self. But however, certain it is, that by the help of Physick, good Attendance, and an Antidote, the Master of the Templars gave him, he shewed him­self [Page 72]on Horse back safe and well within fif­teen days after.

The Admiral hearing of his recovery, solemnly disavowed his having any hand in the Treachery, it being seldom known that any will own themselves the Parent of an unsucceeding Villany. And having done as much and more than could have been expected from so small a number as he had with him, he returned home full fraught with Honour: And his Father, King Hen­ry, being dead, the English Nobility met him as far as the Alpes, to attend him in his return home.

CHAP. IX.

MUch talk there was now in Syria of the great preparations of Rodulphus, who was after two and twenty years In­terregnum, chosen Emperour of Germany, and though but a meer Earl of Haspurg, yet being now advanced to the Emperial [Page 72]dignity, layed the first foundation of the Anstrian Family, but he was too much imployed at home by Civil Discords, and reducing the Princes to obedience, whose Knees were too stiff to do him Homage, till he had rendered them more pliable by degrees, to think of going into Syria.

But yet being somewhat unwilling to render their great expectations wholly frustrat, he sent the Duke of Mechlenburgh with a good Army to assist the Christians, who coming to Ptolemais made several succesful incursions into the Enemies Countries about Damascus, destroying all before him with fire and sword, and carying away many rich booties, till at last he was circumvented and taken priso­ner by the Mammalukes, who kept him in Captivity twenty six years, till at length the Sultan of Egypt a Runegado German, who had formerly been Enginneer to this Dukes Father, set him at Liberty to­gether with Martin his Servant, thinking it but reasonable, that he who had been his Partner in Misery should likewise per­take of his Happiness; but they were no sooner at Liberty, but they were both took again by Pirats, as they were sail­ing into Syria, which the Sultan hearing of pittied the misfortune of that distressed Prince, and scorning that any should [Page 73]frustrate his designed courtesie, set him free once more, and then returning home he was welcomed with as much wonder as joy by his Subjects, who supposed him to have been dead long before.

When he came home he found two Counterfeits, who both pretended to be the Duke, and challenged lodging with his Lady; but upon his arrival to confute their false pretences they were both condemned to lose their lives, by two contrary deaths, the one being Burn'd, and the other Drowned.

Charles King of Sicily and Jerusalem, having at length made great preparations for the Holy War, and strengthned his claim to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, by purchasing the Title of Maria, Domicella Princess of Antioch, who likewise pre­tended to a Right, he sent Roger Count of Severine as his Vice-Roy to Ptolemais where he was received with a great deal of Honour in despite of King Hugh, but when his Navy and all things were said to be ready for his own departure, and that he had by the way a design upon Michael Paleologus the Grecian Emperour, a sudden and unexpected accident blasted all,

For on Easter-day as the Bell tolled to Even-Song all the Frenchmen in Sicily had their Throats Cut, in a moment by the [Page 74]Natives, the contriver of this Massacre was one, Jacobus Prochyta a Doctor of Physick, who thereby killed more in an hour then he cured in his Whole Life; but the secresie of its contrivance vvas litle less then a Miracle, that so many should knovv of it, and yet none either through acci­dent or design discover it, from vvhence came the Proverb the Sicilian Vispers.

Charles himself was at Rome when this Tragedy was acted, to see the Pope make Cardinals, and when he received the news it struck him so to the Heart that he never injoyed himself after; But living as with­out Life for about two years he died and left his Son Charles to Succeed him in the Kingdom of Naples, and the Title of Jerusalem, who had little remarkable in his Life, but only that being offended with the Templars in Palestine, for taking part with the King of Cyprus against him, he siesed all the Lands, and Goods they had in Naples, or any other part of his dominions.

CHAP. X.

MElechsaites or as others call him Melechmessor, about this time wan [Page 75]the strong Castle of Mergarh, from the Hospitallers, who kept it and banished the Carmalites out of Syria, because they had changed their Habits, at the appoint­ment of Pope Honorious; the Turks being generally haters of innovations.

And Alphir who was his next Successor, understanding that the Christian Princes of Europe were at variance among them­selves, resolved to lay hold of that oppor­tunity as the fitest time finally to expel the Christians out of Palestine, and therefore coming out of Egypt with a great Army, he besieged and won the Cities of Tripo­li, Sidon, and Berytus, and being incourag­ed with this Success, he adventured to Besiege Tyre it self and notwithstand­ing its invincible strength, took it in a very short time, and beat it down to the ground as he did the other three Cities.

So that now there remained nothing of all that the Christians had won in Palestine, but Ptolemais, which he might easily have taken, if he would have sate down before with his Army, but he was unwilling to venture for fear, least if he should attempt the taking all from them at once, he might thereby alarum the Christian Prin­ces to repair thither for their Relief; and therefore concluded a Peace with the Venetians for five years, thinking that the bitter potion would be the more easily [Page 76]swallowed by them, if it were devided in­to two doses.

But tho' the City Ptolemais did at this time escape the Turks Victorious Arms' yet it was notwithstanding in a most Wofull and Dismal condition, for there were in it some of all Countrys, and e­very Nation had their several Courts, to deside causes in; so that the great plenty of Judges occasiond a scarcity of Justice, and Malefactors when they were impeach­ed for any Crime, would by appealing to a Tryal in the Court of their own Country: escape the deserved Punish­ment, it being a sufficient proof of the Criminals innocency in the Venetians, or Genoans Court, to say, that he was a Sub­ject of the State, to which the Court be­longed; wherefore Personal Crimes were made National, and particular faults by being espoused, rendered publick offences, so that outrages were every where practis­ed, and no where punished, as if they had been resolved to spare Divine Vengance the pains of overtaking them, by going forth to meet it.

Besides which there was at this time a great number of Pretenders, eagerly pro, secuting their several Titles to that City being no fewer then the Venetians, Geno­ans, Pisans, Florentins, the King of Cyprus [Page 76]and Sicily, the Agents of the King of England and France, the Princes of Tripoli and Antioch, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Master of the Templars and Hospitallers, and the Popes Legate, who would if he were now living think himself highly a­bused, in not being first named. All which Pretenders did at once with much Heat and Violence, urge there Right to the Airy Title of the Kingdom of Jerusalem; and the Command of that City, like Bees making the greatest noise and Bwzzing, when they were just ready to forsake the Hive.

There was within the City at this time many new Pilgrims, who were lately come thither out of Europe, five hundred where­of were of the Popes sending, altho' he afterwards took no care for their Pay, for tho' he loved to see the Golden Tide flow into his Coffers, yet he could not in­dure to see it ebb again. But the soldiers being not paid resolved according to their blunt but usual custom to pay themselves, and therefore Marching out of the City Pillaged the Enemies Country, contrary to the Peace made with Alphir. The Turks demand satisfaction, which was not only denied by those of Ptolomais, but their Embassadors likewise abused.

Which so inraged Sultan Serapha ( Al­phir [Page 77]being now dead) that he gathered together all his Forces, and sat down be­fore the City, with an Army of six hundred thousand men say some Historians, tho' others make them not half the number, and concluding that that City was so great a purchase, that if once obtained it could not be too dearly bought, he re­solved to take it before he stirred from the place.

Peter Belvise Master of the Templars, a Valiant and Couragious General, being made Governour of the City by the gener­al consent of those within, he incouraged the Christians to be Valiant, and play the Men and not like Prodigal Heirs part with the City for nothing, which cost their Predecessors so much pains, and Blood to get, or at leastwise to make one Blaze of Valour before their Lamp ex­pired, telling them, it would be a shame for them to shew their Friends their Faces, if they turned their Backs to their Ene­mies; and thefore exhorted them to fight it out manfully, that so if forced at last to surrender it they might rather be pittied for want of Fortune, then justly blamed for lack of Valour. And the City being now to wrestle its last fall, he stripped it of all things that were combersom and un­useful, for all the Women and Children [Page 79]and the Men too that were either aged or feeble, and had Mouths to eat and no Arms to fight he sent away, retaining on­ly twelve thousand, which he conceived enough to defend the place notwithstand­ing the vast number of the besiegers.

The Sultan Assaulted the City divers times with great Fury, but was still beaten back by the Christians Artillery, and great numbers of the Turks killed, but in one of those conflicts the undaunted Govern­our was unfortunately slain by a poysoned Arrow; a loss above grieving for, and the greater because irreparable, many indeed were strong in desiring the Honour, but all too weak to discharge the Office; so that the Christians being devided a­mong themseves neglected to defend the City, imagining that if it should be taken, yet every Nation would be able to defend its part in regard their buildings were all fortified within themselves, which idle and dangerous fancy took off their thoughts from minding the publick good, and fixed them only on their own private ends.

The Turks at length taking the advant­age of this Preposterous neglect, entred the City at a breach which they had made in the Wall, by undermining of it, think­ing their work had then been done, tho' [Page 80]they quickly found to their cost that it was but just begun, for to their astonish­ment and wonder, they found Ptolemais not a City but a great heap of Citys, as it were thrown together, the people of every Nation having so Fortified them­selves in their several Forts, that they didfrom thence Power forth whole vollies of shot upon the Turks, when they enter­ed the Streets, which makes it a thing hardly to be paralell'd in History, for a City to hold out so long after it was taken, for they bravely defended themselves a­gainst the Whole Turkish power for fifty days together, and after all the rest were subdued the Knights Hospitallers who all­ways bore an implacable hatred to the Turks, maintained their Castle near a month long­er, but their unhappy devision render­ing them unable to subsist long, they were at length most of them slain, and the City wholy subdued by there numerous enemies.

However it was a Bloody Victory to the Conquerour, most of those who enter­ed the City being burned with Fire, kill­ed with Arrows, or Smothered by the fall of Towers, of the very Ruins being as it were greedy of revenge, killed those who destroyed them.

Ptolemais being now taken the Sultan thought it a good penyworth, tho' it cost [Page 80]him so dear, and therefore to make sure work and prevent all feuture occasion of E­jecting such sturdy Tennants, Levelled it even with the Ground.

No fewer then an hundred thousand Christians which were all the Latines that were left; fled at this time out of Pales­tine into Cyprus, where they were freely entertained by Henry King of that Island and Jerusalem, to his great cost but greater commendation.

Five hundred Matrons and Virgins of Noble Blood, are by the Mirracle Mong­er of that age, said to stand on the shore of Ptolemais, with all their rich Jewels & cry out with a lamentable voice for some body to Transport them from that dange­rous place, proffering any Marriner that would undertake it all their Wealth for his pains, and that he should chose out of them any one whom he best liked for a Wife, and that thereupon a certain Marriner came and Transported them all freely, Landing them safely in Cyprus. But when he was sent for to receive his Hire, it could not by the strictest en­quiry be ever learnt who this Marriner was, or what became of him afterwards.

The Hospitallers were forced for hast to leave their Treasure behind them which they hid in a Vault, making it known [Page 81]from time to time to their Successors. About three hundred years after it was fetch'd away by the Galleys of Malta.

Thus after an hundred thirty four years had this Holy War its final period, hav­ing been for continuance the longest, for Charges the most expensive, for Slaught­er of Men the most Bloody, for Pre­tence the most Pious, and for the True In­tent of it the most Politick and Subtil that ever the World saw. And at this day the Turks to spare the Christians pains in going so far as Palestine, have done them the unwelcome courtesie, to come more then half the way to meet them, but yet it is to be hoped that if they lose Buda, which they cannot in all possibili­ty avoid, they will be wholly driven out of Europe, by the Victorious Arms of the Christians; and that it will not be long before their vast and overgrown Empire be finally ruined, and sink under the Ponderous Weight of its own greatness, to which let all who love the name of Christ, say, Amen.

CHAP. XI.

SInce the Holy War was ended there hath been some offers of Christian Princes to revive it again. For Henry the Fourth King of England, towards the lat­ter end of his Reign, purposed to have made a Voyage into Palestine, being told by some pretenders to the gift of Prophesie, that he should not die tell he had heard Mass in Jerusalem, but Henry was deceiv­ed, and the Voyage prevented by his dying soon after in a Chamber in his own Palace, at Westminster called by that name. And Charles the Eighth King of France af­ter his return out of Italy, sent a huffing Embassage to our Henry the seventh, where­in he gave him to understand that he had re­solved to make a second conquest of Naples, with a design to make use of it as a bridge, to transport his Forces into Grecia, resolv­ing neither to spare blood nor treasure, altho' it were to the imparing of his Crown, and dispeopling of his Kingdom, till he had either ruined the Ottaman Em­pire, [Page 84]or taken it in his way to Par adice, (meaning the City of Jerusalem) but the French having had enough of the first ad­venture for Naples, we never hear more of this threatned Voyage, to Jerusalem which is thought to be propounded, only to amuse Henry till Charles should have per­formed some projects he had then on foot, in the Dukedom of Britain, which design being scented by our King he used him ac­cordingly.

More Cordial was the design of James the Fourth of Scotland, Who being touch­ed in conscience for his Fathers death (which tho' he did not procure, yet he seemed to countenance by his presence) to expiate his Crime, intended a voyage to the Holy Land. In order whereunto he had prepared his Souldiers, and imparted his design to For­rein Princes, and had certainly gon had not other wars breaking out unexpectedly, and his own sudden death prevented him.

Among those Overtures, we find one said to be really performed by William Lant­grave of Hesse, who with only Ninety eight Noble-men and Earls in his Company, made a Holy Voyage into Palestine, which he performed in Seven Months time. And upon his return, brought away with him Forty six Ensigns of Horse, which he had taken from the Turks, with the loss of one [Page 84]Man only, and he not slain neither, but died at Cyprus in their return home. A Vi­ctory so absolute and bloodless to the Con­querour, that were it true it would admit no parallel; but the Voyage and Victory were both fictitious, being found only in Calvisious, who quotes one Fab, an Histo­rian no where to be met withal, for his Author; and the Chronology wherein it is recorded being Printed after the Author's death, it is most probable, that those to whom the care of Printing it was commit­ted, found this story in some Paper he had put in his Chronicle, and for the improba­bility of it, marked it to be Fabulous; which word in regard he had written it defectively with the three first Letters only, they thought to have been some Hi­storian whose Name was Fab, and so inserted it in the Chronicle it self.

Ever since the huffing Embassy of Charles, the French King, the Holy War hath, for any thing I can find to the contrary, been wholly laid asleep till revived again by the present Emperour of Germany, and John Sobieski, King of Poland, in the Year 1683. The occasion whereof was briefly thus:

The Grand Seignior having by the per­suasions of Count Teckeley, sent an huge Army under the leading of the Grand Vi­zier, to invade the Imperial Territories in [Page 85] Hugaria; against which the Duke of Lo­rain, who then commanded the Emperours Forces there, being not able to make head, they destroyed all before them with Fire and Sword; and passing forward, sat down before Vienna, the Imperial City of Germany, not doubting but that they should with their vast Army have quickly devour­ed that Important Place, and notwith­standing its having been ever accounted the Bulwork of Christendom, have added it to the rest of the Ottoman Conquest. The Emperour of Germany, and the King of Poland, seeing the sad Estate to which things were now like to be reduced, en­tered into a League offensive and defensive, and resolved with their united Forces, to chastise the Turk for that proud Attempt.

The Vizier's Army, wherewith he had now begirt Vienna, consisted of an Hun­dred and Fifty Thousand Men, which were the very Flower of the Turkish Sol­diery, wherewith he made several fierce Attacks upon the City, which were carried on with all the Courage and Skill imagin­able, and sprang several Mines, whereby he did more mischief, than by his Batte­ries. Notwithstanding which, the City, by the resolution and encouragement of Count Starembergh, their undaunted Go­vernor, bravely defended it self from the [Page 87]fourteenth of July, till the twelfth of the following September, when the Turks were Forced to raise the Siege, and retire with great disorder into Hungaria, whither they were so closely persued by the Victo­rious Christians, that very few of that nu­merous Army escaped to carry the tidings, of their Overthrow to Constantinople. Vast quantities of Provision and Amunition, a­bove an hundred pieces of Cannon, two Horse Tayls, which the Turks allways use to hang out as a Denounciation of War, when ever they undertake any great ex­pedition, all their Tents, which were a­bove thirty thousand in number, all the Enemies Baggage, together with the Vi­ziers own Horse, and the Grand Seignors STANDARD, which was extraordinary Rich and Sumptuous, being curiously Em­broidered with charactars of Gold and Sil­ver, upon Green and Red Silk, were here taken by the Christians, as Trophies of their Victory; the form and shape of the Standard you have here described in this fi­gure. The Infidels receiving likwise at the same time several great overthrows by the Sieur Kiniski, General of the Cossacks who having slain about thirty thousand Turks and Taratrs, entred the Country of Budzi­ak destroying all before him, slaying an hundred thousand of them, and taking the Cities of Bialogrod, and Ketin.

The Christians incouraged by these Victories resolved to persue them, and drive the Turks quite out of Europe, in order whereunto after they had taken the City of Tytchin, and several other places which the Turks held in Upper Hungaria, the Duke of Lorraein invested Buda it self with the greatest part of the Imperial Army, Com­manding Count Leslie to Encamp with the rest, about Virovitzie, on the Drave, to cover the Siege. This City is the strong­est place the Turks injoy in Hungary, it be­ing formerly the Metropolis of that King­dom, where the Kings of Hungary kept their Courts, but being taken from the Christians in the Year 1591. By Solyman the Magnificent, Emperor of the Turks; they have ever since made it the seat and con­stant residence of their Chief Bassa, or Vice-Roy of that part of Hungary, which is ssposseed by them, so that it is very popu­lous and rich. And being exceedingly well fortified with a strong built Wall, and an Invincible Castle, and having between 18 or 19 Thousand Men in Garison, they have made a stout resistance, and declared a resolution to defend it to the last Man. Notwithstanding which it is verily be­lieved that it cannot hold out much long­er, but the Turks must be forced to surren­der that City to the Emperor, after hav­ing injoyed it near an hundred years.

And that the Turk might be imployed on all sides, the Venetians were invited like­wise into this League against them, which they accepted of, and sent out a brave fleet under the Command of their Generall Morosini, to attack them at home, to whch Fleet the Pope and the Knights of Malta also joyned several of their Galleys, and so did the Duke of Tuscany, making in all forty six Galleys, six Galliesses, thirty three Men of War, twenty four Petaches, four Fire Ships, sixteen Brigantines armed, and eighty two Galliots, on Board where­of they had an Army of twenty five thou­sand Men or upwards.

Sancta Maria a strong Fortress of great consequence to the Turks, was the first place that felt the force of their victorious Arms, which be­ing quickly compelled to a surrender, they took their course towardsd Lepanto. And General Mora­seni concluding it necessary, for the maintaining the Conquest of Sancta Maria, to possess himself of Prevese, a place of great importance in regard it is situated at the very entrance, and Commands the Gulf of Arta, resolved to attempt it.

Wherefore having Commanded five Galleys and six Galliesses, to approach towards the Castles of Gomenizze, not far from Prevese, thereby to amuse the Turks and oblige them to devide their Troops, by sending reinforcements thither, which succeeded accordingly. For Saban Bassà Governour of Pre­vese, believing the Ventians designed to attack those Castles, sent thither the greatest part of those he had drawn together, for the security of [Page 89]the Town. He brought his whole Fleet to an Anchor at the entrance of the Gulfe, and the next morning ordred Captain Menetta with twenty four Barks, and several Armed Brigantines to enter the Gulph, and land with part of the Forces under the Command of General Strasoldo. The Turks who ex­pected them to land where the Galleys had posted themselves, and had therefore imployed their Chief care on that side, now perceiving their error, immediately sent away five hundred Spahees to charge them, but they having put themselves into order of Battail, gave them so hot a welcome that many af them were slain, and the rest fled in such disor­der that they were most of them cut off, before they could reach the Town. Then the Christians advancing, and having without opposition pos­sessed themselves of a Hill near the Town, the General sent to summon it, but the Officer who cammanded it in the absence of the Governour, (who was then abroad at the Head of a party of Turks, to observe the Christians and fancied they durst not undertake the Siege of so strong a place,) would not receive the Generals letter, but fired upon the Messenger that carried it; Whereupon four pieces of Cannon and as many Mortars were landed, and being placed upon a Battery, the next day about three hundred Bombs were shot into the Town, which burnt several Houses, and before night all their Cannon were dismounted, except one. The next day they Lodged themselves in the Ditch, & began to undermine the great Tower, whereupon twenty Turks made a salley in the night, & surprised some of the Christians, which did but whet the Christi­ans Valour, and make them carry on their works with the greater eagerness and speed, notwith­standing the Enemy plyed them very close, with their small shot. So that the Mine being ready and a considerable breach made in the Wall, order was [Page 91]given for a general asault, but the Turks unwilling to run that hazzard, hung out a white flag and sent five of their Principals to treat with the Gener­al, about surrendering the place. Who demanded the same conditions that were granted to the gari­son of Sancta Maria, but the General would consent to no other terms, then only to permit thirty of the most considerable of them to march out with their arms, and baggage, and the rest without arms, taking with them what they could carry, which the Turks were forced to submit to, and leave the Town to the Conqerours. The Turks by the loss of this place, besides the Town it self lost above 100000 Crowns, which they got yearly by the Fishery.

This War may very well be parallel'd to the sor­mer and as Justly deserves the Name of Holy.

First, because in this War the Quarrel is between Christians and Turks, as well as in that and the de­sign of the Wariours, is to Check the spreading of the Mahometan Superstition, as well as to put a stop to the progress of the Ottoman Arms.

Secondly, as the former was undertaken to wrest from the Turks, what had been before injoyed by the Christians, and free the Professors of Chrstianity from the Yoak of Infidelity, so was this.

Thirdly, as the former had the blessing of the Pope, and his Holiness's Contribution of money, and men for the carrying of it on, so had this & therefore will without doubt be looked upon, by Succeeding ages, as an Holy and Religious War, which I hope will ne­ver have a Period, till Mahomets Tomb be tumbled down, and the Ottoman Empire overthrown.