RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2473
year: 1244
initiator: Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, the papal legate, Henricus archiepiscopus Nazarenus, J. Cesariensis electus, R. episcopus Acconensis, Sydonensis episcopus, frater Guillermus de Rokaforti vicemagister domus militiae Templi and his order’s convent, H. prior Dominici Sepulchri, abbas Sancti Samuelis Praemonstratensis ordinis, B. abbas Montis Oliveti, J. abbas Templi Domini, P., abbas Montis Thabor and R. abbas Montis Syon
text: Nov. 25. Acre. In a general letter addressed under seal to the prelates and clergy in the kingdoms of France and England, Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, the papal legate, Henricus archiepiscopus Nazarenus, J. Cesariensis electus, R. episcopus Acconensis, Sydonensis episcopus, frater Guillermus de Rokaforti vicemagister domus militiae Templi and his order’s convent, H. prior Dominici Sepulchri, abbas Sancti Samuelis Praemonstratensis ordinis, B. abbas Montis Oliveti, J. abbas Templi Domini, P., abbas Montis Thabor and R. abbas Montis Syon describe the disasters they have faced in the Holy Land: the invasion by way of Saphet and Tiberias of the nomadic Khorezmians, who had been expelled from their lands by the Mongols; their alliance with the sultan of Egypt; their occupation of the land from Turon Militum, near Jerusalem, to Gaza; the defensive alliance of the Christians, led by the magistri of the Knights Templar and the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, the praeceptor of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans and the nobles with the sultans of Damascus and Homs [Chamela]; the evacuation of the Christians from the city of Jerusalem, trusting in a truce with the sultan of Kerak and the rustici Sarraceni in the mountains, and their losses on the way to Ramla; the Khorezmian occupation of Jerusalem and massacre of those seeking refuge in the church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was vandalized, together with the tombs of the kings, the profanities at Mt Sion, the Templum Domini, St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat and the church of the Nativity at Bethlehem. The patriarch and others describe the advance of the Christian army from Acre along the coast by way of Caesarea, the granting of an indulgence to the soldiers, and the battle before Gaza [La Forbie] on 17 October. Of the convents of the military orders, only 33 Knights Templar, 26 Hospitallers of St John and 3 Hospitallers of St Mary of the Germans escaped, as did the patriarch of Jerusalem, the constabularius Acconensis, Philippus de Monteforti and others who fled to Ascalon. Most nobles and knights were taken or killed. It is not known whether the archbishop of Tyre, the bishop of Ramla [episcopus Sancti Georgii], the abbas of St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the magister of the Knights Templar, the praeceptor of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans and many other churchmen have been killed or captured. The magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and comes Galterus de Brena have been taken as prisoners to Cairo. The patriarch and others have sent letters to the king of Cyprus and the prince of Antioch, but do not know what response there has been. They are now in Acre, while the Khorezmians roam through the land as far as Nazareth and Saphet, dividing up the properties amongst themselves and exacting the rents. They have received letters from Ascalon, where the castellan and brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem are being besieged by the Egyptians, appealing for assistance. Fearful that unless aid from Europe arrives on the next passage in March the land will be lost, the patriarch and others beseech for help. They are sending the bishop of Beirut and Arnulphus ordinis Praedicatorum, risking the dangers of a winter sailing, to explain the situation further.
Nov. 25. Acre. In a general letter addressed under seal to the prelates and clergy in the kingdoms of France and England, Patriarch Robert of Jerusalem, the papal legate, Henricus archiepiscopus Nazarenus, J. Cesariensis electus, R. episcopus Acconensis, Sydonensis episcopus, frater Guillermus de... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 4:337-344; see also ‘Annales monasterii. Burtonensis’, pp. 257-63 (RRH no. 1127)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2474
year: 1244
initiator: Emperor Frederick II
text: Nov. 1-30? In a general letter addressed to all princes, the emperor Frederick II reports that he has received letters brought by frater S., an emissary of Patriarch Albert of Antioch, describing the switching of alliances from Egypt to the sultans of Damascus and Kerak, the invasion of the Khorezmians, the mustering of the Christian army on the borders of Egypt at Gaza, the arrival of the patriarch of Jerusalem, the evacuation of the inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem under the magistri of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans, the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar, their return, the Khorezmian assault on the city and the massacre of the inhabitants, including those who had sought refuge in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. He blames this turn of events on the abandonment of the policy of R. comes Cornubie who, together with the magistri of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and St Mary of the Germans, was acting on behalf of King Conrad.
Nov. 1-30? In a general letter addressed to all princes, the emperor Frederick II reports that he has received letters brought by frater S., an emissary of Patriarch Albert of Antioch, describing the switching of alliances from Egypt to the sultans of Damascus and Kerak, the invasion of the... more
sources: Huillard-Bréholles 6/1:236-40 (RRH no. 1126)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2476
year: 1244
initiator: Henry, rex Cipri
recipient: Emperor Frederick II
text: End of the year. King Henry of Cyprus writes to the emperor Frederick, begging for assistance for the Holy Land and commending his emissary, A.
End of the year. King Henry of Cyprus writes to the emperor Frederick, begging for assistance for the Holy Land and commending his emissary, A.
sources: Huillard-Bréholles 6/2:914-915 (RRH no. 1128)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2457
year: 1244
initiator: Abbot Boniface and the community of Cîteaux
recipient: Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus
text: Mar. 1-31. Abbot Boniface and the community of Cîteaux write under seal to Eustorgius archiepiscopus Nicosiensis and his chapter, thanking them for their agreement to the establishment of an abbey of Cistercian nuns, saving the rights of the church of Nicosia with regard to tithes and burials. The new abbey has been founded by domina A., the widow of dominus Philippus de Ybellino. It is situated in Nicosia, between the houses of the Dominicans and the Franciscans.
Mar. 1-31. Abbot Boniface and the community of Cîteaux write under seal to Eustorgius archiepiscopus Nicosiensis and his chapter, thanking them for their agreement to the establishment of an abbey of Cistercian nuns, saving the rights of the church of Nicosia with regard to tithes and burials. The... more
sources: Coureas and Schabel, The Cartulary, p. 170, no. 64 (RRH no. 1117)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2459
year: 1244
initiator: Hermannus Petragoricensis, master of the Knights Templar
recipient: Brother Robert de Sanford, Templar praeceptor in England
institution: Templars
text: Apr. or May. [372] Offensive alliance against Egypt made by the Christian leaders with the sultan of Damascus and the Muslim ruler of Kerak. Frater Hermannus Petragoricensis pauperis militia Templi minister humilis writes to Brother Robert de Sanford, Templar praeceptor in England. He describes how the sultan of Egypt and Nasserus offered them all the land to the west of the River Jordan. But the sultan of Egypt retained the Christian emissaries, including Knights Templar, for more than 6 months, went back on his words and held on to Gaza, Hebron, Nablus and Darannum. The Christians then turned to the sultan of Damascus and made a truce with him and with Nasserus the lord of Kerak. The sultan of Damascus and lord of Kerak would return all the land west of the River Jordan, except for Hebron, Nablus and Bossanum and agreed to the expulsion of all Sarraceni from Jerusalem, so that after 56 years the Christian liturgy could be celebrated throughout the city. This agreement was controversial, so that on the Knights Templar, the prelates and a few barons rest the defence of the Holy Land. The Knights Templar guard the entry to the land at Gaza, with the assistance of the sultan of Damascus and Nasserus lord of Kerak. They also propose to build a powerful castle near Jerusalem above Toronum.
Apr. or May. [372] Offensive alliance against Egypt made by the Christian leaders with the sultan of Damascus and the Muslim ruler of Kerak. Frater Hermannus Petragoricensis pauperis militia Templi minister humilis writes to Brother Robert de Sanford, Templar praeceptor in England. He describes how... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 4:288-291 (RRH no. 1119)