RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1211
year: 1187
initiator: Girardus de Ridefort, master of the Templars
recipient: Pope Urban III
institution: Templars
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: *May 2-c. 31. [Girardus de Ridefort] magister domus militiae Templi writes to Pope Urban III, reporting that he and the magister Ierosolimitani Hospitalis were negotiating a peace between the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli when they heard that a force of 6000 Turci had entered Christian territory. They engaged them [in the battle of the Springs of Cresson, May 1] with only 110 milites. The magister Hospitalis, frater Robertus Frenellus marescallus Templi, frater Iaquelinus and 50 milites and 10 servientes Templi were killed. Others were take prisoner. On Sept. 3 the pope transmitted the news to the archbishop of Canterbury and the English church asking them to encourage princes, barons and the faithful, for the remission of their sins, to help the Knights Templar by providing horses and weapons.
*May 2-c. 31. [Girardus de Ridefort] magister domus militiae Templi writes to Pope Urban III, reporting that he and the magister Ierosolimitani Hospitalis were negotiating a peace between the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli when they heard that a force of 6000 Turci had entered Christian... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 322-4, no. 148
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1233
year: 1187
initiator: Frater Terricus pauperrimae domus templi preceptor, together with his convent
recipient: Pope Urban III
institution: Templars
text: Aug. 1-31. Terricus/Tyricus pauperrime milicie templi preceptor, together with his convent, writes to Pope Urban III. He reports the invasion of the Turci, their siege of the castle of Tiberias and the loss of the Christian army [at Hattin], the capture of the relic of the True Cross and of the king, the great number killed, the escape of the count of Tripoli, domnus Reinoldus Sydonius and domnus Balianus, and the fall of Acre. Only Jerusalem, Ascalon, Tyre and Beirut are still in Christian hands, but the defenders of these cities have nearly all been lost and they cannot be held without divine intervention. Tyre is being constantly attacked and the land between Tyre, Jerusalem and Gaza is overrun. Terricus appeals for help. [216]
Aug. 1-31. Terricus/Tyricus pauperrime milicie templi preceptor, together with his convent, writes to Pope Urban III. He reports the invasion of the Turci, their siege of the castle of Tiberias and the loss of the Christian army [at Hattin], the capture of the relic of the True Cross and of the... more
sources: ‘Annales Colonienses maximi’, p. 793; Chronica regia Coloniensis, p. 137-8 (RRH no. 660)