RRR: Correspondence/envoy
825
year: 1169
initiator: Philippus Neapolitanus, master of the Temple
recipient: Dominus Mauricius de Credone
institution: Templars
text: (c. Mar.) Phil[ippus] Neapolitanus magister miliciae Templi describes how, when he was crati Montis Regalis dominus, he visited the monks of Mt Sinai, who gave him a fragment of the body of St Catherine. While in Constantinople he was presented with a relic of the True Cross by the Emperor Manuel himself, who had been assured by his father that it was genuine. Philippus presents both relics to dominus Mauricius de Credone. [117]
(c. Mar.) Phil[ippus] Neapolitanus magister miliciae Templi describes how, when he was crati Montis Regalis dominus, he visited the monks of Mt Sinai, who gave him a fragment of the body of St Catherine. While in Constantinople he was presented with a relic of the True Cross by the Emperor Manuel... more
sources: Broussillon, La Maison de Craon 1:101, no. 138; also ed. by Farcy, Cartulaire, pp. 10-11
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1044
year: 1179
initiator: Knights Templar
recipient: Pope Alexander III
institution: Templars
text: *Oct. 8 - c. Nov. [160] The Knights Templar inform Pope Alexander III of the death of the magister militie Templi and the senescalcus militie Templi and the capture [by the Muslims] of the castle [of Vadum Iacob]. This is implied in general letters addresssed by the pope to prelates and Christian rulers on Feb 22 and Apr 12 1180, calling for aid for the Templars.
*Oct. 8 - c. Nov. [160] The Knights Templar inform Pope Alexander III of the death of the magister militie Templi and the senescalcus militie Templi and the capture [by the Muslims] of the castle [of Vadum Iacob]. This is implied in general letters addresssed by the pope to prelates and Christian... more
sources: Hiestand, PTJ 1:307-8, nos. 120-21
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1148
year: 1184
initiator: Baldwin IV
recipient: E., magister Templi A. and magister sanctae domus Hospitalis Jerusalem R.
institution: Templars
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: c. Oct. King Baldwin [IV] of Jerusalem writes to Patriarch E., magister Templi A. and magister sanctae domus Hospitalis Jerusalem R, [who had left in June, [190] carrying with them the royal banner and the keys to the Tower of David, the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre to present to the Emperor Frederick I, King Philip II of France or King Henry II of England, should one of them agree to come to the assistance of the Holy Land]. He is glad to hear from them that they have landed safely at Brindisi. He reports that c. 9 -10 July Saladin invaded the territory of Cratum and devastated the region for 3 weeks. On 31 July he penetrated the city of Cratum and, erecting 14 petraries, besieged the castle for 4 weeks. On learning of the approach of the king, he burnt his siege engines and withdrew by way of Nablus, which he devastated, while the population sought refuge in the castle. He then proceeded to Sebasten, the bishop of which redeemed his city and 80 captives, Arabia, Magnum Gerinum, Parvum Gerinum, a Templar villa, and the Hospitaller castle of Belverium, devastating the land and seizing captives as he went.
c. Oct. King Baldwin [IV] of Jerusalem writes to Patriarch E., magister Templi A. and magister sanctae domus Hospitalis Jerusalem R, [who had left in June, [190] carrying with them the royal banner and the keys to the Tower of David, the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre to present to the... more
sources: Delaville Le Roulx, Cart Hosp 1:444-5, no 662; also ed. in Ralph of Diceto 2:27-8 (RRH no. 638)
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)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1234
year: 1187
initiator: Frater Terricus pauperrimae domus templi preceptor, together with his convent
recipient: Templars in the West
institution: Templars
text: Aug. 1-31. Frater Terricus pauperrimae domus templi preceptor, together with his convent, writes to his brother Templars [in the West]. 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, including 230 Templars, who were beheaded, to which loss should be added the 60 who were killed on 1 May. Only the lord of Tripoli, dominus Reginaldus Sidonis, dominus Balovius and Terricus himself escaped. Saladin then advanced on Acre. Much of the land has fallen. 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.
Aug. 1-31. Frater Terricus pauperrimae domus templi preceptor, together with his convent, writes to his brother Templars [in the West]. 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... more
sources: ‘Gesta regis Henrici secundi’ 2:13-14 [217] (RRH no. 660)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1260
year: 1188
initiator: Corradus, son of the marquess of Montferrat
recipient: Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury
institution: Templars
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Sept. 20. Tyre. Conradus filius marchionis de Monte Ferrario writes to Archbishop [Baldwin] of Canterbury. He describes the fall of Jerusalem and the Holy Places and the danger threatening Antioch. He has preserved Tyre, in spite of the hostility of Guido de Lisigniaco quondam rex, the magister of the Templars and the local magnates. The magister of the Templars has withdrawn the money given in alms by the king of England. The Hospitallers, on the other hand, have spent more than 8000 brabantini of their own money, over and above the English alms, on the defence of Tyre. Appealing for assistance, Conradus is sending magister Bandinus, his cancellarius et secretarius, and Johannes, a miles and his familiaris, to the archbishop to inform him orally of the situation.
Sept. 20. Tyre. Conradus filius marchionis de Monte Ferrario writes to Archbishop [Baldwin] of Canterbury. He describes the fall of Jerusalem and the Holy Places and the danger threatening Antioch. He has preserved Tyre, in spite of the hostility of Guido de Lisigniaco quondam rex, the magister of... more
sources: Ralph of Diceto 2:60-2 (RRH no. 676)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1269
year: 1189
initiator: Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem
recipient: Pope Clement III
institution: Templars
text: After Oct 4. [224] Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem and others write to Pope Clement III, reporting the death of the master of the Knights Templar [Gerard of Ridefort] and 20 of his brothers during the siege of Acre.
After Oct 4. [224] Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem and others write to Pope Clement III, reporting the death of the master of the Knights Templar [Gerard of Ridefort] and 20 of his brothers during the siege of Acre.
sources: Hiestand, PTJ 1:392-3, 396-9, nos. 217, 222
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1445
year: 1199
initiator: Pope Innocent III
recipient: Magister and brothers of the Knights Templar
institution: Templars
text: Jun. 11. Pope Innocent III writes to the magister and brothers of the Knights Templar, intervening in a dispute between them and the canons of St Quentin in the diocese of Artois.
Jun. 11. Pope Innocent III writes to the magister and brothers of the Knights Templar, intervening in a dispute between them and the canons of St Quentin in the diocese of Artois.
sources: Innocent III, Die Register 2:182-4, no. 87
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1492
year: 1201
initiator: King Leon I of Cilician Armenia
recipient: Pope Innocent III
institution: Templars
text: Oct. 1. Sis. King Leon I of Cilician Armenia assures Pope Innocent III of his devotion. He reports that the vexillum sancti Petri sent by the pope has arrived and will always be carried in his armies against enemies of the Cross. He is maintaining peace with the citizens of Antioch and the count of Tripoli, but he informs the pope that the count of Tripoli and the citizens of Antioch have sent messengers to Roconidinus [Rukn ad-Din Sulaiman of Konya] entering into an alliance against him. He has stationed himself on the borders of Antioch. He has committed the case of his nephew Rupinus to the papal legates, but asks for the archbishop of Mainz to be made judge in his cause. He is grateful to the pope for writing to the count of Tripoli. In July he led his army on campaign against the Muslims, who are divided among themselves, and asked the Knights Templar, whose possessions in his country are worth 20000 besants, to come to his aid. The Templars came to Antioch and Leon asked the magister to join with him and the patriarch of Antioch in sending messengers to the Holy See over the issue of Gaston, which the pope wanted him to surrender to the Knights Templar. Leon offered to hand over Gaston provided the Templars gave support to his nephew Rupinus and lodged him in that castle. He and Rupinus sought to become confratres and assist the Templars in recovering another of their castles called Trapesach, but the Templars refused. Leon assures the pope of his attachment to the Latin faith. He is sending to the pope as a representative his miles called Garnerius Teuton.
Oct. 1. Sis. King Leon I of Cilician Armenia assures Pope Innocent III of his devotion. He reports that the vexillum sancti Petri sent by the pope has arrived and will always be carried in his armies against enemies of the Cross. He is maintaining peace with the citizens of Antioch and the count of... more
sources: Innocent III, ‘Register’ 214:1003-6, no. 43 (RRH no. 785)