1703

(1214). John, Dei gratia Jerosolimorum Rex et Comes Brenensis, gives Abbot Gervase of Prémontré and his convent news of events in the Holy Land. The situation is deteriorating day by day, with the kingdom facing poverty and a lack of defenders. There are truces with the Sarraceni, but it is feared that these will soon be broken, because the kingdom’s weakness is obvious. John asks for prayers. He adds that he and his daughter are well and that, with the advice of his prelates and barones, he is marrying the daughter of the king of [Cilician] Armenia, hoping to acquire great assistance as a result.