Al-Kamil himself came down the river to settle at Fariskur not three leagues from Damietta. Thus, Christians found themselves encamped between the sultan and the city, arguing bitterly whether they should tighten the siege or attack the sultan. Near the end of August a horde of discontented pilgrims took it upon themselves to decide and went rushing leaderless against him. The Saracens feigned alarm, retreating, but all at once turned about. Were it not for Hospitalers, Templars, and skillful barons come to their aid these audacious servants of God would have spread their bones along the river bank.
It is said that Brother Francis of Assisi observed the battle with dismay. Now in hopes of arranging a truce he sought permission to go and talk to al-Kamil. Reluctantly, after some debate, he with his companion Brother Illuminato were granted leave to do as they wished. Under a white flag they approached the pagan army bearing no weapon save their faith. And because al-Kamil had issued orders to lop off Christian heads it may be that mameluks who watched these two plodding through the brush considered them mad or otherwise afflicted. However it was, they came into the sultan’s presence unharmed. Brother Francis undertook to preach. Sultan al-Kamil listened. For several days he preached to this Saracen host and was offered numerous gifts, all of which he refused. Take them and distribute them among your Christian paupers, advised the sultan of Egypt. Brother Francis replied that divine providence would comfort the poor. And he offered to walk through fire accompanied by a Saracen priest in order to validate the teaching of Christ. Al-Kamil answered that he should not, nor did the sultan think any Muslim would consent to such a trial. The steadfast devotion of Brother Francis disturbed this heathen lord. Fearing that his soldiers might be converted if they heard much else, he had these friars escorted back to the Christian camp. Yet as they departed he spoke these words to Brother Francis.
Pray for me. Pray that God may disclose the law and the faith that is most true.
All know how deeply Brother Francis felt attracted to the sacred Manger, how he reconstructed it for the devout at Greccio. Perhaps this fervent love summoned him to the Holy Land. Perhaps his journey marked one step toward comprehending the significance of the Cross. While praying at Mount La Verna not long after his return he experienced the stigmata, wounds on his body corresponding to those endured by our merciful Lord. I am told they could be seen to the day of his death, albeit he kept them hidden. Shortly after ascending to Paradise this humble, unwashed servant of God would be canonized by His Holiness Gregory in the year 1228. Beyond doubt the law and the faith that is most true were disclosed to him.
Chronicles from those days assert that al-Kamil longed for peace, feeling much oppressed by the siege of Damietta, which he could ill afford to lose. Olives, grain, fabric, goods of every description from half the world flowed through this port. He therefore assembled the princes of his realm to consult. He reminded them how the Nile was lower than usual and famine threatened. He suggested terms for peace. Christian prisoners would be freed, those newly caught as well as those who had languished so long they forgot their names. What land the Christians had lost would be restored, save the castles of Montréal and Kerak for which Egypt would pay each year as much as these castles might be worth. There should be a truce lasting twenty years. All this would Sultan al-Kamil guarantee if Christians would lift the siege of Damietta.
His counselors did not object. Now the captives were told, which delighted them. They chose Lord Andrew of Nanteuil and John of Arcis to carry the message. Meanwhile the rest stood surety under pain of losing their heads.
These nobles traveled to King John’s tent. The barons assembled to hear what al-Kamil had said. Also present was Cardinal Pelagius Galvani. Two cardinals had accompanied the host, Robert of Courson who was English and this Galvani who came from Portugal. Cardinal Robert soon expired but Pelagius lived, which some thought a great pity since he caused much evil. While Brother Francis preached to Saracens in their camp this legate argued that he had gone over to their misbelief, had converted to Islam. Other clerics agreed. Bishop James wrote from Damietta that the unlettered little mendicant friar was dangerous.
Cardinal Pelagius had no wish to share the earth with any but Christians. He dreamt of subjugating Cairo in order to exterminate Islam throughout the world, to Damascus and beyond. He argued that the sultan’s offer must be deceptive since pagans did not keep their word. Milo, bishop-elect of Beauvais, agreed. Concerning Milo, they say he had more pride than Nebuchadnezzar, which was enough. Together they prevailed.
Back went Andrew of Nanteuil and John of Arcis with dolorous faces to explain that, on advice of Cardinal Pelagius, King John would by no means retreat from Damietta.
Thus matters stood until a November night when certain Franks venturing close to the wall did
