Al-Kamil and this uncommon emperor began to exchange letters in which they considered such topics as immortality of the soul, the origin of the universe, and the logic of Aristotle. And when the sultan discovered that Frederick enjoyed studying the behavior of animals he shipped apes, bears, dromedaries, and elephants to Sicily. He felt greatly pleased to learn that Frederick disliked the persistent war between Muslim and Christian.
In our year of grace 1226 Frederick embarked for the promised land, taking but six hundred knights and not many sergeants as if he thought the expedition meaningless. Three days at sea Landgrave Louis of Thuringia succumbed to plague. Frederick quickly changed course to Otranto where he disembarked and hurried off to bathe in the springs of Pozzuoli. There he lingered until His Holiness Gregory excommunicated him. Such harsh treatment seemed to him unjust. He argued that he felt ill and vowed he would continue the journey. It is said the pontiff cursed him, accused him of poisoning Landgrave Louis. And those palmers in the expedition felt dismayed, thinking the emperor’s conduct disgraceful.
Once more he embarked for the Holy Land, accompanied now by seventy galleys as well as transports stuffed with knights and footmen. He put in at Cyprus, at Limassol where Richard Lionheart disembarked four decades earlier. To the lord of Arsuf, Jean d’Ibelin, who was then at Nicosia, he sent a courier.
I pray you and request you to come and dine with me, bringing your children and your friends, for I would honor and reward you.
Jean d’Ibelin willingly complied, traveling at once to Limassol where Frederick greeted him with every appearance of respect and called him Uncle. One favor was asked, that he with his retinue take off the black robes they wore in memory of Jean’s brother Philip who recently had died. Your pleasure at my arrival, said the emperor, ought to exceed the sorrow of your loss.
Jean d’Ibelin cheerfully acceded, whereupon Frederick gave him a scarlet cloak and some fine jewels. Jean responded with grace for he was half-French, half-Greek, assured in the labyrinth of diplomacy. My body, my heart, and my worldly goods I place at the disposition of the emperor, said he.
You shall be rewarded, Frederick answered. You shall be repaid amply and richly.
That night he ordered a postern in the wall adjoining the garden to be opened. Three thousand of his men were admitted through this gate, sergeants, arbalesters, mariners, who quartered themselves in stables, bedrooms, and elsewhere.
Next morning Frederick insisted that Jean d’Ibelin sit beside him at table and Jean’s two sons would serve, one with the cup, another with the bowl. Sir Anceau de Brie should carve, a muscular youth whose blotched skin, flat nose, and fierce expression made everyone think of a leopard. At Frederick’s table sat the king of Cyprus, the king of Salonika, the marquis of Lancia, and various high barons, all seated in such a way that they might watch the emperor when he spoke. Not until they had almost finished eating did Frederick announce the presence of his men. Here came almost an hundred, each gripping a dagger or a sword.
I require of you two things, said the emperor to his guest. First, you shall hand over to me the city of Beyrouth. Second, you have for ten years acted as bailiff of Cyprus since the death of King Hugh, therefore you must pay me what it is worth. That is, ten years of rent, which is my right according to German usage.
Sire, Jean d’Ibelin answered, I believe you mock me. Or it may be that some who hate me have counseled you to demand this.
Frederick touched himself on the head. I will have my way, said he. By this head, which often has worn the crown, I will have my way concerning these things I ask, else you are prisoners.
The lord of Arsuf stood up and spoke with great pride. Beyrouth do I have and hold as my rightful fief, since it was given to me by Queen Isabella, who was my sister on my mother’s side and a daughter of King Amalric. By the alms of Christendom and my own labor have I maintained and strengthened it. As for the regency and governance of Cyprus, I received no rent. Nor will I deny what I have said upon fear of death or threat of prison.
Your words are fine, the emperor said. But I will show you how subtlety of thought will not prevail.
Jean d’Ibelin answered. When I arranged to come here I was told by my council that you would do what you are now doing. I refused to believe it, yet I came fully aware. I should rather meet prison or death at your hands than have it thought or said that the worth of our Lord and the conquest of the Holy Land were neglected by me or by those of my lineage. I am prepared to endure all that might happen because of the love I bear our Lord who suffered death for us and who will deliver us. If it shall be His wish or design that I suffer death or imprisonment, then do I thank Him for it. In every way do I submit to Him.
Having said as much, Jean d’Ibelin sat down. Those at the table were astounded and afraid. They looked from him to the emperor. It is said that clerics intervened. So at last all agreed that the court of Jerusalem should decide. Meanwhile twenty Cypriot lords would be delivered up as hostage. By their selves, their goods, and their estates would they pledge Jean d’Ibelin to serve the emperor and warrant he should appear at court
