As we drew near the king’s galley I became excited and started to shout. My lord! My lord! I exclaimed. See how I am provided! He for his part looked at me with delight.
After this was reckoned and our debt paid, Lord Philippe confided that ten thousand livres had been withheld. I saw King Louis grow dark in the face. I now stepped on Philippe’s toe and said it must not be true, considering how Saracens are the shrewdest bargainers on earth and not readily deceived. Philippe wisely agreed, saying it was meant in jest. Nonetheless his majesty frowned. He remarked that he thought such a jest unwarranted. If by chance the full amount was not paid, he said, by the fealty you owe me as my vassal I command you to redress that error.
Now with all in place and his oath acquitted King Louis ordered the galley to leave Damietta and carry him to sea where a ship awaited us. I think we traveled a good league before anyone spoke, so concerned were we at leaving the Comte de Poitiers hostage. Indeed, while negotiations were under way certain counselors advised his majesty to refrain from paying the Egyptians until they let his brother go. Our saintly king would have none of this. He would honor his pledge, expecting enemies to do likewise.
Presently a galleon drew alongside and Lord Philippe de Montfort cried out for the king to greet his brother. Then the king crossed over to his brother’s ship, as did I, and they embraced. So the apprehension we felt was replaced by joy.
When at length we got to the ship that would take us to Acre we found those aboard unprepared for his majesty’s arrival. Neither bed nor clothing had been readied. Therefore he was obliged to sleep six nights on a wretched pallet and wear clothes the sultan had made for him, a black samite ensemble lined with miniver and gray squirrel pelt, all decorated with gold buttons. I spent those days seated beside him and not many days have I felt worse. He told me in detail about his capture and he seemed much interested to learn of my various misadventures. He said I should thank the Lord for deliverance. Also, he complained that his brother the Comte d’Anjou seldom bothered to visit but chose to spend the time amusing himself with friends.
One day while the Comte d’Anjou was at dice with Gautier de Nemours and others King Louis got unsteadily to his feet, tottered across to the gamblers, snatched up dice and boards and flung them into the sea. He then castigated his brother for unseemliness. I think Gautier fared well enough, tipping what was on the table into his lap.
Citizens and clergy welcomed us by the shore amid great rejoicing and there King Louis happily met his queen.
I was offered a palfrey to ride yet no sooner did I mount than I all but fell off. The man who brought the palfrey held me upright. Later he assisted me in climbing steps to the king’s hall where I rested by a window. Ami de Montbéliard’s young bastard, called Barthélemy, stood not far away. He was at that time perhaps ten years old. While I sat there very weak and faint I was approached by a lackey wearing a scarlet tunic with yellow stripes. He bowed and asked if I remembered him. I did not. He said he was Guillemin. He came from the castle of my uncle at Oiselay and being at the moment unattached he would serve me if I wished. I was pleased to engage him, so he combed my hair and found me a white cap.
Now his majesty sent word that I should dine with him. During my imprisonment the Saracens had given me an old coverlet and from this my people fashioned a short tunic. What remained of this cloth I bestowed upon young Barthélemy along with some ells of camlet. My new servant Guillemin accompanied me to carve the meat and he obtained a little food for the child. King Louis with unfailing grace did not comment on my appearance while we ate.
Guillemin quickly proved his worth, finding rooms for me near the baths. That night I went to wash away my prison filth, but while seated in the bath was again overcome by dizziness and do not know how I could have managed without his help. Some few days later, having clothed myself more suitably, I paid a visit to the king who reproached me for my absence, saying he had expected to see me sooner. He commanded me to eat with him morning and evening. He was then much in doubt whether he should stay oversea or go back to France.
Anon the bishop of Acre let me use a dwelling that belonged to a priest, yet I had no more settled myself than fever attacked. To make things worse, beside my bed was an entrance to the church and not a day passed without at least twenty corpses delivered. Thus, feeling sick beyond repair, I lay stretched out on my pallet hearing a constant refrain. Libera me, Domine. Each time I heard this I wept and praised God. I thanked Him for my suffering because I often had succumbed to pride when I lay down to sleep or when I awoke. And I prayed Him to cast off the bonds of my infirmity.
When it seemed I had got back my faculties I asked Guillemin to account for money spent and discovered he had nipped me of ten livres tournois, so I dismissed him. Afterward I was told by certain Burgundians who brought him oversea that he was the most courteous thief in the realm. If a thing
