I answered that it was not my fault since I had lost everything while I was held captive on the river. He asked how much I would need. I told him that two hundred thousand livres would keep me till Easter. Then he asked if I had bargained with any of my people. I said I had spoken with a knight-banneret, Pierre de Pontmolain, who demanded four hundred livres, as did two other knights-banneret.
Twelve hundred livres, said the king, reckoning on his fingers.
Do not forget, I said, that horse and armor for myself will cost at least eight hundred. Further, the expense of food must be counted since I doubt you would invite all of us to your table. His majesty after some reflection said he did not consider my demand excessive.
His brothers, the Comte d’Anjou and the Comte de Poitiers, were at that time preparing to depart. If he ordered them to France, mayhap to supervise the realm during his absence, or if he gave permission at their request, I do not know. However it was, both admonished me to watch over the king, saying he put much faith in my judgment. When they were ready to go aboard ship the Comte de Poitiers distributed a number of jewels to those of us who remained. As for the Comte d’Anjou, when it came time to embark he lamented and wept so passionately that all were amazed. Still, he did not change his mind.
Soon thereafter came envoys from the sultan of Damascus seeking his majesty’s help against those emirs who governed Egypt. Turanshah, who plunged into the Nile with a lance dangling from his ribs, was related to this sultan. Now, said the envoys, provided King Louis would help crush these loathsome emirs, the sultan would hand over Jerusalem. His majesty at length decided to respond through envoys of his own. And with them to interpret went Yves le Breton, a predicant friar who spoke Saracenic. And the message to the sultan of Damascus was this. King Louis would by no means ally himself with the sultan until he knew if the emirs would make amends for the outrages they committed.
So off to Egypt went Lord Jean de Valenciennes, charged by his majesty to find out how matters stood. Quicker than expected he came back with two hundred Frankish knights released from captivity as well as lesser folk. Among these knights were a good forty attached to the court of Champagne. I paid to have them fitted with tunics and green surcoats, thinking his majesty would offer them generous terms to serve under his banner. He listened to what they asked, but made no reply. A knight of his council rebuked me, pointing out that King Louis was thick enough in debt. The king, said I, had best not listen to you, considering how knights are in short supply. Having said as much, I burst into tears. His majesty ordered me to keep quiet and said he would give them what they asked. So he engaged them, posting them to my battalion.
Lord Jean also brought back from Egypt the bones of Comte Gautier de Brienne who was cousin to Madame de Saida. She buried them in the church of the Hospital in Acre, causing each knight to offer a wax candle and a silver denier while the king himself offered a candle and a gold bezant, all to the expense of Madame de Saida, which was a very fine thing to do.
However, the message Lord Jean brought from Egypt was not favorable. The emirs would accede to his majesty’s demand for reparation only if he allied himself with them against the sultan of Damascus. His majesty responded that he would not consider an alliance until they sent him the heads of Christians they had suspended from the walls of Cairo. Further, they must give up all the Christian children they seized. And because he yet owed part of his ransom they should dispense with that. So the matter stood unresolved.
Friar Yves le Breton when he got back from Damascus told of a most remarkable sight. While he and the envoys were en route from their lodging to the palace here came an old woman crossing the street with a phial of water in one hand, a chafing dish of coals in the other. Friar Yves asked what she intended to do. With these coals I will burn up Paradise, said she. Next I will quench the fires of Hell, so neither will exist. Why do such a thing? asked Friar Yves. Because, said she, for love of God one ought to live honorably, not in hope of entering Paradise or from dread of Hell.
John the Armenian who had charge of the king’s artillery also went to Damascus, I think to purchase horn and glue for crossbows. While bargaining in the marketplace he was hailed by some very ancient man who inquired if he might be Christian. John agreed he was. A long time past, said this ancient man, I saw King Baudouin of Jerusalem, by which he meant Baldwin the leper. With only three hundred knights, said this
