There he learned to his dismay that the citizens were preparing to surrender. Already they had begun to negotiate with emissaries from Saladin. Indeed, from a watchtower floated the Muslim standard because they had lost heart and were terrified, but the arrival of Conrad hardened their spirit. When they saw how confidently he defied Saracen threats, when they saw him tear apart Muslim banners and fling them in a moat, the citizens of Tyre felt ashamed. They rebuked each other for cowardice and vowed to engage the Turks. Three and four times a day they would sally forth to attack those who were nearest, afterward retreating nimbly through the gates to avoid being chopped up.
No chronicle relates how Sancho Martín arrived at Tyre, nor from what Spanish city. Beyond doubt he felt moved to worship and serve our Lord. His weapons were enameled green and his helmet sprouted antlers like a stag. When he charged out the gate Saracens would dash up to marvel. They called him the Green Knight and his fine bearing gave them pause. It is said that the Muslim lord addressed this Green Knight, urging him to forsake Christianity and join the ranks of Islam. If he returned to Spain or perished in the Holy Land, God knows.
Marquis Conrad soon found out what little food remained in the city and no help imminent. He assembled the principal Franks, English, Pisans, and Genoese to consult. My lords, said he, we have not enough to keep our bodies alive. If any among you has an idea, by the love of God let him step forth.
A Genoese captain spoke up. We have with us many barges and galleys and other vessels, he said. I will take four galleys and embark just before dawn as though trying to escape. When the infidels catch sight of me they will not wait to arm themselves but will make haste to catch me. You and your men must be prepared to sail after them with great speed. When they are between us I will turn around and we will together fight them. If it please God to assist, He will send help.
This plan sounded good to the marquis and to others. Besides, if they did nothing they would starve.
The harbor by which vessels come and go lies within city walls, thus the Genoese and his crew were able to get under way before Saracens detected them. But at once the enemy ships, which numbered almost one hundred, gave chase. And when they had gotten out to sea the ships of Conrad followed, whereupon the Genoese turned about. So, caught between Christian forces, many unbelievers plunged shrieking into the bottomless pit. It is recorded that two Saracen galleys escaped. And Saladin who watched this battle from shore was lamenting, clawing his beard to see his people drowned or butchered. They say he cut off the tail of his favorite horse and rode around in view of his soldiers to disgrace himself.
Now he considered it best to let go of Tyre since his warships were taken or sunk, and when those inside the walls observed Saracen tents folded they stretched up their hands joyously to our compassionate Lord.
No sooner were the Turks out of sight than Archbishop Joscius boarded a galley whose sails had been painted black and sailed away to speak with His Holiness at Rome, pausing first at Sicily to plead with King William for help. King William grieved to learn the state of affairs. He put on sackcloth and hid himself for several days. Then he addressed letters to other monarchs beseeching them to call for a new expedition, a new pilgrimage.
Archbishop Joscius proceeded to Rome, escorted by Sicilian ambassadors. They found His Holiness Urban III old and sick. He could not endure the shock, expiring from grief on the twentieth day of October in that year of our Lord 1187. His successor Gregory, alarmed by such tidings from the Holy Land, despatched a circular letter recounting what had befallen Christ’s kingdom oversea, offering plenary indulgence to all who took the cross, reminding the faithful how Edessa was lost forty years ago. Let true Christians lay up treasure in heaven, he advised. Let them enjoy eternal life in the hereafter by gathering to smite and crush Islam, meanwhile their property on earth would be ensured by the Holy See.
Saladin marched from Tyre to Ascalon where he showed important captives beneath the walls. King Guy of Jerusalem. Gérard de Ridfort, Grand Master of the Temple. Both entreated the citizens of Ascalon to lower the flag, but they would not. They replied with insults. Saladin therefore erected machines for hurling stones and began to attack the city. The inhabitants resisted, during which time they killed two emirs, but after a while they decided to capitulate and ask for mercy. Saladin granted them leave to depart with their goods and had them escorted to Alexandria and lodged under his protection until ships would convey them to Europe. It is reported that on the day he rode triumphantly into Ascalon a shadow passed over the sun, proof of divine supervision.
That same day here came ambassadors from Jerusalem to negotiate terms of surrender. Saladin greeted them in strange darkness, before the light returned. He insisted they must open the gates. They would not agree to this and went back proudly to that city where Jesus Christ gave up His life. Saladin vowed he would take it by the sword. Arabs say an astrologer once
