As for those that went to Egypt, they traveled under Saladin’s warrant. And when vessels from Italy put in at Alexandria the masters were compelled to take these refugees aboard. Still, not many got back to Europe, most being thrust ashore on some desolate coast by merchants from Pisa and Genoa who did not like the burden. How bleak the day when these exiles left Jerusalem for uncertain destiny, leaving the city reduced to servitude. Once the inheritance of our Redeemer, defiled now by the ministration of God’s enemies, Jerusalem was brought to low estate through the iniquitous behavior of her people.
What of Heraclius the patriarch? Saladin allowed him to sail for Europe taking as much as he liked, including gold plate from the Holy Sepulcher. In this way Saladin expected to earn the gratitude of Christians, undeniable proof that he misapprehended the western world. Many Turks were angered and shocked to learn how the patriarch ransomed himself for ten bezants like a common soldier and watched him leave Jerusalem all but staggering under his treasure, followed by carts heaped up with plate and jeweled icons.
He traveled first to Rome, thence to numerous capitals, dressing himself in black while he preached a new crusade. He described how Jerusalem suffered, displayed a painting of Jesus Christ bloodied by Mahomet striking Him. Look you! cried Heraclius. Behold how the Lord is beaten! Many who contemplated this fearful picture sobbed and wept, others swore vengeance. How should the calamity of so small a kingdom oversea afflict the people of rich and powerful countries? How could it not?
Anon came Saladin’s brother, Malik al-Adil, and laid siege to Kerak. Those who defended the castle found themselves with less and less to eat. At length they turned out the women and children, thinking Saracens might feed their hapless families. Some were sold to the Bedouin. What became of the rest is not related. When the last horse was butchered and cooked and no help from any source, Kerak surrendered. Montréal held out longer, if not much.
Saladin himself, turgid with hate, wallowing in pride, stuffed with confidence, led his pagan horde against the city that previously defied him. Tyre. He fetched from Damascus the aged Marquis William de Montferrat, father of Conrad, who was captured during the battle on Mount Hattin. He exhibited this old marquis beneath the walls, telling Conrad that in exchange for the city his father would be released. Conrad answered that he would not give a stone in exchange for his father’s life, declaring that his father was a wicked old man who had committed terrible crimes, whose hour was finished. Bind him to a stake, Conrad ordered, that I may shoot him. And with the aged marquis ushered close enough, guarded, shackled, Conrad let fly a shaft, obliquely, pretending careful aim.
When the unbeliever failed at his expectation of gaining the city by these means, cajoling and threatening, he tried his fortune another way, setting up engines to bombard the walls, attacking also by sea. But on the morning after Innocent’s Day, which is the feast of blessed Thomas Becket, Christian vessels sailed forth to attack the Saracen galleys and scattered them, caused many to run aground. Then out the gate charged Lord Conrad and Hugh of Tiberias with a noble company and struck down many infidels. So it appeared to Saladin that he was opposed by fortune. He burnt the engines he had set up for casting missiles, burnt his few galleys, and ingloriously retreated.
Later, to show contempt for such a feckless monarch, he released King Guy without demanding a single écu, stipulating only that the king never again take up arms against Islam. Not many in the Holy Land cared, perhaps only Queen Sibylla who had prayed and beseeched Saladin to grant this favor. The Norman jongleur who recounted these affairs in verse sang of how King Guy was not a lucky man, in war neither terrible nor fierce, nor menacing to the sultan.
No more was Guy released than he found a cleric willing to invalidate his oath to Saladin. After all, had not the king been under duress? Besides, the promise was made to an infidel. Thus absolved, King Guy lusted to settle accounts. Fifty-two ships under command of Archbishop Ubaldo arrived during the month of April, so the king employed them. Now, his faint spirit replenished, he marched along the coast thinking he might storm the walls of Acre. Beside his feeble army sailed these Italians.
The news failed to alarm Saladin who was attacking the castle of Beaufort twenty leagues north. This castle stood on a cliff overlooking the river Litani and belonged to Reynald of Sidon, by repute a clever, charming lord fluent in Arabic. They say he more than once visited Saladin’s court where he displayed knowledge of Islamic literature. And he seemed to indicate that he might one day forsake Christianity, embrace Islam, and move to Damascus. However, months went by as Lord Reynald did nothing but reinforce his castle walls and Saladin lost patience. After one visit he escorted Reynald under heavy guard to Beaufort and directed him to speak with the garrison commander. The gate must be opened. Reynald obeyed, telling the commander in Arabic to open the gate, but adding in French that he should not. Saladin or one of his counselors understood French well enough. Off went Lord Reynald to Damascus where he lodged in prison.
Saladin now considered the Franks under King Guy who had laid siege to Acre. They were camped east of the city along the little river Belus which provided fresh water. Also, they had access to the sea, which meant that vessels could unload troops and supplies. Indeed, more soldiers and militant pilgrims were arriving, by chance or through the exhortation of
