Some argue that Saladin was not at fault, considering that he needed more than three weeks to levy so much gold. As for the Holy Cross, they say it was carried to Damascus where furious pagans hacked it to splinters.
How many Christian soldiers ascended to Paradise during the siege of Acre? Those obtaining martyrdom included six archbishops, twelve bishops, forty counts, five hundred lesser nobles, innumerable priests, clerics, and humble palmers. Through combat or pestilence one hundred thousand gave up the ghost. Which is to say, not more than one of every two in the host survived. Acre basked in the hands of our loving and gracious Lord for eighty-three years. Then it suffered beneath the infidel yoke. But at last His will could not be denied.
At this siege my grandfather Geoffrey fell asleep in God. Neither day nor circumstance could I cite, yet I have honored him to the best of my authority with a tablet set in the church of Saint Laurent at Joinville castle. May he rest eternally in Your arms, Lord God.
Pilgrims now yielded to luxury and sloth because the cellars of Acre boasted choice wine and women stood at the corner. Men did not want to leave. They felt reluctant to forsake such delights and cross the river.
August had well advanced when the reluctant host moved south. Women were prohibited save good old dames such as toil and wash for armies, deft as apes at picking fleas. King Richard himself took the van, his standard borne on a wheeled cart decorated with rose-red spots. The post stood erect like the mast of a ship, solid timber-work neatly joined, sheathed in iron so it could not be splintered or burnt. About it like a wall rode Normans famous for courage since if the banner were seized, or the cart toppled, men might believe their lord overwhelmed. Few soldiers have strength to confront the enemy when they do not see who leads them, but even the timid feel empowered if his banner flies. Those who have been wounded are brought near it for comfort, making it a refuge, a beacon of certainty, a post of command. Hence the king’s emblem trundled down the road to Joppa, drawn by mules, able to pursue unbelievers or yield, according to necessity.
These pilgrims marching along the coast might look with enjoyment at the sea on their right, but on the left Saladin kept company. From mountainous heights the Turk watched over them. And at a narrow passage beneath a troubled sky here came Mahomet’s disciples scuttling down like vermin upon carts and sumpter beasts, attacking, plundering, quickly vanishing. Some Turk cut off the right hand of Everard who belonged to the bishop of Salisbury. Everard with his left hand snatched up the sword to defend himself. Now all was confusion. John Fitz-Luke galloped forward to notify King Richard. And the king returned full speed to help those under attack, slashing at Turks on either side, routing these infidels who fled as did the Philistines from Maccabeus, albeit quite a few remained since they were deprived of their heads. Yet here were many devout palmers sprouting twenty Turkish arrows.
Each night when they encamped it was the custom to depute some pilgrim who cried aloud in a strong voice. Help! Help! Help for the Holy Sepulcher! Everyone took up his cry, stretching their hands heavenward, weeping, calling for mercy. This lament they repeated a second time, a third time, after which all seemed much refreshed. Brown spiders that are called Tarantulas crept out of the ground at night, feeding on them. Pilgrims bloated like toads and complained until a rich man offered theriac to counter the venom. At length, seeing how these pests disliked loud noise, the army would make a discord at nightfall, clashing shields, helmets, buckets, beating on casques, basins, kettles, flagons, caldrons, or any implement to raise a tumult, and by the clamor sent these creatures hustling back into the earth.
By day they marched slowly. Numbers perished in the heat. King Richard caused those who were sick or disheartened to be transported on barges and smacks and galleys that accompanied the host. Flies no bigger than sparks would attack, fiercely biting hands, neck, cheek, or any part exposed, making the soldiers resemble lepers. They arranged veils for themselves, so it is said they looked comical while trudging across the sand. Very long ago the Romans brought stone from nearby hills to make a road between Acre and Joppa in order that chariots might roll easily up or down the coast but time had almost buried this antique road so it was no more than a trace through thorny brush.
When they got to Caesarea, halfway to Joppa, they expected to bivouac in comfort but found that Turks had destroyed whatever might be useful and had broken some of the towers and did not retreat until the army approached. Our
