Some assert that Richard sought out the Muslim host, galloping along its ranks with his lance at rest but no infidel would measure his strength. Perhaps.
When I was a child very ancient men would speak of Richard Lionheart as if they had known him. On one occasion, they said, he went disguised as a Muslim beggar into the Holy City where Saladin gave him food. All such gaudy tales from the past I think resonant and strange.
However it was, Richard wearied of slaughter. He felt illness creep through his body. He asked Saladin’s brother to seek a truce. Therefore, after speaking with the sultan, Malik returned. Ascalon should be razed to the ground and not rebuilt for three years, after which it might be occupied by Muslim or Christian, whichever gained hegemony. Joppa, together with the seacoast and mountains adjacent, should belong to Christians who might pursue their lives without molestation. Captives would be exchanged. Templars and Hospitalers would regain their franchise. Nor would tribute be exacted nor passage withheld from Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher.
This seemed good to Richard and he offered his youngest sister Joanna in marriage to the heathen Malik, if Malik would become Christian. Jointly they should rule as king and queen of Jerusalem. She would bring as her dowry those coastal lands. He would bring to this union the Holy City and such territories as Muslim armies had captured. Malik, when it was proposed that he renounce his fealty to Islam, asked for time to meditate, answering finally that he could not. Joanna, on her part, objected bitterly to such a marriage.
As for the rest, when all was put in writing and confirmed by oath King Richard betook himself to Cayphas by the edge of the sea to take medicine and improve his health.
Many pilgrims wished to complete the pilgrimage under Saladin’s warrant. Hence they were organized in three companies. The first, led by Andrew de Chavegui, proceeded into Saracen land with letters from the king. When they got to Ramlah they despatched envoys to notify Saladin. But these men halted at the Tower of Soldiers, thinking it best to obtain safe conduct from Malik before going on. And while they loitered, wondering about their heads, they fell asleep until sunset, and waking up saw the pilgrims already had passed by and marched across the plain and were near the hills. Andrew de Chavegui and others now looked back to see their ambassadors hurrying forward and felt much alarmed because of Turks all around. So when these tardy couriers arrived they were showered with insults and told to make haste and do as they were instructed. Off they went to Jerusalem where two thousand Turks or more encamped around the city. They inquired for Malik and having found him explained the situation. He rebuked them smartly. Soon enough here came the pilgrims, ill at ease what with armed Turks everywhere grinning or frowning, by such looks indicating what enmity they nourished. That night it is said the pilgrims wished themselves anywhere else. Next day certain Turks gained audience with the sultan, asking leave to avenge the death of brothers, fathers, sons, and other relatives slain at Joppa, Acre, and elsewhere. Saladin took counsel with emirs such as Mestoc, Bedriden, and Doredin, together with Malik. They agreed the Latins should not be molested. For, said they, you would be disgraced if that treaty made with the king of England should be infringed. Ever afterward the good faith of Turks would be doubted. Saladin therefore directed that the pilgrims should not be harmed. Malik, at his own request, was deputed to escort them to the Sepulcher, after which they left Jerusalem and returned joyously to Acre.
These travelers may well have come upon enslaved Christians shackled in mournful groups, backs scourged, shoulders flayed, buttocks goaded, feet ulcerated, hopelessly bringing rock to masons fortifying the ramparts of Jerusalem. So much was reported by later pilgrims.
Geoffrey de Vinsauf marched to the Holy City with Ralph Teissun. He declares that when they got near enough to see Mount Olivet they knelt, giving humble thanks to God. Those with horses rode on ahead, says he, to gratify their desire as soon as possible, while we ourselves proceeded to Mount Calvary. We saw the stone in which the cross of our Lord was fixed and reverently kissed it. We proceeded to the church built on Mount Sion, from the left side of which Blessed Mary passed out of this world. We hastened to see the table at which Jesus condescended to eat bread and we fervently kissed the table. After this we left because Turks had strangled three pilgrims who wandered into the crypts. Uneasily we entered the vaulted room in which our Lord was held during the night preceding crucifixion. Our cheeks grew wet with tears. We departed on account of the Turks, grieving at how they used holy places for stables, and made our way to Acre.
Hubert Walter, bishop of Salisbury, led those other pilgrims who would complete the splendid journey. Saladin met him with honor and invited him to lodge at the palace but he refused, saying he was but one of many. Saladin gave him presents, after which they sat and talked a long while. Saladin inquired about Richard, what sort of man he was. Concerning my lord, said Bishop Hubert, he has no equal. In all things he
