RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1211
year: 1187
initiator: Girardus de Ridefort, master of the Templars
recipient: Pope Urban III
institution: Templars
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: *May 2-c. 31. [Girardus de Ridefort] magister domus militiae Templi writes to Pope Urban III, reporting that he and the magister Ierosolimitani Hospitalis were negotiating a peace between the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli when they heard that a force of 6000 Turci had entered Christian territory. They engaged them [in the battle of the Springs of Cresson, May 1] with only 110 milites. The magister Hospitalis, frater Robertus Frenellus marescallus Templi, frater Iaquelinus and 50 milites and 10 servientes Templi were killed. Others were take prisoner. On Sept. 3 the pope transmitted the news to the archbishop of Canterbury and the English church asking them to encourage princes, barons and the faithful, for the remission of their sins, to help the Knights Templar by providing horses and weapons.
*May 2-c. 31. [Girardus de Ridefort] magister domus militiae Templi writes to Pope Urban III, reporting that he and the magister Ierosolimitani Hospitalis were negotiating a peace between the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli when they heard that a force of 6000 Turci had entered Christian... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 322-4, no. 148
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1233
year: 1187
initiator: Frater Terricus pauperrimae domus templi preceptor, together with his convent
recipient: Pope Urban III
institution: Templars
text: Aug. 1-31. Terricus/Tyricus pauperrime milicie templi preceptor, together with his convent, writes to Pope Urban III. He reports the invasion of the Turci, their siege of the castle of Tiberias and the loss of the Christian army [at Hattin], the capture of the relic of the True Cross and of the king, the great number killed, the escape of the count of Tripoli, domnus Reinoldus Sydonius and domnus Balianus, and the fall of Acre. Only Jerusalem, Ascalon, Tyre and Beirut are still in Christian hands, but the defenders of these cities have nearly all been lost and they cannot be held without divine intervention. Tyre is being constantly attacked and the land between Tyre, Jerusalem and Gaza is overrun. Terricus appeals for help. [216]
Aug. 1-31. Terricus/Tyricus pauperrime milicie templi preceptor, together with his convent, writes to Pope Urban III. He reports the invasion of the Turci, their siege of the castle of Tiberias and the loss of the Christian army [at Hattin], the capture of the relic of the True Cross and of the... more
sources: ‘Annales Colonienses maximi’, p. 793; Chronica regia Coloniensis, p. 137-8 (RRH no. 660)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1240
year: 1187
initiator: Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem
recipient: Pope Urban III
text: Sept 5-20. Jerusalem. Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem sends Pope Urban III news [of the battle of Hattin]. The relic of the True Cross has been lost to the Traci. The bishops of Lydda and Acre, who were in charge of the Cross, have been killed. The king has been made captive and his army has been partly killed and partly imprisoned. The following cities and castles have been lost: Gybeletum, Beirut, Sydon, Acre, [Tiberias, Nazaret]h, Sebasten, [Nablus], Haifa, Caesarea, Assur, Jaffa, Ascalon, Lydda, lbelinen, Turon, Mirabel, Bethlehem and Hebron. Only Jerusalem, surrounded by the enemies of the cross and expecting to be besieged by Saladin, who has established himself nearby, and Tyre are still in Christian hands. All the provinces and dioceses of the patriarchate except those of Tyre and Petra are occupied by the pagani. An addendum lists the places occupied by the Thurci: Gybeletum, Beirut, Acre, Thuronum, Castellum Noveum,Tiberias with all its dependences, Haifa, Caesarea, Assur, Jaffa, Ascalon, Ybelinen, Ramatha, Lydda, Mirabel, Tharenta, Bethenopolis, Hebron, Fiyr, Bethlehem, Machumia, Castruim sancte Helie, Castrum Egidii, Nablus, Gerinen, Sebasten, Nazareth and Mons Thabor.
Sept 5-20. Jerusalem. Patriarch Eraclius of Jerusalem sends Pope Urban III news [of the battle of Hattin]. The relic of the True Cross has been lost to the Traci. The bishops of Lydda and Acre, who were in charge of the Cross, have been killed. The king has been made captive and his army has been... more
sources: Hiestand, PK, pp. 324-7, no. 149; Kedar, ‘Ein Hilferuf’, pp. 120-2
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1241
year: 1187
initiator: Consuls of Genoa
recipient: Pope Urban III
text: End of Sept. The consuls of Genoa write to Pope Urban III. They narrate how Saladin entered the kingdom of Jerusalem on 3 July with 70000 knights or more and laid siege to Tiberias. The lady of Tiberias appealed to the king. On the advice of the count of Tripoli, to whom he was reconciled, the king went to her assistance. In spite of the bravery of the Knights Templar, who were slaughtered, the Christian army was surrounded. Six of the king’s milites - Balduinus de Fotina, Radulfus Bructus and Laudoicus de Tabaria with three others, defected to Saladin and informed him of the state of the Christian army. Saladin’s nephew, Tochedinus, captured the king and seized the relic of the True Cross. Saladin had his Templar and Hospitaller captives beheaded and himself killed princeps Rainaldus de Castellione. After the battle Saladin took Acre and neighbouring places. The Sirii in Jerusalem offered to surrender the city. Many Christians from Acre and other places fled to Tyre. Ascalon is well provided with victuals and troops, as are Antioch, Margatus, and nearly all the principality. The county of Tripoli is safe. The consuls beg the pope to arouse the faithful to recover the Holy Land.
End of Sept. The consuls of Genoa write to Pope Urban III. They narrate how Saladin entered the kingdom of Jerusalem on 3 July with 70000 knights or more and laid siege to Tiberias. The lady of Tiberias appealed to the king. On the advice of the count of Tripoli, to whom he was reconciled, the king... more
sources: Hampe, ‘Reise’, pp. 278-80 (RRH no. 664a)