RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1439
year: 1199
initiator: Aimery of Cyprus
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: *Summer. King Aimery of Jerusalem appeals for assistance to Pope Innocent III, who refers to his emissaries in letters to the kings of France and England [c. Dec. 15-20 1199]. Perhaps in response to the pope’s request for information, Aimery has reported the lack of manpower in the Latin East, but has added that quarrels amongst the Sarraceni could lead to a Christian recovery.
*Summer. King Aimery of Jerusalem appeals for assistance to Pope Innocent III, who refers to his emissaries in letters to the kings of France and England [c. Dec. 15-20 1199]. Perhaps in response to the pope’s request for information, Aimery has reported the lack of manpower in the Latin East, but... more
sources: Innocent III, Die Register 2:460, no. 241; Schabel, Bullarium 1:120, no. b-7
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1441
year: 1199
initiator: King Leon I of Cilician Armenia
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: May 23. Tarsus. Leon, per dei et Romani imperii gratiam rex omnium Armeniorum, writes to Pope Innocent III. He reports how, under instruction from the archbishop of Mainz he desires to bring all Armenians into unity with the Roman Church. The archbishop will relay to the pope all the troubles facing the Latin East and Cilician Armenia. Leon appeals for assistance.
May 23. Tarsus. Leon, per dei et Romani imperii gratiam rex omnium Armeniorum, writes to Pope Innocent III. He reports how, under instruction from the archbishop of Mainz he desires to bring all Armenians into unity with the Roman Church. The archbishop will relay to the pope all the troubles... more
sources: Innocent III, Die Register 2:408-9, no. 210 (RRH no. 755)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1443
year: 1199
initiator: King Leon I of Cilician Armenia
recipient: Pope Innocent III
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
additional institution: Templars
text: c. May 1-31. Leon, per Dei et Romani imperii rex Armeniorum, writes to Pope Innocent III. After expatiating on the threat posed to Cilician Armenia, he describes the death of Raymundus, the elder son of Prince Bohemond [III] of Antioch. Raymundus had married Leon’s niece Aaliza/Aelide and had had a son, called Rupinus, who had been baptized by the archbishop of Mainz. Before his death Raymundus had asked his father to assure the inheritance of Rupinus to Antioch. Bohemond had confirmed Rupinus as his heir in the presence of all his barones and had made all his liege men [homines ligii] swear liege homage [ligium hominium] to Rupinus. Leon sends the sealed record to the pope. But Count [Bohemond IV] of Tripoli, together with the magister et conventus Templi and the magister et conventus Hospitalis came to Antioch to drive Leon from his land and stayed for 3 months. Prince Bohemond [III] was expelled from Antioch by an alliance with the commune [communia], which declared that Count Bohemond was the legitimate heir. Leon appealed to the pope, after which the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers of St John began peace discussions. Leon sends his miles R[obertus] de Margat to the pope asking for his intervention.
c. May 1-31. Leon, per Dei et Romani imperii rex Armeniorum, writes to Pope Innocent III. After expatiating on the threat posed to Cilician Armenia, he describes the death of Raymundus, the elder son of Prince Bohemond [III] of Antioch. Raymundus had married Leon’s niece Aaliza/Aelide and had had a... more
sources: Innocent III, Die Register 2:462-5, no. 242 (RRH no. 756)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1448
year: 1199
initiator: Patriarch Aymar Monachus of Jerusalem
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: Jan. 1 - Sept. 1. [263] In reply to an order for a report from Pope Innocent III, Patriarch Aymar of Jerusalem describes the lineage of and the relations between the various Ayyubid princes, expressing the view that they are ready to surrender Palestine and Jerusalem to the Christians and even to convert. He refers briefly to the Assassins. He provides a geographical description of Palestine and Syria, in which he includes, besides references to the chief towns, the image and shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary outside Christian territory at Sardinia, which is served by 12 nuns and 8 monks, the image of Christ in Beirut and the castellum filii Dei, now called districtum. He then turns to the geography of Egypt, noting those places identified with the exile of the Holy Family there, and to the country’s religion, harvests, the flooding of the Nile, and to Alexandria, which he reports has no natural spring water, being dependent on its cisterns. He believes that the key to Egypt is Damietta, which is more strongly fortified.
Jan. 1 - Sept. 1. [263] In reply to an order for a report from Pope Innocent III, Patriarch Aymar of Jerusalem describes the lineage of and the relations between the various Ayyubid princes, expressing the view that they are ready to surrender Palestine and Jerusalem to the Christians and even to... more
sources: [James of Vitry], Historia Orientalis, pp. 1125-9 [264] (RRH no. 762)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1481
year: 1201
initiator: Gregorius catholicus Armeniorum
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: Early in year. Gregorius episcopus Catholicus omnium Armeniorum writes to Pope Innocent III on the teaching of the Armenian Church, its acceptance of papal primacy, his authority and its sufferings.
Early in year. Gregorius episcopus Catholicus omnium Armeniorum writes to Pope Innocent III on the teaching of the Armenian Church, its acceptance of papal primacy, his authority and its sufferings.
sources: Innocent III, ‘Register’, 214:1007-10, no. 45
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1492
year: 1201
initiator: King Leon I of Cilician Armenia
recipient: Pope Innocent III
institution: Templars
text: Oct. 1. Sis. King Leon I of Cilician Armenia assures Pope Innocent III of his devotion. He reports that the vexillum sancti Petri sent by the pope has arrived and will always be carried in his armies against enemies of the Cross. He is maintaining peace with the citizens of Antioch and the count of Tripoli, but he informs the pope that the count of Tripoli and the citizens of Antioch have sent messengers to Roconidinus [Rukn ad-Din Sulaiman of Konya] entering into an alliance against him. He has stationed himself on the borders of Antioch. He has committed the case of his nephew Rupinus to the papal legates, but asks for the archbishop of Mainz to be made judge in his cause. He is grateful to the pope for writing to the count of Tripoli. In July he led his army on campaign against the Muslims, who are divided among themselves, and asked the Knights Templar, whose possessions in his country are worth 20000 besants, to come to his aid. The Templars came to Antioch and Leon asked the magister to join with him and the patriarch of Antioch in sending messengers to the Holy See over the issue of Gaston, which the pope wanted him to surrender to the Knights Templar. Leon offered to hand over Gaston provided the Templars gave support to his nephew Rupinus and lodged him in that castle. He and Rupinus sought to become confratres and assist the Templars in recovering another of their castles called Trapesach, but the Templars refused. Leon assures the pope of his attachment to the Latin faith. He is sending to the pope as a representative his miles called Garnerius Teuton.
Oct. 1. Sis. King Leon I of Cilician Armenia assures Pope Innocent III of his devotion. He reports that the vexillum sancti Petri sent by the pope has arrived and will always be carried in his armies against enemies of the Cross. He is maintaining peace with the citizens of Antioch and the count of... more
sources: Innocent III, ‘Register’ 214:1003-6, no. 43 (RRH no. 785)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1493
year: 1201
initiator: Archiepiscopus Sisensis regis Armeniae cancellarius
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: Oct. 1. Archiepiscopus Sisensis regis Armeniae cancellarius asks Pope Innocent III to grant him the ring, mitre and pallium, so that he can issue indulgences to those fighting in defence of Christianity.
Oct. 1. Archiepiscopus Sisensis regis Armeniae cancellarius asks Pope Innocent III to grant him the ring, mitre and pallium, so that he can issue indulgences to those fighting in defence of Christianity.
sources: Innocent III, ‘Register’ 214:1012-13, no. 47
RRR: Chronicle entry/narrative sources
1537
year: 1204
initiator: Cardinals Soffred of St Praxedis and Peter of St Marcellus, papal legates
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: Late Autumn. [279] The papal legates, Cardinal Soffredus of St Praxedis and Cardinal Peter of St Marcellus, report on their mission to Pope Innocent III. (1) Soffred begins the account. When he reached Acre there was a truce with the Sarraceni, but there was warfare between the king of Armenia and the count of Tripoli and the citizens of Antioch, because, it was said, the count had unjustly occupied Antioch and expelled the nobles, who refused fealty on the grounds of their support of the other heir by primogeniture [Raymond Rupin]. Soffred took counsel often with the magistri of the Knights Templar and the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and made for Antioch, warning the count of Tripoli and the citizens of Antioch that he was on his way and asking them to send representatives to meet him. He reached Tripoli on Martinmas, but no one responded to his summons or replied to his letters. Remaining in Tripoli, because sailing was hard in winter, he sent to each side the bishops of Tortosa [Anteradensis] and Bethlehem. On the Feast of the Purification the prince of Tripoli [Bohemond] arrived, but only to settle his own affairs and not in response to the summons, because he objected to having been excommunicated by the patriarchs of Jerusalem and Antioch, and other bishops. By Passion Sunday negotiations between him and the Hospitallers of St John, on whose behalf he had been excommunicated, had broken down. Exhausted, Soffred returned to Acre, which was expecting a fleet [of crusaders] from the West. The French nobles, the king of Jerusalem, the magister of the Temple and others persuaded Soffred to sail to the port of Antioch. With him went the magister of the Temple, the generalis praeceptor of the Hospital, Stephanus de Pertico, comes Moncia de Hungaria and an emissary of the marquess of Montferrat. Soffred met the king of Armenia and waited with him for 9 days for the arrival of the king of Jerusalem. Leon denied the right of the legates and papal authority in this matter. Meanwhile the prince had not responded to the appeals. The king of Armenia promised to raise 20000 armed men in the service of Christianity if his nephew’s rights were recognized. Frustrated, Soffred went to Margatum. While he was there Cardinal Peter reached Cyprus and then Acre, before travelling to Antioch and Cilician Armenia. (2) Cardinal Peter continues the account. He called many times for the parties - the king of Armenia, the count or prince of Tripoli, and the citizens of Antioch - to resolve their differences according to the terms already laid down by Soffred. Leon refused to negotiate before [Bohemond] had been expelled from Antioch. He wanted the legates to have custody of his nephew. Peter was unable in law to agree and, on the advice of the patriarch of Antioch, the archiepiscopus Borsensis/Tharsensis, the bishops, chapters and abbots of the province of Antioch, dominus [episcopus] Cremonensis and others who were with him, forbade the waging of war and repeated that he was ready to give justice to both sides. Soffred, who had returned to Acre, urged Peter to collaborate with the countess of Flanders and other crusaders [peregrini] to negotiate peace. After a discussion with the king of Jerusalem, the Knights Templar, the Hospitallers of St John and the noble crusaders [peregrini], Peter summoned all sides to submit to his judgement. His letters were carried by the king of Jerusalem, the barones peregrini [leading crusaders] and the episcopus Cremonensis, threatening the parties with excommunication. The king of Armenia offered a truce of 40 days, but the other side would not accept this. The king also agreed to submit to the legates’ judgement on the dispute he had with the Templars, on account of which his land had been placed under an interdict, but he did not send a satisfactory answer. The count of Tripoli did not come or send anyone because of his objection to excommunication. The bishop of Tripoli, most of his canons and a notary of the count came but gave no reasonable excuse. Peter had to leave for Constantinople. Soffred appointed as judge delegates in Peter’s place, Caesariensis archiepiscopus, episcopus Cremonensis and the Acconensis electus, while at the same time recognizing, along with the king of Jerusalem, the Knights Templar, the Hospitallers of St John, the barones, the crusaders [peregrini] who had come to Acre, that his mission had failed.
Late Autumn. [279] The papal legates, Cardinal Soffredus of St Praxedis and Cardinal Peter of St Marcellus, report on their mission to Pope Innocent III. (1) Soffred begins the account. When he reached Acre there was a truce with the Sarraceni, but there was warfare between the king of Armenia and... more
sources: ‘Gesta Inocentii’, cols. cli-clix (RRH no. 794)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1536
year: 1204
initiator: King Leon I of Cilician Armenia
recipient: Pope Innocent III
text: Oct.- Nov. Leon, per Dei et Romani imperii gratiam rex Armeniorum, complains to Pope Innocent III about Cardinal Peter of St Marcellus the papal legate and his treatment of his dispute with the count of Tripoli. He has already described Peter as being openly his adversary. Peter has forbidden him to fight, in spite of the fact that the citizens of Antioch and the Templars are in alliance with the pagani to burn his tuguria of Gastum, and the count has seized Antioch against the orders of Cardinal Soffred. A meeting between King Aimery of Jerusalem, the comitissa Flandriae, the magistri of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers of St John and the noble peregrini decided to proceed against any party that refused to be subject to the judgement of the cardinals. The dominus Cremonen. was sent to transmit this decision to the parties. Leon had delegated C. de Camardesio, his relative, to convey Leon’s agreement. The count of Tripoli did not arrive on the appointed day, did not excuse himself and refused to abide by the judgement, but Cardinal Peter, refusing to listen to Cardianal Soffred’s advice, did not give Leon justice. Leon, therefore, asks for new judge delegates, referring to the patriarch of Antioch, Cardinal Soffred, King Aimery of Jerusalem and the magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
Oct.- Nov. Leon, per Dei et Romani imperii gratiam rex Armeniorum, complains to Pope Innocent III about Cardinal Peter of St Marcellus the papal legate and his treatment of his dispute with the count of Tripoli. He has already described Peter as being openly his adversary. Peter has forbidden him... more
sources: Maleczek, Petrus, pp. 302-5 (RRH no. 798)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1535
year: 1204
initiator: Johannes, the catholicos of the Armenians
recipient: Pope Innocent III
institution: Templars
text: Sept. - Oct. Joh[ann]es, the catholicos of the Armenians, writes to Pope Innocent III. After professing his readiness to abide by all his obligations as primate, Joannes complains about Cardinal Peter, who is allied to the Knights Templar in the dispute over the succession to Antioch and at a council he held in Antioch imposed an interdict on Cilician Armenia, without the agreement of the catholicos. Joannes reports that at the intervention of Cardinal Soffred a meeting was arranged in Acre in September to settle the dispute between King Leon and the Templars, whose behaviour has been pernicious.
Sept. - Oct. Joh[ann]es, the catholicos of the Armenians, writes to Pope Innocent III. After professing his readiness to abide by all his obligations as primate, Joannes complains about Cardinal Peter, who is allied to the Knights Templar in the dispute over the succession to Antioch and at a... more
sources: Innocent III, Die Register 8:217-20, no. 121 (RRH no. 795)