RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1016
year: 1178
initiator: Roger de Moulins, master of the Hospital
recipient: Christian faithful
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Jan 1 - Dec. 24. [152] Rogerius [in ms. Raimundus] in hospitio sancti Johannis dictus magister imo humilis minister writes a general letter to the Christian faithful, commending its bearer, who has been gravely wounded in the fighting that surrounded the Battle of Mont Gisard. Rogerius describes the participation of Flandrie comes Philippus in the siege of the castle called Hermgen, Saladin’s investment of castrum beati Georgii with an army of 75000 and the resulting victory [at Mont Gisard] by a Christian army of 3000, who were aided by the presence of the relic of the True Cross, carried by the bishop of Bethlehem. Rogerius puts the Christian dead at 1100 men and the wounded at 750. The injured were admitted to the Hospital of St John in Jerusalem, which already contained 900 patients. The Sarraceni lost 30000 killed and 15000 made captive. He begs assistance for the bearer, who was so badly wounded that he can no longer bear arms.
Jan 1 - Dec. 24. [152] Rogerius [in ms. Raimundus] in hospitio sancti Johannis dictus magister imo humilis minister writes a general letter to the Christian faithful, commending its bearer, who has been gravely wounded in the fighting that surrounded the Battle of Mont Gisard. Rogerius describes... more
sources: Röhricht, Beiträge 2:127- 128, not. 45 (RRH no. 564)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1068
year: 1180
initiator: Pope Alexander III
recipient: Roger de Moulins, master of the Hospital
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: 1178 - 1180. [169] Pope Alexander III writes to Rogerius magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Reiterating a papal warning to observe the traditions and customs of Raimundus [Raymond of Puy], he reminds the master that the Hospitallers should abstain from bearing arms, according to the custom established by Raymond, except when the Relic of the True Cross is brought on campaign for the defence of the kingdom or for the siege of some pagan city, and then only if it is clear that armed assistance is necessary. The Hospital of St John of Jerusalem was instituted for the reception and refection of the poor, who are better defended by love and mercy than by force of arms. The pope is concerned lest the care of the poor be diminished, because of the expense of obtaining arms.
1178 - 1180. [169] Pope Alexander III writes to Rogerius magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Reiterating a papal warning to observe the traditions and customs of Raimundus [Raymond of Puy], he reminds the master that the Hospitallers should abstain from bearing arms, according to the... more
sources: Delaville le Roulx, Cart Hosp 1:360-1
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1237
year: 1187
initiator: Brothers of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
recipient: Dominus Archumbaldus magister Hospitalarium Italię and their brothers overseas
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Aug. 1-31. [Brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem] write to dominus Archumbaldus magister Hospitalarium Italię and their brothers overseas. They narrate how the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli, with whom he had made peace, were at Saphora with 30000 men around 29 June, when Saladin reached and took Tiberias with 80000. The king advanced and fought all day on 3 July at Marestutia. He pitched his tent that night at Saluubia and the next day the master of the Knights Templars lost most of his brothers, after which the king moved to Naim and was helped by the count of Tripoli to reach a hill which was a natural fortress. The Turci lit fires around the hill and the Christian force, faced with great heat, was deprived of food and drink. Then Baldoinus de Fatinor, Bachaberbocus de Tabaria and Leisius with 3 companions deserted and revealed to Saladin the state of the Christian army. Saladin sent Techedinus with 20000 picked knights to overcome the Christians. The king and the relic of the True Cross were taken, as were comes Gabula, Milo de Calauerdo, Onfredus iuvenis, princeps Renaldus, who was killed, Galterius de Arsun, Hugo de Gibelen, domnus de Botrono and domnus de Marachele, and 1000 others of the better men. No more than 200 escaped, including the count of Tripoli, domnus Basianus and Reinardus domnus Sidonis. Saladin then took Saphora, Nazareth, Mt Tabor, Acre, Haifa, Caesarea, Jaffa, Nablus, Ram [Ramla], Sanctus Georgius [Lydda], Ybellinon, Bellefort, Mirabel, Tyronus, Gwaler, Gazer and Audurum. When the Hospitaller galley left Tyre, [some of those who had surrendered] sent Sabani to Saladin to advise him to move on Jerusalem which would surrender. [219] The Hospitallers fled in their galley to Lechia [Latakia], where they heard that Tyre had fallen. They hope that the following cities can be saved if help comes from the West: Jerusalem, Tyre, Ascalon, Marchart, Antioch, Lassar, Saona and Tripoli. Like ants, large numbers of Sarraceni and Turci have overrun the country from Tyre, which they are besieging, to Jerusalem.
Aug. 1-31. [Brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem] write to dominus Archumbaldus magister Hospitalarium Italię and their brothers overseas. They narrate how the king of Jerusalem and the count of Tripoli, with whom he had made peace, were at Saphora with 30000 men around 29 June, when... more
sources: ‘Historia de expeditione Friderici imperatoris’, pp. 2-4 (RRH no. 661)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1348
year: 1193
initiator: Gaufridus de Donjon, master of the Hospital
recipient: Frater W. de Vileruns prepositus ultramarinus
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Apr. 30. Frater Gaufridus sancta domus Hospitalis Hierusalem humilis magister and his chapter send frater W. de Vileruns prepositus ultramarinus news of the deaths of Mestoc [on 1 October], the vetus dominus Assyriorum, the sultan of Konya, and Saladin [on the Wednesday of the first week of March], among whose sons in Aleppo, Damascus and Cairo [Babylonia] there is discord. Now may be the time to recover the Holy Land.Truces still prevail, but the Latin East is short of inhabitants.
Apr. 30. Frater Gaufridus sancta domus Hospitalis Hierusalem humilis magister and his chapter send frater W. de Vileruns prepositus ultramarinus news of the deaths of Mestoc [on 1 October], the vetus dominus Assyriorum, the sultan of Konya, and Saladin [on the Wednesday of the first week of March... more
sources: Delaville Le Roulx, Cart Hosp 1:597-8, no. 945 (RRH no. 712)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1372
year: 1196
initiator: Gaufridus de Donjon, master of the Hospital
recipient: King Sancho VII of Navarre
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Apr. 1-30. Frater Gaufridus domus Hospitalis [Iherusalem] humilis magister et Christi pauperum servus writes to King Sancho VII of Navarre. He calls for assistance, dwelling on the danger facing the Latin East, the appeals from his brothers in captivity and the absence of enough defenders. He reports that Sefedinus [al-‘Adil], ruler of Old Cairo [Babilon] and Damascus, has raided the county of Tripoli and is expected in Palestine any day. He has made his son [al-Muazzam ‘Isa], lord of Jerusalem. He adds that the Nile has flooded disastrously and that Egypt is suffering extreme famine.
Apr. 1-30. Frater Gaufridus domus Hospitalis [Iherusalem] humilis magister et Christi pauperum servus writes to King Sancho VII of Navarre. He calls for assistance, dwelling on the danger facing the Latin East, the appeals from his brothers in captivity and the absence of enough defenders. He... more
sources: Garcia Larragueta, El Gran Priorado 2:89-90, no. 87 (RRH no. 728)
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
1450
year: 1199
initiator: Pope Innocent III
recipient: Patriarch of Jerusalem, the bishop of Lydda and the masters of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
additional institution: Templars
text: End Sept. - Early Oct. Lateran. Having heard from the patriarch of Jerusalem, the bishop of Lydda and the masters of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar that truces have been arranged with the Saraceni, Pope Innocent III informs them that he is sending out funds and wheat collected from the faithful and transported in a ship [navis] that he has equipped at his own expense under the charge of Raim[undus] Jer[oso]lymitani Hospitalis, M. militie Templi frater and I. monachus. The patriarch, bishop and masters are to decide on free distribution to the poor.
End Sept. - Early Oct. Lateran. Having heard from the patriarch of Jerusalem, the bishop of Lydda and the masters of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar that truces have been arranged with the Saraceni, Pope Innocent III informs them that he is sending out funds and wheat... more
sources: Innocent III, Die Register 2:345-6, no. 180 (RRH no. 760)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1489
year: 1201
initiator: Gaufridus de Donjon, master of the Hospital
recipient: Prior Anglie of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Dec. 24 1200 - early summer 1201. [270] The magister Hospitalis Jerusalem informs the prior Anglie of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem that the bishop of Acre, many pilgrims and many Hospitallers on their way to the West on the business of the Holy Land perished in a shipwreck off Biblium on the coast of Tripoli during the last passagium. Other ships carrying Hospitaller messengers from Acre were forced by storm damage to seek refuge in Tripoli. He reports that in the Muslim world the lord of Damascus, Sephadinus [al-‘Adil], has become master of Cairo [Babilon], expelling his nephew and others and is in a tense relationship with the sultan of Aleppo and many others. The Nile has failed to flood, leading to famine and the loss of livestock in Egypt, and a host of Egyptians have descended, like locusts, on the Holy Land. A young low-born Saracenus has been preaching an evangelical Christian campaign and has converted and baptized 2000. With the threat posed to the Latin East by the union of Damascus and Cairo, he appeals for help to the prior and to the king of England. He adds that in the invasion of Sicily by the Germans and Lombards the Hospitaller commandery [domus] of Barletta has been abandoned and that since the prior Anglie himself left the East no provisions have been received from the kingdom of Sicily, leading the Order to great expense in supplying its commanderies [domus] and castles. He needs money from the western Hospitaller communities. He asks for help to be sent on the next passagium in March.
Dec. 24 1200 - early summer 1201. [270] The magister Hospitalis Jerusalem informs the prior Anglie of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem that the bishop of Acre, many pilgrims and many Hospitallers on their way to the West on the business of the Holy Land perished in a shipwreck off Biblium on... more
sources: Delaville Le Roulx, Cart Hosp 2:1-2, no. 1131 (RRH no. 787)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1590
year: 1207
initiator: Raymond Rupen, prince of Antioch
recipient: Cardinals and clergy of the Roman church
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: After May 22. Raymond Rupin, Dei clementia princeps Antiochenus, writes to the cardinals and clergy of the Roman church, informing them of his eleemosynary grant to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem of the city of Guabelum, which has recently been abandoned by the pagani and which he has visited, raising his banner [vexillum] and transferring the city into the hands of frater Joubertus castellanus Margati and other Hospitallers and raising the Order’s banner [vexillum] in place of his. Returning to Antioch and holding court [curia] he has ordered by public pronouncement all those who have feoda in the lordship of Guabelum to make homage [homagium] to the Hospitallers of St John. He asks that his gift be confirmed by the pope.
After May 22. Raymond Rupin, Dei clementia princeps Antiochenus, writes to the cardinals and clergy of the Roman church, informing them of his eleemosynary grant to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem of the city of Guabelum, which has recently been abandoned by the pagani and which he has visited... more
sources: Delaville Le Roulx, Cart Hosp 2:71, no. 1263 (RRH no. 820)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
1659
year: 1212
initiator: Bishop and chapter of Tripoli
recipient: Pope Innocent III
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
additional institution: Templars
text: Sept. 18. Segni. The bishop and chapter of the church of Tripoli have written to the pope. An interdict has been imposed on their city, because of the activities of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers of St John. The Orders are not observing it and the clergy have asked if they may do the same. Pope Innocent III states that since the Templars and Hospitallers are exceeding their rights the bishop and chapter have licence to ignore the interdict.
Sept. 18. Segni. The bishop and chapter of the church of Tripoli have written to the pope. An interdict has been imposed on their city, because of the activities of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers of St John. The Orders are not observing it and the clergy have asked if they may do the same... more
sources: Innocent III, ‘Register’ 216:688, no. 162; Liber Extra, col. 865