year: 1222
initiator: Cardinal Pelagius of Albano, the papal legate
recipient: Simon Tirensis archiepiscopus; Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus
text: May 15. Acre. Cardinal Pelagius of Albano, the papal legate, issues a sealed confirmation of the sale made by Simon Tirensis archiepiscopus, in the presence of Patriarch Ralph of Jerusalem, the bishops of Bethlehem and Valenia [Valiensis], the magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, and the abbots of Mt Sion, Templum Domini, and St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, to Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus of the casale in Cyprus called Livadi for 2200 Saracen besants. The casale had been given to the archbishop and church of Tyre by King Aimery. The magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem promised to transfer the cash to the archbishop of Tyre.
May 15. Acre. Cardinal Pelagius of Albano, the papal legate, issues a sealed confirmation of the sale made by Simon Tirensis archiepiscopus, in the presence of Patriarch Ralph of Jerusalem, the bishops of Bethlehem and Valenia [Valiensis], the magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, and... more
sources: Coureas and Schabel, The Cartulary, pp. 140-1, no. 44 (RRH no. 944)
RRR: Council/ruling decisions/legislation
1968
year: 1224
initiator: Pope Honorius III
recipient: Patriarch of Antioch and the prior of the commandery [domus] of the Knights Templar
institution: Templars
text: Jun. 26. Lateran. The abbas et conventus sancti Simeonis de Antiochia have informed Pope Honorius III that they are being oppressed by exactions from Count B. of Tripoli, who acts as though he was prince of Antioch, has expelled them from their abbey and has introduced other monks through simony. Pope Honorius writes to the patriarch of Antioch and the prior of the commandery [domus] of the Knights Templar [332] in Antioch to compel the count to desist.
Jun. 26. Lateran. The abbas et conventus sancti Simeonis de Antiochia have informed Pope Honorius III that they are being oppressed by exactions from Count B. of Tripoli, who acts as though he was prince of Antioch, has expelled them from their abbey and has introduced other monks through simony.... more
sources: Claverie, Honorius, p. 398, no. 84
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2104
year: 1229
initiator: Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem
recipient: Pope Gregory IX
text: Mar. 26. Acre. Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem reports to Pope Gregory IX critically and at length on the actions of the emperor Frederick II in the Holy Land. He describes the journey of the emperor from Acre to Jaffa in November 1228, followed by the Christian army; the anger of the sultan at the refortification of Jaffa and the seizure of provisions from neighbouring casalia at a time when negotiations for a truce were in train; the emollient response of the emperor; the rejection of the emperor’s notary, who was responsible for negotiations, and the sultan’s request for direct talks with comes Thomas; the ill treatment of pilgrims; the sending of singers to please the emperor; and the emperor’s private announcement on 11 February to 4 of the leaders of the Latin East that poverty was forcing him to make a truce. The patriarch describes the terms of the truce: including the surrender of the city of Jerusalem, which could be fortified, except for the Templum Domini, which the Sarraceni can enter, Bethlehem and 2 small casalia on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the casalia on the road between Jerusalem and Jaffa, Nazareth and 2 casalia between Nazareth and Acre, Tyrum [Toron], which cannot be fortified, Sidon and 2 casalia. He stresses the absence of any grant of land outside Jerusalem to the patriarch, the Holy Sepulchre, the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, St Mary of the Latins, St Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the Templum Domini, the Mt of Olives or Mt Sion. Only the Knights Templar gained their property between Jerusalem and Jaffa. The nobles reluctantly agreed, provided they could fortify Jerusalem. The magistri of the Military Orders and the bishops of England replied that they could not agree if the patriarch was not consulted, but the emperor replied that he would not take this step. The emperor then swore to abide by the terms of a secret codicil privately with no one present. The emperor had the support of the magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans, who with, comes Thomasius and the dominus Sydonis received oaths of acceptance from the sultan of Egypt. The dominus Sydonis approached the sultan of Damascus, but he refused to agree, claiming that his relations were plotting against him. The magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans asked the patriarch to come to the entry into Jerusalem. The patriarch gave reasons for his refusal. The magister sent, through frater W. de ordine Predicatorum, penitentiarius patriarche, a transcript of the truce, which the patriarch subjects to critical analysis. The patriarch continues that the emperor crowned himself in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. There followed a long speech delivered by the magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans in both German and French, praising the emperor’s achievement. The Wintoniensis episcopus and the Exoniensis episcopus, the magister of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and the preceptor of the Knights Templar [the magister being absent] met the emperor and the magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans to discuss aid for the refortification of Jerusalem, but after delays they had no reply, even after the Knights Templars had offered to take responsibility for this. The emperor returned to Acre by way of Jaffa.
Mar. 26. Acre. Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem reports to Pope Gregory IX critically and at length on the actions of the emperor Frederick II in the Holy Land. He describes the journey of the emperor from Acre to Jaffa in November 1228, followed by the Christian army; the anger of the sultan at the... more
sources: Rodenberg, Epistolae 1:299-304, no. 384 (RRH no. 1001)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2101
year: 1229
initiator: Hermannus, master of the Hospital of Saint Mary of the Germans
recipient: Pope Gregory IX
text: Mar. 7-17. Frater H. Hospitalis sancta Marie domus Theutonicorum in Ierusalem minister reports to Pope Gregory IX on events in the Holy Land since the arrival of the emperor Frederick in autumn 1228. He describes how on 15 November the emperor with his army reached Jaffa to refortify its castle and prepare for an advance on Jerusalem. They were hindered by a lack of pack animals [somarii] and by bad weather that was preventing provisioning by sea, although eventually the weather eased. While work continued on the fortifications, messengers passed between the emperor and the sultan of Egypt, who was camping at Gaza with his brother Seraph, while the sultan of Damascus was established at Nablus. The sultan of Egypt restored Jerusalem to the emperor, except only the Templum Domini, which would be open to those of both sides wishing to pray there. The sultan also restored villa Sancti Georgii [Lydda] with the casalia on either side of the road to Jerusalem; Bethlehem with the casalia between it and Jerusalem; Nazareth with the casalia on either side of the road to Acre; castrum Tyronis; and the city of Sidon. The Christians can refortify Jerusalem, Jaffa, Caesarea and the new castle of Montfort, belonging to the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans. The sultan promises not to refortify castles or build new ones until the end of the truce. All prisoners taken by either side at Damietta will be returned. The emperor went to Jerusalem and wore his crown. Frater Leonardus reached Jaffa on 7 March, bringing disturbing news of events on Europe. The archiepiscopus Reginus will provide the pope with further reports.
Mar. 7-17. Frater H. Hospitalis sancta Marie domus Theutonicorum in Ierusalem minister reports to Pope Gregory IX on events in the Holy Land since the arrival of the emperor Frederick in autumn 1228. He describes how on 15 November the emperor with his army reached Jaffa to refortify its castle and... more
sources: MGH Leges 2:161-2, no. 121 (RRH no. 999)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2102
year: 1229
initiator: Emperor Frederick II
recipient: Pope Gregory IX
text: Mar. 18. Jerusalem. Frederick, Dei gratia Romanorum imperator semper augustus Ierusalem et Sicilie rex, writes to Pope Gregory IX, copying the letter for general circulation, including a copy sent to the king of England. He praises God for his achievements in the Holy Land. He describes, in the same terms as the magister of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans, how he reached Jaffa on 15 November to refortify its castle and prepare for an advance on Jerusalem. He was hindered by a lack of pack animals [equitaturi] and by bad weather that was preventing provisioning by sea, although eventually the weather eased. While work continued on the fortifications, messengers passed between the emperor and the sultan of Egypt, who was camping at Gaza with his brother Scharaph, while the sultan of Damascus was established at Nablus. The sultan of Egypt restored Jerusalem to the emperor, with all the land descending down to Jaffa, except only for the Templum Domini, which would be open to Muslims wishing to pray there, alhough they must visit without weapons. He also restored Bethlehem with the land between it and Jerusalem; Nazareth with the land between it and Acre; all the terra Toronis; and the city of Sidon, the port of which had been a transit between Damascus and Egypt. The Christians can refortify Jerusalem, Jaffa, Sidon, Caesarea and the castle belonging to the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans in the mountains of Acre. The sultan promises not to refortify castles or build new ones until the end of the truce, which will last for 10 years. The truce was confirmed by oath on 18 February. On the advice of the patriarch of Jerusalem and the magistri and brothers of the [military orders], the emperor will inform the pope personally when he returns to Europe. Meanwhile he entered Jerusalem on 17 March, wore his crown and gave orders for the rebuilding of the city, which he proposes to refortify. The sultan will return all Christian prisoners, including those taken at Damietta.
Mar. 18. Jerusalem. Frederick, Dei gratia Romanorum imperator semper augustus Ierusalem et Sicilie rex, writes to Pope Gregory IX, copying the letter for general circulation, including a copy sent to the king of England. He praises God for his achievements in the Holy Land. He describes, in the... more
sources: MGH Leges 2:162-7 (RRH no. 1000)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2127
year: 1229
initiator: Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem
recipient: All Christians
text: May 1-31. Acre. Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem writes a general letter, addressed to all Christians. He describes the damage done by the emperor Frederick, who arrived, already excommunicated, with only 40 milites and no money, hoping to sustain himself from local resources. In Cyprus, he detained J. de Ybellino, his sons and the king, and took control of the kingdom through violence and fraud. He immediately sent emissaries to the sultan of Egypt to treat for peace, using the pretext of refortifying Jaffa as a means of approaching him. He claimed to have restored Jerusalem, which he entered and, although excommunicated, crowned himself in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Sarraceni retain the Templum Domini and the Templum Salamonis, proclaiming Islam publicly. The emperor, who had promised that the city would be refortified, left on the following day, although the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers of St John had asked him to start refortifying as he had promised. Knowing that Jerusalem could not be held unless fortified, he returned to Acre on 25 March stating that he would soon return to the West, although there was no truce with the sultan of Damascus. The leaders in the Holy Land wanted to retain the milites provided by the alms of the late king of France and the patriarch pointed out there was no truce with the sultan of Damascus, but the emperor stated that without his authority as king of Jerusalem no milites could be retained. The patriarch made a public statement of his case to the peregrini. The emperor, insisting to the magister of the Knights Templar that mercenaries [milites stipendarii] could not be retained in the Holy Land, since this would prejudice him, forbade all milites peregrini to remain and ordered comes Thomas, whom he was leaving as ballivus in terra, to punish those who stayed. He placed crossbowmen [balistarii] and archers [sagittarii] at the city gates to prevent the Knights Templars access and to deny the city provisions, and also throughout Acre and around the Templar headquarters [domus]. His followers drove out the Dominicans and some Franciscans, who had gathered to preach the Word of God. Seeing that these measures were not effective, the emperor sued unsuccessfully for peace, but he transported weapons secretly by ship to the sultan of Egypt, sent some of his milites to Cyprus to extort money and destroyed the galeae he could not take with him. He left on 1 May secretly, telling no one, leaving Jaffa destitute, poor Christians and Siriani isolated outside the town walls, and pilgrimages interrupted.
May 1-31. Acre. Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem writes a general letter, addressed to all Christians. He describes the damage done by the emperor Frederick, who arrived, already excommunicated, with only 40 milites and no money, hoping to sustain himself from local resources. In Cyprus, he detained J... more
sources: Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora 3:179-84 (RRH no. 1015)
RRR: Correspondence/envoy
2103
year: 1229
initiator: Hermannus, master of the Hospital of Saint Mary of the Germans
text: After Mar. 19. Frater H. Hospitalis sancta Marie domus Teutonicorum in Ierusalem minister describes for an unknown correspondent the entry of the emperor Frederick into Jerusalem on 17 March and his self-coronation on the 18th in the presence of the Panormitanus archiepiscopus, Capuanus archiepiscopus and many others and, at length, the justificatory speech made by Frater H himself in both Latin and German. He reports that on the following day the archbishop of Caesarea, who had been sent by the patriarch, placed the church of the Holy Sepulchre and all the Holy Places under an interdict. He describes the fury of the army and the anger of the emperor, who, after ordering the rebuilding of the city, returned to Jaffa. Frater H. understands that the interdict had been placed, because the Templum Domini had been left in the hands of the Sarraceni, even though the emperor’s homines guard the gates to the Temple area.
After Mar. 19. Frater H. Hospitalis sancta Marie domus Teutonicorum in Ierusalem minister describes for an unknown correspondent the entry of the emperor Frederick into Jerusalem on 17 March and his self-coronation on the 18th in the presence of the Panormitanus archiepiscopus, Capuanus... more
sources: MGH Leges 2:167-8 (RRH no. 1000)
RRR: Council/ruling decisions/legislation
2201
year: 1233
initiator: Pope Gregory IX
recipient: Bohemond V, prince of Antioch and count of Tripoli
institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
additional institution: Templum Domini
text: Apr. 10. Lateran. At the request of the patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem, Pope Gregory IX writes to the prince of Antioch, lifting the excommunication imposed by Cardinal Pelagius of Albano because of the dispute between the prince and the brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. He confirms that the abbas of the Templum Domini will formally absolve the prince, now that the dispute has been satisfactorily resolved.
Apr. 10. Lateran. At the request of the patriarchs of Antioch and Jerusalem, Pope Gregory IX writes to the prince of Antioch, lifting the excommunication imposed by Cardinal Pelagius of Albano because of the dispute between the prince and the brothers of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. He... more
sources: Gregory IX, Les Registres 1:694-5, no. 1223 (RRH no. 1030)
year: 1233
initiator: Hugo abbas Dominici Templi
recipient: Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus
text: Sept. 30. Acre. In the patriarch’s curia. With the consent of the canons of the Templum Domini, Nicolaus prior, Iohannes de Alvernia canonicus together with Iohannes laycus conversus and Bartholomeus laycus conversus, and in the presence and with the authority of Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem, Hugo abbas Dominici Templi records that for the benefit of his church and to raise the cash to buy some houses in the ruga Provincialium in Acre from Constantinus Brictius he has sold a prestia [on Cyprus], which had been constructed by King Guy of Jerusalem near the river and opposite the casale of the late Guillermus de Balma, with 10 carucate terre around it, to Eustorgius archiepiscopus Nicosiensis, representing the church of Nicosia, for 1100 Saracen besants in Acre weight, with which he has paid for the houses in Acre. Witnesses: R. episcopus Liddensis; N. decanus Acconensis; P. abbas Montis Thabor; magister Guillermus Durandus, canonicus Nicosiensis; frater Iohannes de Aaras; frater Guillermus de Berbisi; frater Iohannes prior Episcopie. The charter was written by Gerardus Benenati Cascinenscis filius, imperialis aule et domini imperatoris judex et communis Pisani in Accon scriba publicus. It is sealed by G. patriarcha Iherusalem, apostolice sedis legatus, Hugo abbas Dominici Templi and the capitulum Dominici Templi.
Sept. 30. Acre. In the patriarch’s curia. With the consent of the canons of the Templum Domini, Nicolaus prior, Iohannes de Alvernia canonicus together with Iohannes laycus conversus and Bartholomeus laycus conversus, and in the presence and with the authority of Patriarch Gerold of Jerusalem, Hugo... more
sources: Coureas and Schabel, The Cartulary, pp. 138-40, no. 43 (RRH no. 1045)
RRR: Dispute/arbitration
2246
year: 1235
initiator: Pope Gregory IX
recipient: Magistri and brothers of the Knights Templar and Hospital of St John of Jerusalem
institution: Templars
additional institution: Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
text: Aug. 23. Perugia. Pope Gregory IX rebukes the magistri and brothers of the Knights Templar and Hospital of St John of Jerusalem over the way a dispute between them about certain mills has degenerated into violence, in spite of the efforts of the papal legate, the archbishop of Ravenna, to resolve it. Reminding them of their obligations, he orders them to send suitable procurators to the Holy See by the next passage in March to receive the papal judgement. He has ordered the abbas of the Templum Domini and the abbas of St Samuel to enforce this with excommunication. He also writes in the same terms to the abbas of the Templum Domini and the abbas of St Samuel in Acre.
Aug. 23. Perugia. Pope Gregory IX rebukes the magistri and brothers of the Knights Templar and Hospital of St John of Jerusalem over the way a dispute between them about certain mills has degenerated into violence, in spite of the efforts of the papal legate, the archbishop of Ravenna, to resolve... more
sources: Gregory IX, Les Registres 2:148 -50, nos. 2742, 2744; Claverie, L’ordre du Temple 2:416-17, no. 5 (RRH no. 1062a)