Microsoft Word richard of holy trinity inp

another by means of messengers.
When therefore the king, in his present emergency, had settled
matters in the way described, he, in his magnanimity, which always aimed
at something lowly and difficult, sent ambassadors to Saladin, announcing
to him, in the presence of numerous of his chiefs, that he had only asked
for a truce of three years for the purpose of revisiting his country, and
collecting more men and money, wherewith to return and rescue all the
land of Jerusalem from his domination, if indeed Saladin should have the
courage to face him in the field. To this Saladin replied, calling his own
Holy Law and God Almighty to witness, that he entertained such an
exalted opinion of King RichardÕs honour, magnanimity, and general
excellence, that he would rather lose his dominions to him than to any
other king he had ever seen, always supposing that he was obliged to lose
his dominions at all. Alas! how blind are men, whilst they lay plans for
many years to come, they know not what to-morrow may bring forth: the
kingÕs mind was looking forward into the future, and he hoped to recover
the Sepulchre of our Lord; but he did not
Reflect how every human thing

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Itinerary
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Hangs pendent on a slender string.
Chapter XXIX. Ñ How the king went to Cayphas for his health.
The truce having been reduced to writing, and confirmed by oaths on
both sides, the king went to Cayphas in the best manner he could, to take
medicine and get himself cured.
Chapter XXX. Ñ How the French, by the kingÕs agency, for their malice, were
forbidden to visit the Holy Sepulchre, whilst the others had permission.
In the meantime the French, who had been long enjoying a holiday at
Acre, were getting ready to return home; but though they had venomously
opposed the truce, they now, before leaving the country, wished to
complete their pilgrimage by visiting our LordÕs Sepulchre. The king,
remembering their backwardness to assist him at Joppa, as we have
related, and also on many other occasions, sent messengers to request that
neither Saladin nor Saphadin, his brother, would allow any one to visit the
Holy Sepulchre who did not bring a passport from either himself or Count
Henry. The French were much vexed at this, and foiled of their object, soon
afterwards returned to their own country, carrying back nothing with them
but the reproach of ingratitude. The king, hearing that the greater part of
the French who did their utmost to defame him were gone home, and that
the mouths of his slanderers were stopped, caused it to be announced by
proclamation, that whoever wished might visit our LordÕs tomb, and bring
back their offerings to help in repairing the walls of Joppa.
Chapter XXXI. Ñ Of the first company who made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem,
led by Andrew de Chavegui, and of the alarm occasioned by their indiscretion on
the way.
The people were now arrayed to visit Jerusalem in three companies,
each of which was placed under a separate leader. The first was led by
Andrew de Chavegui; the second by Ralph Teissun; and the third by

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Itinerary
279
Hubert bishop of Salisbury. The first company then advanced under
Andrew bearing letters from the king. But, for their sins, they fell into a
snare on the journey; for when they reached the Plain of Ramula, they by
common consent despatched messengers to inform Saladin that they were
coming with letters from King Richard, and that they wished to have a
safe-conduct, coming and going. The messengers were noble men, and
energetic in character, but on this occasion they well nigh incurred the
charge of neglecting their duty; their names were William des Roches,
Girard de Tourneval, and Peter de Pratelles. When they came to Òthe
Tower of the Soldiers,Ó they halted there to procure the authority of
Saphadin for proceeding further; but there they fell asleep, and slept till
sunset, and found on awaking that all the pilgrims, on whose behalf they
came, had passed by and were gone on before them. The whole number
crossed the plains and were approaching the hills, when Andrew de
Chavegui and the rest, looking behind them, saw their own messengers
coming after them as fast as they were able. Seeing this, they halted in
much alarm, considering that they were in great danger of being put to
death, for the army of the Turks had not yet departed, and their
messengers, who ought to have brought back for them a safe-conduct from
the Saracens, were now behind them. When therefore these came up, the
others blamed them for their neglect, and told them once more to make
haste on before, and do as they had been instructed. The messengers went
on with all speed to Jerusalem, and found about 2,000 Turks, or more,
encamped without the city. They inquired for Saphadin, and when they
had found him, they explained what had happened, and he, rebuking them
smartly, said it was evident that they did not value their lives a rush, as
they had come into the middle of a hostile army without passport or
safeguard of any kind. It was now sunset, and the other pilgrims came up,
not knowing what they ought to do, and having no arms to defend
themselves. The Turks grinned and frowned on them as they passed, and it
was manifest by their looks what enmity they harboured in their hearts, for
the face is after the index of the mind; and our men at that moment were so
confounded that they wished themselves back again at Tyre, or even Acre,

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