Microsoft Word richard of holy trinity inp

Itinerary
163
any steps to restore the cross; nay, he neglected the hostages who were
bound for it, for he hoped, by means of it, to obtain much more
advantageous terms. Meanwhile, he sent constant presents and messengers
to King Richard to gain delay by artful and deceptive words, though he
fulfilled none of his promises, but tried to keep the kingÕs mind in suspense
by crafty and ambiguous messages.
Chapter III. Ñ How the king of England sent twice to Tyre, before he could obtain
the hostages of Saladin from the Marquis, and how he himself refused to return.
In the meantime messages were sent to Tyre to command the
marquis to return to the army, and bring with him the hostages which had
been committed to his charge, in order to get the ransom for them, Ñ viz.,
the share of the payment which belonged to the king of France. With the
message were sent the bishop of Salisbury, Earl Robert, and Peter de
Pratellis, a very eminent soldier. To these three messengers the marquis
answered indignantly, that he dared not venture into King RichardÕs
presence: moreover, he boasted that if the true cross was ever recovered, he
was to receive the half of it for the king of France; and that until this was
accomplished he would not resign the hostages. On ascertaining the
obstinate determination of the marquis, the messengers tried to prevail
upon him with soft speeches, offering to leave one of themselves as an
hostage to secure his safe journey to and from King Richard; but they did
not succeed in persuading him, Ñ nay, he refused with an oath to come.
They therefore returned unsuccessful and empty handed, and excited the
kingÕs anger by telling him the whole matter. At his request the duke of
Burgundy, Drogo dÕAmiens, and Robert de Quincey, were sent on a second
embassy to request the said marquis to come with them to the army, as his
presence seemed necessary to the progress of the business, especially as he
aspired to the kingdom, the acquisition of which he was preventing; and
that he should grant those who were bringing provisions a free passage
from Tyre, for (according to his former conduct) he had hitherto hindered
them; and on their arrival at Tyre, they set forth their zeal in behalf of King
Richard, and urged him to come to their aid in Syria, the dominion of

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Itinerary
164
which he aspired to obtain. But he replied arrogantly, protesting that he
would not come, but would maintain the government of his own city.
When they answered each of his assertions, by contrary arguments, the
matter was with difficulty brought to this point,that the messengers should
take back with them the Saracen hostages to King Richard; but they could,
by no method or persuasion, prevail on the marquis to turn from his
obstinate and wicked intentions.
Chapter IV. Ñ How the hostages of Saladin were slain by our men.
When it became clearly evident to King Richard that a longer period
had elapsed than had been fixed, and that Saladin was obdurate, and
would not give himself trouble to ransom the hostages, he called together a
council of the chiefs of the people, by whom it was resolved that the
hostages should all be hanged, except a few nobles of the higher class, who
might ransom themselves, or be exchanged for some Christian captives.
King Richard, aspiring to destroy the Turks root and branch, and to punish
their wanton arrogance, as well as to abolish the law of Mahomet, and to
vindicate the Christian religion, on the Friday after the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, ordered 2,700 of the Turkish hostages to be led forth
from the city., and hanged; his soldiers marched forward with delight to
fulfil his commands, and to retaliate, with the assent of the Divine Grace,
by taking revenge upon those who had destroyed so many of the
Christians with missiles from bows and arbalests.
Chapter V. Ñ How King Richard ordered his army to move by land and by sea