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towards Askalon.
When evening approached, it was proclaimed by mouth of herald,
that the army should march on the morrow, and cross the river of Acre in
the name of the Lord, Ñ the dispenser of all good things Ñ in order that
they should proceed to Askalon and conquer the maritime districts. It was
also ordered that the ships should take on board, for the army, ten daysÕ
provisions, Ñ viz., biscuits, meal, meat, and wine, and whatever else

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Itinerary
165
appeared necessary. The sailors were strictly enjoined to keep sailing along
shore, with the barges and smacks, which carried the provisions as well as
armed men; and thus the forces advanced in two divisions, one by sea the
other by land; for otherwise it was not possible to keep possession of the
country so completely occupied by the Turks.
Chapter VI. Ñ How many of our chiefs had died in a year and a half at the siege
of Acre.
It must be known, that during the two winters and one summer, and
up to the middle of the autumn, when the Turks were hanged, as they
deserved to be in the sight of God and man, in return for the destruction of
our churches and slaughter of our men, many of the Christians who were
engaged in the siege of Acre at a great sacrifice had died. The multitude of
those who perished in so great an army appears to exceed computation;
but the sum total of the chiefs, as a certain writer has estimated it, omitting
the others which he says he has no means of reckoning, is as follows: Ñ We
lost in the army six archbishops and patriarchs, twelve bishops, forty
counts, and five hundred men of noble rank; also a vast number of priests,
clergy, and others, which cannot be accurately counted.
Chapter VII. Ñ How King Richard compelled the French to quit Acre and how he
fixed his own tent outside the city.
After the Turks were hanged, King Richard, having recovered his
health, went out from the city with all his retinue, and ordered his tents to
be pitched in the plain outside, and compelled all his soldiers, who were
not willing, to quit the city; thus the army took up their quarters on the
aforesaid plain, to be ready for setting out on its March; of the French some
be allured by soft words, others by entreaties, and many by money, to
leave the place, and some be forced out violently. King Richard thereupon
appointed a large number of guards to lodge about his pavilion in their
tents and awnings, for his protection, as the Turks were making constant
irruptions, and all day coming up and rushing out on them unawares, and

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Itinerary
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it was the kingÕs custom to be the first to go forth to attack and punish
them, as far as the divine favour would allow him.
Chapter VIII. Ñ How the count of Hungary and the kingÕs marshal, having put
the Turks to flight who had attacked our men, were captured by them.
It happened one day that our camp was put into commotion by the
Turks, who were attacking our men, as was their custom, and making a
disturbance. Our men immediately ran to arms, the king and his cavalry
went forth, and also the count of Hungary, and very many Hungarians
with him, who, having put the Turks to flight, pursued them further than
they ought to have done: for some of our men, although they behaved
themselves most nobly, were taken captive on the spot and disgracefully
treated. The count of Hungary, a man of tried valour and renown, was
taken prisoner by the Turks and carried off, as well as a man of Poitou,
named Hugh, King RichardÕs marshal. The king fought recklessly, careless
of his own person, and strove with all his might to rescue Hugh, his
marshal; but he was hurried away too rapidly and carried off. Oh how
uncertain is the fate of war! Those who were but now victors are often
vanquished, and the vanquished becomes as suddenly victor; it was fated
for those who had put the enemy to flight to perish themselves, for the
pursuers were now captured by the pursued, and that which was ascribed
to their glory now proved their folly, and the deed of valour became the
cause of danger. In short, the Turks were not loaded with armour like our
men; but from their light movements distressed us so much the more
severely, for they were for the most part unarmed, carrying only a bow, or
a mace, bristling with sharp teeth, a scimitar, a light spear with an iron
head, and a dagger suspended lightly; and when put to flight with greater
force, they fled away on horseback with the utmost rapidity, for they have
not their equals for agility throughout the world; for it is their custom to
turn if they see their pursuers stop; Ñ like the fly, which, if you drive it
away, will go, but when you cease, it will return; as long as you pursue, it
will fly, but it reappears the moment you desist; so likewise the Turks,
when you desist from the pursuit they will pursue you; if you attack them,

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