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Itinerary
247
Book VI.
Chapter I. Ñ How, when the French were desirous of proceeding to Jerusalem,
King Richard would not agree, without the advice of the Templars, Hospitallers,
and natives of the country.
When the army had worshipped the Cross for a long time, in their
exceeding great joy, the lower order and common people complained, and
said, ÒO Lord God, what shall we do? Shall we still proceed to Jerusalem?
What more shall we undertake? Shall we be able to hold out until we have
accomplished our pilgrimage?Ó Thus loud murmurs and complaints arose
amongst the people. On which account, the king and the leaders of the
army assembled together, to consider whether it was expedient to proceed
to the siege of Jerusalem or not. The French earnestly entreated, and even
exhorted the king to proceed; but he replied, that it could not be done.
ÒFor,Ó said the king, Òyou will not see me acting as the guide and leader of
the people in this matter; for I might incur disgrace thereby, as it would be
the height of imprudence now to press on this enterprise. If it please you to
proceed to Jerusalem, I will not desert you; I will be your comrade, but not
your commander; I will follow, not lead you. Does not Saladin know all
that goes on in our camp; and do you think that our weak condition has
escaped his notice? He is aware of our precise strength, and that we are so
distant from the sea-coast, that if the enemy were to come down with force
from the mountains to the plains of Ramula, to watch the roads, and block
up the passage, against those who convey our provisions, the consequences
would be most disastrous to the besiegers. When too late, we should
repent, and pay the penalty of our foolhardy enterprise. Moreover, the
walls of Jerusalem, to which we propose to lay siege, are, as we hear, very
great in circuit; and were we to attempt to blockade it with our troops, few
as they now are, and proportionably divided, their number would not be
sufficient to carry on the siege, or to protect those who brought in the
supplies, in case the Turks should attack them; nay, they would, one and
all, be utterly destroyed to a certainty, if they had none to relieve them.
Should I, therefore, undertake this hazardous enterprise, and should any

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Itinerary
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misfortune befall when I was general (which God forbid), I alone should be
blamed for my blind infatuation; and should alone be responsible for the
danger, were I, in these circumstances, to conduct the troops to the siege of
Jerusalem. But there is no doubt, and I am well aware, that there are
persons here at present, as well as in France, who have long wished, and
very much desired, that I should exert my utmost efforts in this matter,
without due and proper caution; and that I should perform daring acts,
which might justly be questioned, and bring infamy on my hitherto
spotless name. Wherefore, in so hazardous an undertaking, with such
doubtful issue, I should deem it wrong to rush rashly forward, without
great precaution. Moreover, we, and our people, are ignorant of the locality
of this region, of the roads and defiles; which, if we were better acquainted
with, we should be able to proceed with greater safety; until we attained,
with joy and triumph, the long-desired success. But I am of opinion, that
the best course to pursue, is to ask the advice of the natives of the soil, who
long to recover their lands and former possessions, and endeavour to
ascertain from them what they deem best to be done, as they are fully
acquainted with the nature of the roads. I think also we should consult the
Templars and Hospitallers, and take their judgment and opinion, as to
whether we should proceed, first, to the siege of Jerusalem, or to Babylon,
or Baruth, or Damascus; and thus our army will not continue, as now, to be
divided into parties, from diversity of opinion.Ó
Chapter II. Ñ How it was agreed by common consent, that twenty discreet men