Microsoft Word richard of holy trinity inp

collected an immense army.

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Itinerary
258
When the state and intention of the Christians were made known to
Saladin, his hopes revived, and his joy was unbounded. He immediately
sent messengers bearing despatches, sealed with his own ring, to the
admirals, princes, satraps, and prefects of his dominions, informing them
of the internal discord which had broken up the Christian army and forced
them to retire; and that whoever wished to serve in his pay, should come
forthwith to Jerusalem. So large a number flocked thither in consequence,
that the cavalry was estimated at 20,000 strong, besides a countless
multitude of foot soldiers.
Chapter XI. Ñ How King Richard, seeing the defection of his men, sought to
obtain the truce which had been first offered him, but in vain, and how in
consequence he destroyed Darum and fortified Ascalon, and then returned to Acre
by way of Joppa.
Meanwhile our men moved off by degrees, and many went to Joppa.
The king perceiving his inability to check them on account of the diversity
of opinion which prevailed, thought the best line of policy was to send to
Saphadin at this juncture, and agree to the truce, which had been before
offered between him and Saladin, in the plains of Ramula, for a certain
period, in order that he might have time to return from his own country.
But Saladin, who knew well the condition of our army, and that it was
daily growing weaker and weaker, absolutely refused, unless Ascalon was
razed to the ground. The king, learning SaladinÕs answer, was not at all
discomposed; nay, he gave immediate orders to the Templars, Hospitallers,
and others, to the number of three hundred, to mount their horses and
proceed to the destruction of Fort Darum; and he set guards to watch over
and fortify Ascalon as strongly as possible. They hastened to obey the
kingÕs orders, and levelled Darum with the ground. The army then
returned in dejected mood as far as Joppa, and thence the king and the rest
proceeded in all haste to Acre, but many remained from ill health and
weakness at Joppa. Thus the army returned to Acre, broken up, with a

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Itinerary
259
heavy heart, for God did not as yet judge them worthy of the higher
bounties of his grace.
Chapter XII. Ñ Of the great army with which Saladin came to Joppa.
When Saladin heard that the men of Joppa were without the presence
of King Richard to protect them, he ordered his army should proceed
thither, in the hope that he would easily take the city during the kingÕs
absence. He therefore led an immense army having 20,000 horse in that
direction; and he had with him the powerful admiral of Bala, and the son
of Arcisus, together with about one hundred and six admirals, and an
immense multitude of infantry from the mountains, who covered the face
of the earth like locusts. The army, leaving Jerusalem, descended into the
plains of Ramula, rushing on in troops and squadrons as if impelled by the
furies to the utter destruction of the Christians.
Chapter XIII. Ñ How Saladin assaulted Joppa so vigorously, that he would have
taken it, if the townsmen had not asked for a cessation of arms until the next day.
On the same Sunday, next preceding the feast of St. Peter ad vincula,
being the same day on which King Richard came with his army to Acre,
Saladin advanced with his troops to assault Joppa. On the Monday
following they began to attack the castle; but the citizens issuing forth into
the suburbs, resisted them the whole day, and prevented them from
approaching the town. Tuesday and Wednesday also passed away in the
same manner; nor was it till Thursday, that the Turks, ashamed of being
baffled by so few, made a great exertion, and formed the siege at once. By
the command of Saladin, four powerful petrari¾ were erected, and two
mangonels of great efficiency for casting missiles. The besieged were about
5,000 in number, and they now began to be afflicted at their desperate
condition, and to call out upon the Lord to save them. They also turned
their thoughts towards the king of England, and to wish that he had not
gone to Acre, leaving them there to be destroyed. Meanwhile, the Turks
pressed on the siege; and it would have melted any one to tears to have

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