of the linage of Porphyrie, crowned by Gods grace, high, puissant, mighty,
alwayes most souereign, and gouernour of the Romans; vnto Henry the most
famous king of England, his most deare friend, greeting and all good
successe. Whereas our imperiall highnesse thinketh it expedient to
aduertise you our welbeloued friend of all our affaires: We thought it not
amisse to signifie vnto your, royal Maiestie certaine exploits at this
present atchieued by vs. From the beginning therefore of our inauguration
our imperiall highnes hath mainteined most deadly feod and hostility
against Gods enemies the Persians, seeing them so to triumph ouer
Christians, to exalt themselues against the Name of God, and to vsurpe ouer
Christian kingdomes. For which cause our imperial highnesse hath in some
sort encountered them heretofore, and did as it pleased God to giue vs
grace. And we suppose that your Maiestie is not ignorant, what our
imperiall highnesse hath often performed for their ruine and subversion.
For euen now, being vrged thereunto, we haue determined to leade a mighty
army against them, and to wage warre against all Persia. And albeit our
forces be not so great as we could wish they were, yet haue we according to
the time, and the present state of things strongly inuaded them. Wherefore
our Maiestie imperiall hath gathered our armies together: but because we
had in our armie sundry carts laden with armour, engines and other
instruments for the assault of cities, to an exceeding weight we could not
make any great speed in our iourney. Moreouer while our imperiall highnesse
was yet marching in our owne dominions, before any barbarous enemy had
fought against vs: our people were visited with the most grieuous disease
of the fluxe, which being dispersed in our troups destroyed and slew great
numbers, more then the sword of the enemy would haue done, which mischiefe
so preuailing, did woonderfully abate our forces. But after we had inuaded
the Turkish frontiers, we had at the first very often and hot skirmishes,
and the Turks came swarming to fight against our imperiall troups. Howbeit
by Gods assistance those miscreants were altogether scattered and put to
flight by our souldiers. But as we approched vnto that strait passage which
is called by the Persians Cibrilcimam, so many bands of Persian footemen
and horsemen (most whereof came from the innermost parts of Persia, to
succour their Allies) encountred our army, as were almost superiour vnto vs
in number. Wherefore the army of our Imperiall highnesse, by reason of the
straightnesse and difficultie of the way, being stretched ten miles in
length; and the first not being able to helpe the last, nor yet
contrarywise the last to rescue the first, it came to passe that they were
very farre distant asunder. And in very deed the foremost troupes were much
separated from the guard of our imperiall person, who forgetting their
fellowes behind, would not stay any whit for them. Because therefore the
Turkish bands knew full well by their former conflicts that it was
bootlesse for them to assaile the forefront of our battell, and perceiuing
the narownesse of the place to be a great aduantage, they determined to set
vpon our rereward, and did so. Wherefore our passage being very straight,
and the infidels assayling vs upon the right hand and vpon the left, and on
all sides, and discharging their weapons as thicke as hailestones against
vs, slew diuers of our men and horses. Hereupon, the slaughter of our
people still encreasing, our maiestie imperiall deemed it requisite to stay
behind, and to succour our bands in the rereward, and so expecting them we
sustained the fierce encounter of many thousand Persians. What exploits our
Imperiall person atchieued in the same skirmish, I hold it needlesse at
this time to recount: your maiestie may perhaps vnderstand more of this
matter by them which were there present Howbeit our Imperiall highnesse
being in the middest of this conflict, and enduring the fight with so great
danger, all our hindermost troups, both Greekes, Latines, and other
nations, retiring themselues close together, and not being able to suffer
the violence of their enemies weapons, pressed on so hard, and were caried
with such maine force, that hastening to ascend the next hill for their
better safegard, they vrged on them which went before, whether they would
or no. Wherevpon, much dust being raised, which stopped our eyes and
vtterly depriued vs of sight, and our men and horses pressing so sore one
vpon the necke of another, plunged themselues on the sudden into such a
steepe and dangerous valley, that treading one vpon another, they quelled
to death not onely a multitude of the common souldiours, but diuers most
honourable personages, and some of our neere kinsmen. For who could
restraine the irresistable throng of so huge a multitude? Howbeit our
Imperiall highnesse being enuironed with such swarmes of Infidels, and
giuing and receiuing wounds (insomuch that the miscreants were greatly
dismaied at our constancie) we gaue not ouer, but by Gods assistance wonne
the field. Neither did we permit the enemie to ascend vnto that place, from
whence we skirmished with him. Neither yet spurred wee on our horse any
faster for all their assaults. But marshalling air our troupes together,
and deliuering them out of danger, we disposed them about our Imperial
person; and so we ouertooke the foremost, and marched in good order with
our whole army. Nowe the Soldan perceiuing that notwithstanding the great
damages which we had sustained, our Imperial hignes prouided to giue him a
fresh encounter, humbly submitting himselfe vnto vs, and vsing submissive
speaches, made suite to haue peace at our hands, and promised to fulfill
the pleasure of our maiestie Imperiall, to doe vs seruice against all
commers, to release all our subiects which were captiues in his realme, and
to rest wholy at our commaund. [Sidenote: The citie of Iconium intended to
haue bene besieged.] Here therefore we remained two dayes with great
authoritie; and considering that wee could attempt nought against the citie
of Iconium, hauing lost all our warrelike engines, both for defence and for
batterie, for that the oxen which drew them were slaine with the enemies
weapons, falling as thicke as hailestones: and also for because all our
beasts in a maner were most grieuously diseased; our maiestie Imperial
accepted of the Soldans petition, league, and oath being made and taken
vnder our ensignes, and granted our peace vnto him. Then returned we into
our owne dominions, being greatly grieued for the losse of our deere
kinsmen, and yeelding vnto God most humble thanks, who of his goodnesse had
euen now giuen vs the victory. [Sidenote: Certaine noblemen of the king of
England were with the Emperor in his battell against the Soldan of
Iconium.] We are right glad likewise that some of your maiesties princes
and nobles accompanied vs in this action, who are able to report vnto you
all things which haue happened. And albeit we were exceedingly grieued for
the losse of our people; yet thought it we expedient to signifie vnto you
the successe of our affaires, as vnto our welbeloued friend, and one who is
very neerely allied vnto our highnesse Imperial, by reason of the
consanguitie of our children Farewell. Giuen in the moneth of Nouember, and
vpon the tenth Indiction.
* * * * *
The life and trauailes of Baldwinus Deuonius, sometime Archbishop of
Canterbury.
Baldwinus Deuonius, tenui loco Excestrire natus, vir ore facundus, exactus
Philosophus, et de omne studiorum genus per illos dies aptissimus
inueniebatur. Scholarum rector primùm erat, tum postea Archidiaconus,
eruditione ac sapientia in omni negotio celebris: fuit præterea
Cisterciensis Monachus, et Abbas Fordensis Coenobij, magnus suorum
testimatione, ar vniuiersæ eorum societati quasi Antesignanus: fuit deinde
Wigorniensis præsul, fuit et mortuo demùm Richardo Cantuariorum
Archiepiscopus, ac totius Angliæ Primas. Cui muneri Baldwinus sollicitè
inuigilans, egregium se pastorem exhibuit, dominicum semen, quantum
patiebatur eius temporis, iniquitas, vbique locorum spargens. Richardus
Anglorum rex, acceptis tunc regni insignijs, summo studio classem, ac omnia
ad Hierosolymitanum bellum gerendum necessaria parauit. Secutus est illico
regem in Syriam, et Palestinam vsque Baldwinus, vt esset in tam Sancto (vt
ipse putabat) itinere laborum, dolorum, ac periculorum particeps. Præfuit
Cantuariensi Ecclesiæ ferè 6 annis, et Richardum regem in Syriam secutus,
anno Salutis nostræ 1190. Tyri vitam finiuit, vbi et sepultus est.
The same in English.
Baldwine a Deuonshire man borne in Exceter of mean parentage, was a very
eloquent man, an exact Philosopher, and in those dayes very excellent in
all kind of studies. He was first of all a Schoolemaster: afterwards he
became an Archdeacon, very famous for his learning and wisedom in all his
doings. He was also a Cistercian Monke and Abbot of Foord Monasterie, and
the chiefe of all those that were of his order: he grew after this to be
bishop of Worcester, and at last after the death of Archb. Richard he was
promoted and made Archbishop of Canterbury, and Primate of all England. In
the discharge of which place he being very vigilant, shewed, himself a
worthy Pastor, sowing the seed of Gods word in euery place as farre foorth
as the iniquitie of that time permitted. In his time king Richard with all
indeauour prepared a Fleet and all things necessary for waging of warre
against the Infidels at lerasalem, taking with him the standerd and
ensignes of the kingdome. This Baldwme eftsoones folowed the king into
Syria and Palestina, as one desirous to be partaker of his trauailes,
paines, and perils in so holy a voyage. Hee was Archbishop of Canterburie
almost sixe yeres: but hauing followed the king into Syria, in the yeere
1190. he died at Tyre, where he was also buried.
* * * * *
An annotation concerning the trauailes of the sayd Baldwirie, taken out of
Giraldus Cambrensis, in his Itinerarium Cambrise, lib, a. Cap. 14. Fol
229.
Inter primos Thomæ Becketi successor hic secundus, audita saluatoris et
salutiferæ Crucis iniuria nostris (proh dolor) diebus per Saladinum
irrogata, cruce signatus, in eiusdem obsequijs, tarn remotis finibus quàm
propinquis, prædicationis officiunm viriliter assumpsit. Et postmodùm iter
accipiens, nauigióque fungens apud Marsiliam, transcurso tandem pelagi
profundo, in portu Tyrensi incolumis applicuit: et inde ad exercitum
nostrum obsidentem pariter et obsessum Aconem transiuit: vbi multos ex
nostris inueniens, et ferè cunctos principum defectu, in summa desolatlone
iam positos, et desperatione, alios quidem longa expectatione fatigatos,
alios fame et inopia grauiter afflictos, quosdam verò aëris, inclementia
distemperatos, diem foelicitèr in terra sacra clausurus extremum, singulos
pro posse vinculo charitatis amplectens, sumptibus et impensis, verbis, et
vitæ mentis confirmauit.
The same in English.
This Baldwine being the second successor vnto Thomas Becket, after he had
heard the wrong which was done to our Sauiour, and the signe of the Crosse
by Saladin the Sultan of Egypt, taking vpon him the Lords Character, he
couragiously perfourmed his office of preaching in the obedience thereof,
as well in farre distant Countreis as at home. And afterwards taking his
iourney and imbarking himselfe at Marseils, hauing at length passed the
Leuant sea, he arriued safely in the Hauen of Tyrus, and from thence went
ouer to Achon vnto our armie, besieging the Towne, and yet (as it were)
besieged it selfe: where finding many of our Countreymen, and almost all
men remaining in wonderfull pensiuenesse and despaire, through the
withdrawing of the Princes, some of them tyred with long expectation,
others grieuously afflicted with hunger and pouertie, and others
distempered with the heate of the weather, being ready happily to ende his
dayes in the Holy land, embracing euery one according to his abilitie in
the bond of loue, he ayded them at his costes and charges, and strengthened
them with his wordes and good examples of life.
* * * * *
A note drawen out of a very ancient booke remaining in the hands of the
right worshipfull M. Thomas Tilney Esquire, touching Sir Frederike Tilney
his ancestor, knighted at Acon in the Holy land for his valour, by K.
Richard the first, as foloweth.
Pertinuit iste liber prius Frederico Tilney de Boston, in comitatu
Lincolniæ militi facto apud Acon in terra Iudeæ anno Regis Richardi primi
tertio. Vir erat iste magnæ staturæ et potens in corpore: qui cum partibus
suis dormit apud Tirrington iuxta villam sui nominis Tilney in Mershland.
Cuius altitudo in salua custodia permanet ibidem vsque in hunc diem. Et
post eius obitum sexdecem militibus eius nominis Tilney hæreditas illa
successiuè obuenit, quorum vnus post alium semper habitabat apud Boston
prædictum; dum fratris senioris hæreditas hæredi generali deuoluta est, quæ
nupta est Iohanni duci Norfolciæ. Eorum miles vltimus fuit Philippus Tilney
nuper de Shelleigh in Comitatu Suffolciæ, pater et genitor Thomæ Tilney de
Hadleigh in Comitatu prædicto Armigeri, cut modò attinet iste liber. Anno
ætatis suæ 64, Anno Domini 1556.
The same in English.
This booke pertained in times past vnto Sir Frederick Tilney of Boston in
the Countie of Lincolne, who was knighted at Acon in the land of Iurie, in
the third yeere of the reigne of king Richard the first. This knight was of
a tall stature, and strong of body, who resteth interred with his
forefathers at Tirrington, neere vnto a towne in Marshland called by his
owne name Tilney. The iust height of this knight is there kept in safe
custody vntill this very day. Also, after this mans decease, the
inheritance of his landes fell successively vnto sixteene sundry knights
called all by the name of Tilney, who dwelt alwayes, one after another, at
the towne of Boston aforesayd, vntill such time as the possessions of the
elder brother fell vnto an heire general, which was maried vnto Iohn duke
of Northfolke. The last knight of that name was sir Philip Tilney late of
Shelleigh in the Countie of Suffolke, predecessor and father vnto Thomas
Tilney of Hadleigh in the Countie aforesayd Esquire, vnto whom the said
booke of late appertained. In the yeere of his age 64 and in the yeere of
our Lord, 1556.
* * * * *
The trauailes of one Richard surnaræd Canonicus.
Richardus Canonicus ad Trinitatis fanum Londini Regularis, ab ipsa
pueritia, bonarum artium literas impense amauit, excoluit, ac didicit. Qui
ex continuo labore atque exercitatione longa, talis tandem euasit orator,
et Poeta, quales ea ætas rarissimos nutriebat. Ob id Richardo Anglorum tunc
Regi charus, longam cum eo peregrinationem in Palæstinam ac Syriam, dum
expugnaret Turcas, suscepit. Vnde in Angliam tum demum reuersus, omnia quæ
presens vidit in vrbibus, agris, ac militum castris, fideli narratione, tam
carmine, quam prosa descripsit. Neque interim omisit eiusdem Regis mores,
et formam, per omnia corporis lineamenta designare, addiditque præclaro suo
open hoc aptissimum pro titulo nomen, scilicet, Itinerarium Regis Richardi.
Claruit anno redemptionis nostne 1200 sub Ioanne Anglorimi Rege.
The same in English.
Richard surnamed Canonicus an obseruant Frier of Trinitie Church in London,
was in great loue with the studies of good Artes, and tooke paines in them
and learned them. And at last by his continuall endeauour and long exercise
therein, he grewe to bee such an Oratour and Poet, as fewe were in that age
liuing, by reason whereof hee grew in fauour with Richard then King of
England, and vndertooke that long voyage with him into Palestina and Syria
against the Turkes. From whence being returned againe into England, hee
faithfully described both in Verse and Prose all such things, as hee had
seene in the Cities, fieldes and tentes of the souldiours, where hee was
present, and omitted not to note the behauiour, forme, and proportion of
body in the foresayd king, giving to his notable worke this most apt name
for the title, The Iournall of King Richard. He flourished in the yeere of
our Redemption 1200. vnder Iohn king of England.
* * * * *
The large contribution to the succour of the Holy land, made by king Iohn
king of England, in the third yeere of his reigne 1201. Matth. Paris and
Holinsh. pag. 164.
At the same time also the Kings of France and England gaue large money
towards the maintenance of the army which at this present went foorth vnder
the leading of the earle of Flanders and other, to warre against the
enemies of the Christian faith at the instance of pope Innocent. There was
furthermore granted vnto them the fortieth part of all the reuenues
belonging vnto ecclesiastical persons, towards the ayd of the Christians
then being in the Holy and: and all such aswel of the nobility, as other of
the weaker sort, which had taken vpon them the crosse, and secretly layed
it downe were compelled eftsoones to receiue it now againe.
* * * * *
The trauailes of Hubert Walter bishop of Sarisburie.
Hubertus Walterus Sarisburiensis Episcopus, vir probus, ingenioque ac
pietate clarus, inter præcipuos vnus eorum erat, qui post Richardum regem
expugnandorum Saracenorum gratia in Syriam proficiscebantur. Cum ex
Palæstina rediens, audiret in Sicilia, quod idem Richardus in inimicorum
manus incidisset, omisso itinere incoepto, ad eum cursim diuertebat: Quem
et ille statim in Angliam misit, vt illic regij Senatus authoritate,
indicto pro eius redemptione tributo pecuniam colligeret quod et industrius
fecit ac regem liberauit. Inde Cantuariorum Archiepiscopus factus, post
eius mortem Ioanni illius fratri ac successori paria fidelitatis officia
præstitit. Longa enim oratione toti Anglorum nationi persuasit, quod vir
prouidus, præstans, fortis, genere nobilissimus, et imperio dignissimus
esset: quo salutatus a populo fuit, atque in regem coronatus. Composuit
quædam opuscula, et ex immenso animi dolore demum obijsse fertur, Anno
salutis humanæ 1205. cum sedisset annos 11. Menses octo, et dies sex. Quum
vidisset ex intestinis odijs, omnia in transmarinis regionibus pessùm ire,
regnante Ioanne.
The same in English.
Hubert Walter bishop of Sarisburie, a vertuous man, and famous for his good
wit and piety, was one of the chiefest of them that followed king Richard
into Syria going against the Saracens. As he returned from Palæstina and
came in his iourney into Sicilia, he there heard of the ill fortune of the
king being fallen into his enemies handes, and thereupon leauing his
iourney homewards, he went presently and in all haste to the place where
the king was captiued, whom the king immediatly vpon his comming sent into
England, that by the authority of the councell, a tribute might be
collected for his redemption: which this Hubert performed with great
diligence, and deliuered the king. After this he was made Archbishop of
Canterburie, and after the death of King Richard he shewed the like dueties
of fidelitie and trust to his brother Iohn that succeeded him. For by a
long oration he perswaded the whole nation of the English men, that he was
a very circumspect man, vertuous, valiant, borne of noble parentage, and
most woorthy of the crowne. Whereupon he was so receiued of all the people
and crowned king. He wrote certaine books, and died at the last with very
great griefe of minde, in the yeere 1205, hauing beene archbishop the space
of 11 yeres 8 moneths and sixe dayes, by reason of the ciuil discords
abroad, whereby all things went topsie turuy, and in the reigne of king
Iohn.
* * * * *
The trauailes of Robert Curson.
Robertus Curson ex nobili quodam Anglorum ortus genere, disciplinis tum
prophanis, tum sacris studiosus incubuit, idque (quantum ex coniecturis
colligo) in celebratissima Oxonij Academia. Præstantissimis illic
institutoribus vsus, ex summa circa ingenuas artes industria, et assiduo
literarum labore, famam sibi inter suos celeberrimam comparauit. Ampliora
deinde meditatus Parisiorum Lutetiam, atque Romam ipsam petijt, illic
Theologus Doctor, hic verò Cardinalis effectus. Vnde vterque Matthæus
Parisius, ac Westmonasterius, hoc de ipso testimonium adferunt: hic libro
2. ille 8. suorum Chronicorum. Anno Domini 1218 (inquiunt) in captione
Damiatæ Ægypti vrbis, sub Ioanne Brenno Hierosolymorum rege, fuit cum
Pelagio Albanensi Magister Robertus de Curson, Anglus, Clericus
celeberrimus, genere nobilis, ac Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalis, etc. Bostonus
Buriensis in sua Catalogo Cursonum aliquos libros composuisse narrat.
Claruit anno superius numerato per prædictos testes in Anglia regnante
Henrico tertio Ioannis regis filio: fuitque hic diebus Honorij tertij
Romani pontificis in Angliam, Bostono teste, legatus.
The same in English.
Robert Curson descended of a noble family of England, vsed great diligence
aswell in prophane as in diuine studies in the famous Vniuersitie of Oxford
(as I coniecture.) He had there the best scholemasters that were to be
gotten, and was most industrious, in the arts and continual exercises of
learning: by meanes whereof he grew to be of great renowne where he liued.
Afterward thinking of greater matters he went to Paris, and thence to Rome
it selfe, and at Paris he proceeded doctor of Diuinity, at Rome he was made
cardinall: whereupon both Matthew Paris and Matthew of Westminster produce
this testimony of him, the one in his second booke, the other in his eight
booke of Chronicles. In the yere of our Lord (say they) 1218, at the taking
of Damiata a city of Egypt vnder Iohn Brenne king of Ierusalem, M. Robert
Curson an English man, a most famous clearke of noble parentage, and
cardinall of the church of Rome, was there with Pelagius Albanensis, &c.
Boston of Burie in Suffolke in his catalogue reporteth, that he wrote
diuers books. He flourished in the yeere aforesayd by the witnesses
aforesayd. Henry the third sonne of king Iohn being then king of England:
and by the further testimony of Boston, this Curson was legate into England
in the dayes of Honorius the third, bishop of Rome.
* * * * *
The voyage of Ranulph earle of Chester, of Saer Quincy earle of Winchester,
William de Albanie earle of Arundel, with diuers other noble men to the
Holy land, in the second yere of King Henry the third. Matth. Paris.
Holensh. pag. 202.
In the yeere 1218, Ranulph earle of Chester was sent into the Holy land by
king Henry the third with a goodly company of souldiers and men of warre,
to ayde the Christians there against the Infidels, which at the same time
had besieged the city of Damiata in Egypt. In which enterprise the valiancy
of the same earle after his comming thither was to his great praise most
apparent There went with him in that iourney Saer de Quincy earle of
Winchester, William de Albanie earle of Arundel, besides diuers barons, as
the lord Robert fitz Walter, Iohn constable of Chester, William de
Harecourt, and Oliuer fitz Roy sonne to the king of England, and diuers
others.
* * * * *
The voyage of Henry Bohun and Saer Quincy to the Holy land.
This yere, being the sixt yere of Henry the third, deceased Henry de Bohun
earle of Hereford, and Saer de Quincy earle of Winchester, in their journey
which they made to the Holy land. Matth. Paris. Holensh. pag. 202. col. 2.
* * * * *
The trauailes of Ranulph Glanuile earle of Chester.
Ranulphus Glanuile Cestriæ Comes, vir nobilissimi generis, et vtroque iure
eruditus, in albo illustrium virorum à me meritò ponendus venit. Ita probè
omnes adolescentiæ suæ annos legibus tum humanis tum diuinis consecrauit,
vt non prius in hominem pet ætatem euaserit, quàm nomen decúsque ab insigni
eruditione sibi comparauerit. Cum profecti essent Francorum Heroes
Ptolemaidem, inito cum Ioanne Brenno Hierosolymorum rege concilio, Damiatam
Ægypti vrbem obsidendam constituebant, anno salutis humanæ 1218. Misit
illùc Henricus rex, ab Honorio 3 Rom. Pontifice rogatus, cum magna
armatorum manu Ranulphum, ad rem Christianum iuuandam. Cuius virtus,
Polydoro teste, in eo bello miris omnium laudibus celebrata fuit. Quo
confecto negotio, Ranulphus in patriam reuersus, scripsit, De legibus
Angliæ librum vnum. Fertur præterea, et alia quædam scripsisse, sed tempus
edax rerum, ea nobis abstulit. Claruit anno à Seruatoris nostri natiuitate
1230 confectus senio, dum Henricus tertius sub Antichristi tyrannide in
Anglia regnaret.
The same in English.
Ranulph Granuile earle of Chester, a man of a very noble house, and learned
in both the Lawes, deserues of deutie to be here placed by me in the
catalogue of woorthy and notable men. He applied so well all the yeeres of
his youth to the study of humane and diuine Lawes, that he came not so
soone to the age of a man, as he had purchased to himselfe by reason of his
singular learning, renowme and honour. When the noble men of France went to
Ptolomais, vpon the counsell of Iohn Brenne king of Ierusalem, they
resolued to besiege Damiata a city of Egypt, in the yeere 1218. And then
Henry the king vpon the motion of Honorius the third, bishop of Rome, sent
thither this earle Ranulph with a great power of armed souldiers, to
further the enterprise of the Christians: whose valure in that warre (by
the testimonie of Polidor Virgil) was marueilously commended of all men.
After the end of which businesse, he being returned into his countrey,
wrote a booke of the lawes of England. It is also reported that he wrote
other books, but time the destroyer of many memorials, hath taken them from
vs. He flourished in the yeere after the natiuity of Christ 1230, being
very aged, and in the reigne of K. Henry the third.
* * * * *
The voyage of Petrus de Rupibus bishop, of Winchester, to Ierusalem in the
yere of grace 1231, and the 15 of Henry the third.
Anno gratis 1231, mense verò Iulio, Petrus Wintoniensis episcopus, completo
in terra sancta iam fere per quinquennium magnifice peregrinationis voto,
reuersus est in Angliam, Kalendis Augusti; et Wintoniam veniens, susceptus
est cum processione solenni in sua ecclesia cathedrali.
The same in English.
In the yere of grace 1231, and in the moneth of Iuly, Peter bishop of
Winchester hauing spent almost fiue whole yeres in fulfilling his vow of
pilgrimage in the Holy land with great pompe, returned into England, about
the Kalends of August, and coming unto Winchester was received with solemne
procession into his cathedrall church.
* * * * *
The honourable and prosperous voyage of Richard earle of Cornewall, brother
to king Henry the third, accompanied with William Longespee earle of
Sarisburie, and many other noble men into Syria.
In the 24 yere of king Henry the third, Richard earle of Cornwall the kings
brother, with a navy of ships sailed into Syria, where in the warres
against the Saracens he greatly advanced the part of the Christians. There
went over with him the earle of Sarisburie, William Longspee, and William
Basset, John Beauchampe, Geoffrey de Lucie, John Neuel, Geoffrey
Beauchampe, Peter de Brense, and William Furniuall.
Simon Montfort earle of Leicester went ouer also the same time; but whereas
the earle of Cornwall tooke the sea at Marseils, the earle of Leicester
passed thorow Italy, and tooke shipping at Brindize in Apulia: and with him
went these persons of name, Thomas de Furniual with his brother Gerard de
Furniuall, Hugh Wake, Almerike de S. Aumond, Wiscard Ledet, Punchard de
Dewin, and William de Dewin that were brethren, Gerald Pesmes, Fouke de
Baugie, and Peter de Chauntenay.
Shortly after also Iohn earle of Albemarle, William Fortis, and Peter de
Mallow a Poictouin, men for their valiancy greatly renowmed, went thither,
leading with them a great number of Christian souldiors, Matth. Paris.
Matth. West Holensh. pag. 225. col. 2.
* * * * *
The voyage of William Longespee [Marginal note:--Or, Longsword.] Earle of
Sarisburie into Asia, in the yeere 1248, and in the 32 yeere of the
reigne of Henry the third, king of England.
Lewis the French king being recovered of his sicknesse which he fell into,
in the yeere 1234, vowed thereupon for a free will sacrifice to God, that
he (if the Councell of his realme would suffer him) would in his owne
person visit the Holy land: which matter was opened and debated in the
Parliament of France held in the yeere 1247. Where at length it was
concluded, that the king according to his vow should take his journey into
Asia, and the time thereof was also prefixed, which should be after the
feast of S. John Baptist the next yeere ensuing.
At which time William Longespee a worthie warrior, with the bishop of
Worcester and certaine other great men in the Realme of England (mooved
with the example of the Frenchmen) prepared themselves likewise to the same
journey.
It fell out in this enterprise, that about the beginning of October, the
French king assaulted and tooke Damiata, being the principall fort or hold
of the Saracens in all Egypt, Anno 1249, and having fortified the Citie
with an able garrison left with the Duke of Burgundies he remooved his
tents from thence to goe Eastward. In whose armie followed William
Longespee, accompanied with a piked number of English warriors retaining
unto him. But such was the disdaine of the Frenchmen against this William
Longespee and the Englishmen that they could not abide them, but flouted
them after an opprobrious maner with English tailes, insomuch that the
French king himselfe had much adoe to keepe peace betweene them.