Elfinspell: Chapter IV: Richard Cœur De Lion, Belt and Spur, Stories of the Knights of the Middle Ages from the Old Chronicles, by E. L. S. (Emma L. Seeley).

From Belt and Spur, Stories of the Knights of the Middle Ages from the Old Chronicles, by E. L. S. (Emma L. Seeley), New York: Scribner and Welford, 1883; pp. 54-96.

CHAPTER IV.

RICHARD CŒUR DE LION.

(From the Preface: The story of Cœur de Lion’s Crusade is taken from the ‘Itinerary of Richard the First,’ by Geoffrey Vinsauf.)

How Saladin took the Holy City, and how King Richard set out on the Crusade.

Now about the year 1187, it came to pass that the Christians in the land of Syria were, for their evil deeds, given over into the hand of Saladin, who had before made himself Sultan of Egypt and Damascus. He captured Acre, Berytus, and Sidon; and took prisoner Guy, king of Jerusalem, and advanced upon the Holy City itself. It soon fell into his hands, and all who could not ransom themselves were made slaves. But when the tidings of these calamities were brought by the Archbishop of Tyre into Europe, many were moved with compassion, and determined upon vengeance. And first of all Richard, earl of Poitou, assumed the cross; and after him his father, Henry II., king of England, and Philip, king of France, and great numbers of nobles and knights.

But before King Henry could set out on his journey to the Holy Land, he fell sick and died; and Earl Richard returned to England to be crowned 55 king. He was a man tall of stature, with auburn hair, a commanding carriage, and limbs strong and well made for fighting, and long arms that were unequalled in wielding the sword. And he made haste to set his kingdom in order, and to collect material for the war, and passed over into France. He bade his ships sail round Spain and tarry for him at Messina, and with his chosen troops he marched to Vezelai, where he had appointed to meet King Philip.

When the two armies came together, they were so numerous that the hills were covered with the tents and pavilions, and it seemed as if a new city had arisen, bright with gay pennons and standards. There the two kings made a treaty and swore to keep the peace towards one another; and the two armies set forward, and marched by Lyons to the sea in good fellowship and brotherly kindness.

King Philip had hired Genoese ships to carry him and his men to Messina; and he sailed in them, having engaged to tarry at Messina for the coming of King Richard. The English army rested at Marseilles three weeks, and then took ship and sailed between the islands of Sardinia and Corsica, and passed the burning mountains called Vulcano and Strango, and came to the city of Messina, where the ships of King Richard waited for him.

Now the king of the country, whose name was William, had lately died; and he had married King Richard’s sister, but they had no children, and the kingdom had passed to Tancred. But the people of the country, who were commonly called Griffons, 56 being many of them of Saracen blood, made themselves hostile to the men in our ships while they waited for King Richard, calling them dogs, and other evil names, and insulting them often, and even killing some of them as they had opportunity.

When King Richard’s coming was known, all the people ran out to see him, for his fame was spread abroad; and the sea was covered with his galleys, glittering with arms and standards, and the prows of the galleys were painted each with its own sign, while the King himself was seen standing on part of a ship higher and more gaily painted than the rest. And thus, with the pealing of trumpets and clarions, he came to land, and rode amid his own men and a crowd of the wondering people to his hostel.

Of the taking of the City of Messina, and the coming of the Princess Berengaria.

But the disputes between the pilgrims and the natives of the city grew hotter day by day, and when blood was shed in these quarrels, the two kings consulted with the governor of the city how peace should be maintained between them. But while they were in conference, there came messengers in great haste to King Richard, saying that the people had attacked and were slaying his men. Then the King, mounting his horse in haste, rode out to stop the quarrel; but when he reached the place, the Lombards, mad with rage, railed upon him with loud cries. Then he drew his sword and attacked them, 57 and though he had but twenty men with him, they fled before him like sheep before the wolf and ran into their city and shut the gates. Some of them went to King Philip, and prayed him to come to their aid; and there are those who say he avowed himself more ready to help them than to fight for the King of England’s men, to whom he was bound by oath.

Then King Richard, when he saw the gates shut against him, made a fierce assault upon the city, and they defended themselves with stones and darts from the walls, so that many of our men were slain. But the King, observing a postern neglected by the citizens, ordered an attack to be made upon it; and the gate was broken down, and thus the whole army entered the city. Great spoil fell into the hands of the victors, and many of the citizens were slain, but King Richard stopped the slaughter. Then when King Philip saw the standard of the King Richard on the walls of the city, he was moved with envy, and hated Richard in his heart. And he sent to him and bade him take down his standard and raise in its place the standard of France. To this Richard, angered, returned no answer; but his counsellors, fearing a breach between the kings, besought him to yield, and the standards of both the kings were raised on the walls.

King Philip sought also to inflame the mind of Tancred against Richard; but he, fearing the ill-will of so great a man, made peace and an alliance with him, and they met at the city of Fatina, midway between 58 Palermo and Messina, and swore to keep faith with one another

Then, it being now Christmastide, King Richard gave a great feast, and sent out a crier to invite all who would come. And with all respect he sent to the King of France; and he came with a great number of the nobles. The feast was held in the castle of Mategriffon, which the King had constructed to hold the city in awe, and was celebrated with great splendour. The dishes and platters were all of gold and silver, curiously wrought with the chisel and ornamented with precious stones. And when the feast was over, he sent the most beautiful cups to the King of France, bade him choose which he would have; and to the nobles also he gave gifts according to their rank.

When the winter was past, King Philip made ready his ships, and set sail for the Holy Land; but King Richard stayed yet in Sicily. For tidings were brought him that his mother, Queen Eleanor, was coming to him, and with her was the noble daughter of the King of Navarre, whose name was Berengaria. For when Richard was yet Earl of Poitou, he had seen her and loved her, and the King, her father, sent her to him now, that he might marry her before he crossed the sea. So King Richard went out to meet them, and brought them with great joy to Messina.

Then King Richard made ready his ships to follow the King of France, and gave the care of them to Robert de Torneham. And the Princess Berengaria, 59 with his sister, the widowed Queen of Sicily, he put on board a ship called a dromon. These are heavy ships and slow in sailing, but stronger and firmer than the galleys.

Then the great fleet put to sea with a fair breeze, and some rowing, and some sailing, passed out of the port of Messina; the dromons in the rear, and the galleys going slowly that they might keep with them. But our voyage was beset with perils and difficulties; for first the wind dropped so that we could not proceed, and then it rose against us and raged so furiously that the ships would not obey the pilots, but were driven hither and thither through the boiling sea. But while all the others were overcome with fear and distressed with grievous sickness, the King unmoved bade them not despair, and as he had the best sailors on board his ship, he caused them to light a great wax taper, and hoist it in a lantern on the mast, that the other ships might see it and follow him, as a hen gathers her chickens. And when the storm was over we came to Crete, and waited to collect the ships; but there were five-and-twenty that came not, at which the King was greatly moved.

Then, when the wind was favourable, we sailed away; but it rose again, and drove us upon the island of Rhodes, where we tarried certain days, and then went on our way. The royal ship being always first, the King perceived a very large ship called a buss bearing down, returning from Jerusalem, and those in the ship brought him tidings that the King 60 of France was landed at Acre, and with all diligence was directing the siege.

Then King Richard hasted on his journey, but the wind being contrary, he could not make way, and the ship in which the two queens were was the first to reach Cyprus; but they dropped anchor outside the port, and feared to land. For there reigned now in that land a wicked tyrant who had usurped the name of emperor, of whom it was reported that he was in league and alliance with Saladin, and that in sign thereof they had drunk each other’s blood. Then the storm still continuing to rage, three of the King’s ships were broken to pieces on the shore, and many of those on board were drowned, among whom was the King’s signet-bearer. His body being washed on shore, the signet was found and brought afterwards to the army for sale. Those who escaped and swam to shore, as well as all who ventured to land, were seized by the Griffons and stripped of their arms; neither would they allow them to return to their ships. But when the pilgrims saw that their lives were in danger they contrived to meet together in a body to fight their way back to the ships. They had no arms except three bows; but one of them named Roger de Hardecurt found a horse, and rode down all who opposed him, and William du Bois shot arrows upon them unceasingly, and so they advanced towards the shore. And the soldiers on board, seeing their danger, came in haste to their aid, and brought them in safety to the ships.

Of the coming of Richard to Cyprus.

The same day the Emperor came into the city of Limasol, and sought by craft and guile to allure the queens to land, sending them presents of bread and meat and the famed wine of Cyrus. They, fearing to offend him, gave their promise to come to land the next day, and, very solicitous for the safety of the fleet, of which they knew nothing, sat gazing out to sea, taking sad counsel with one another, when, behold! in the distance appeared two black things like crows; and as they came nearer they perceived that they were ships, and behind came another and another, until, to their great joy, King Richard, with all his fleet, appeared in sight

Then, when King Richard had anchored in the port, it was told him some of his ships had been broken, and how his men had been stripped and plundered by the Griffons. Being much angered, therefore, he sent two knights to the Emperor to demand restitution and satisfaction. But he scorned to yield any satisfaction to a king, and answered only with contempt and insult. So the King cried aloud, ‘To arms!’ and, with his men, sprang into the boats and rowed to seize the port. Then the Griffons blocked up the entrance with old galleys, and casks, and piles of old wood, to obstruct their landing; and the Emperor and his army took up their position on the shore. They made a brave show, with costly arms and rich, bright garments, and fine horses and mules, eager for battle. As our men approached they 62 were assailed by slingers and archers from five galleys by the shore. But our men, unmoved, attacked the galleys and took them, and from them poured a shower of arrows on those who held the landing-place. The Griffons gave way a little space, but gaining higher ground, returned the arrows upon our men; and King Richard, seeing that his men durst not leave their boats, sprang himself into the water and ran boldly at the Griffons. His men, encouraged, followed him without delay, and fell with such force on the enemy that they gave way and fled. Then the King, finding a horse, mounted it and rode after the Emperor, crying to him to turn and meet him in single combat; but he turned not, and fled away.

Thus the King took the city of Limasol, and brought the queens to land, and rested until his horses could be brought from the ships. But the Emperor halted within two leagues, and when morning came he returned, and, with his army, took up his stand on a hill overlooking us. And a certain clerk, dismayed at the sight of so great a host, said to King Richard, ‘My lord the King, in good truth it would be wisest to avoid meeting so great a multitude.’ ‘My lord clerk,’ answered the King, ‘keep to your Scriptures, and leave arms to us, and keep out of the crowd.’ Then, with no more than fifty men, perceiving that the enemy hesitated, he rode upon them, and broke their line and dispersed them, and they fled in great dismay He fell also upon the Emperor, and struck him from his horse, but he mounted another, and made haste to escape. And the enemy 63 fled, and were overwhelmed by their pursuers, and the field was heaped with the slain. And the Emperor’s banner was taken, and his tent, with all his silver and gold, and splendid raiment, and a great booty of horses and cattle and choice wine.

Then the King made a proclamation that all who would have peace might come to him in safety, and many forsook the Emperor, so that he fled for safety to a fort called Nicosia.

Of the Marriage of Richard and Berengaria and the Conquest of Cyprus.

Now about this time there came into the port three galleys, bringing King Guy of Jerusalem and his followers; and he had come to ask the help of King Richard against King Philip of France, who wished to depose him and make the Marquis Conrad king in his place. And King Richard received him kindly, and gave him great gifts.

Being now established in safety at Limasol, King Richard celebrated with great splendour his marriage with Berengaria, daughter of the King of Navarre, and there were present at the ceremony the Archbishop and the Bishop of Evreaux, and a great concourse of nobles.

Then the Masters of the Hospitallers of Jerusalem brought about a meeting between the victorious king and the Emperor of Cyprus. The Emperor desired much to have peace, because for his cruelty his people hated him, and he feared to trust them. They met 64 together in a plain near Limasol, and the King rode to the place on a Spanish horse of such beauty that no painter could have designed one more perfect in form. The King was clothed in a garment of rose colour, ornamented with rows of crescents of solid silver, and on his head a scarlet hat with beasts and birds worked in gold upon it. His saddle was of bright colour, spangled with gold, and behind were two golden lions with their mouths open about to attack one another. He wore golden spurs and a sword of proved metal with a golden hilt, and he rode like a noble soldier, so that all who saw him wondered at him.

Thus the King and the Emperor met and made peace, and the Emperor agreed to give up his castles into the hands of the King, and to send with him five hundred knights to fight for Jerusalem; and the King engaged to give back the castles if the Emperor kept faith. Moreover, the Emperor agreed to pay five hundred marks to those whom he had plundered. So they kissed one another and swore peace and friendship, and the King returned to Limasol, and sent to the Emperor the pavilion that he captured in the battle. But a knight named Pain de Caiffa went to the Emperor and falsely told him that King Richard purposed to seize him and throw him in chains. Therefore, moved with fear, he fled by night to his city of Famagusta. Thus the war broke out again, for the King pursued him in his galleys, and his army marched against him, being led by King Guy. The Emperor hid in the woods, and when the 65 King, having landed at Famagusta, marched upon Nicosia, he laid an ambush for him, and attacked him suddenly with seven hundred Greeks, shooting poisoned arrows at the King. Then King Richard, urging his horse, bore down upon him with his spear; but the Emperor fled away, and being mounted on a horse unmatched for speed, escaped. The people of Nicosia opened their gates to the King, and he received them into his favour; but all who fell into the Emperor’s hands were tortured and cruelly mutilated.

King Guy took two of the Emperor’s castles, and the Emperor’s daughter and all his treasure fell into his hands. So when the Emperor knew that his people hated him, and that his forts were taken, and his daughter, whom he loved tenderly, was a captive, he came and fell down at King Richard’s feet and submitted himself to him; only he prayed him that he would not put him in iron chains. And the King, moved with pity, raised him up, and made him sit beside him, and gave him silver chains instead of iron ones, and brought his daughter to him.

Thus King Richard conquered Cyprus in fifteen days, and obtained great spoil of gold, and silver, and precious cloths. And to King Guy he committed the custody of the Emperor, and his little daughter he gave to the Queen that she might bring her up. And having appointed trusty men to transmit to him corn and meat, he took ship and sailed with all his fleet and the two queens for the Holy Land.

And as they came near the land, and were now 66 off Sidon, there appeared in sight a great ship filled with Saracens going to aid their countrymen in Acre. Then the King sent Peter des Barres, captain of one of his galleys, to ask who they were, and they answered that they belonged to the King of France. So the King came near the ship, and it was of great size and strongly made, with three tall masts, and painted with red and yellow lines; but he saw no Christian standard, and he doubted in himself who they were. So he sent others again to ask whence they came, and they answered they were Genoese bound for Tyre. Then the sailors were assured that they were Saracens, and at the King’s command a galley rowed after them quickly; and when the Saracens saw that they did not salute them, they began to throw darts at them. So the King bade attack the ship; but as our men rowed round it, it seemed so high, and strong, and well defended, that they feared to begin. But the King, chiding their cowardice, urged them to the attack, and some of them sprang into the water and bound the rudder with cords to stop the ship, and, climbing up the cables, leapt on board. The Turks met them bravely, cutting off their hands as they clung to the ship and flinging them back into the sea.

The fight lasted long; the Turks were driven back to the prow, but new defenders came from within the ship, and the Christians were forced back into their galleys. Then the King bade them row the galleys against the ship’s side and strike it with their iron beaks, and thus they pierced the ship’s sides and it 67 began to fill. Thirty-five of the Turks, who were men of consequence or of skill in handling machines, the King saved alive, but the rest were killed, or perished in the water.

Of the coming of Richard to Acre, and the taking of the City.

Then the King, after this victory, sailed on till he came in sight of Acre. And there, round the walls, lay the great army of the besiegers, from every Christian land under heaven; and beyond it might be seen, dispersed upon the hills and in the valleys and plains, the brightly coloured tents of the Turkish army. There was the pavilion of Saladin himself, and of his brother Saphadin, and of Kahadin, the mainstay of Paganism. It was the Saturday in the Pentecost week that King Richard landed at Acre, and the earth shook with the exultant shouts of the Christians. The day was kept as a festival, and far into the night was heard the sound of the trumpets and pipes and the songs of the rejoicing soldiers, while the darkness was dispersed by the glare of torches till the Turks thought all the valley was on fire. But the Turks were much cast down and dejected.

But after a few days the King fell sick, and his sickness was so sore that he could not go out to fight, though he busied himself with preparation of machines of war. The King of France then, not willing to wait till King Richard should be recovered, on the Monday after the Feast of Saint John the Baptist bade make 68 a great assault on the city. Then the Turks within made a great clamour and beat platters and timbrels to call upon Saladin to come to their aid. And his men fell upon us and fought so fiercely that the pilgrims were forced to give up the attack on the city to defend themselves; and those in the city threw Greek fire on the machines of the King of France and destroyed them. Then the King Philip fell sick from vexation and confusion.

And when he was recovered, he made new machines, and one there was which he called ‘Bad neighbour.’ And the Turks had one which they called ‘Bad kinsman,’ and which often broke Bad neighbour; but the King built it again, and with it he broke down part of the wall and shook the tower of Maledictum. And the other leaders had also machines which did much harm to the Turks; and there was one petraria called the ‘Petraria of God,’ for a priest stood by it preaching and gathering money to work it. King Richard had two which worked unceasingly; and he constructed others to shoot at great distances, — one called ‘Berefred,’ covered with hides, and so strong that it could not be broken or burnt. From one of his engines he shot into the city a great stone which he had brought from Messina, which killed twelve men with its blow. And besides the engines for throwing stones, the King of France had made one for scaling the walls, which was called the ‘Cat,’ because it crept up the walls and held on to it; and a cercleia, which was a shelter of hides under which he could sit and shoot at the city; but the Turks burnt the cat and 69 the cercleia with Greek fire. King Richard caused himself to be carried in a silken bed and laid under a cercleia that thence he might shoot from his arbalest and encourage his men, and he promised them rewards for every stone they should displace from the wall. And many men fell by his arbalest, and among them a Turk who was dressed in the armour of a Christian whom he had slain.

Then the Turks, finding that their walls were shaken by undermining and by the blows of the machines, and many of their men slain in the assaults, sent two of their leaders to treat, offering to give up the city if they might leave it with all their arms and goods. King Philip gave his assent, but King Richard would not agree, after so long a siege, to win back a deserted city. Then many of the Turks in their fear escaped from the beleaguered city, and coming to the Christians, besought baptism that they might thus escape from destruction.

But Saladin, perceiving that it would be vain to hope that the city could hold out longer, consented that they should make peace on what terms they could. Then the chief men in the city went to the Christian kings and offered to give up the city, and the Holy Cross, and two hundred and fifty captives if they might depart from the city in their shirts only, leaving behind them all their arms and goods and paying for their ransom 200,000 Saracen talents; and to these terms the kings gave consent. So, having given up their noblest men as hostages, and having bound themselves by an oath to deliver the Holy 70 Cross and their captives within a month’s space, they departed out of the city; and our men marvelled much to witness their composed countenances, unsubdued by adversity and the loss of all their goods.

And when the Turks were all departed out of the city, the Christians marched into it with shouts of joy and triumph and songs of praise, and the kings set up their banners on the walls and divided the city between them, — King Philip had the palace of the Templars, and King Richard the royal palace, into which the queens entered with their handmaids.

Of the departure of the King of France and the march of the army.

Then arose great discord between the kings touching King Guy and the Marquis, for King Philip wished to give all to the Marquis. And the quarrel grew hot between them; but by the princes’ mediation, it was agreed that the Marquis should have the government of Tyre and should become king when King Guy should die; and it was further agreed that if the Marquis should die while King Richard were in that land, the crown should be left to him to dispose of as he should see best. Thus peace was made between them. But King Philip determined to return to his own land, saying he was sick; and though his men murmured sore and pleaded with him to remain, he embarked in a galley that he had begged of King Richard, and sailed away on St. Peter’s Day, having sworn to do no harm or damage to the men or lands 71 of the King of England while he was absent in the Holy Land.

King Richard tarried at Acre repairing the walls, and waiting until Saladin should fulfil his covenant and send back the Cross and the captives, but when the time was now passed, and he saw that the unbelievers would not keep to their promises, he commanded that the hostages should be put to death, and that the army should make ready to go to Ascalon. But the Marquis withdrew himself to Tyre, and would no longer stay with the army. And as our army began to move out of the camp they were attacked by the Turks, and the Count of Hungary and King Richard’s Marshal, Hugh of Poitou, were carried away prisoners, though the King fought hard to save them. But the Turks, not being oppressed with heavy armour, rode more swiftly than the Christians could, and, like flies, fled away when the King attacked them, but returned as soon as he stopped.

On the feast of St. Bartholomew the army, having passed out of the city, was drawn up on the sea-shore. The King led the vanguard and the Normans guarded the Standard. It was like the mast of a ship, bound with iron and fixed on four wheels, with the banner of the King floating on the top. The French, led by the Duke of Burgundy, were in the rear. Thus the army marched along the sea-shore, the Turks watching from the heights. And as the Christians came to a narrow way and were in confusion, the Saracens attacked them suddenly and a fierce fight 72 began. One of the Bishop of Salisbury’s men, by name Everard, had his right hand cut off by a Turk, but, without changing countenance, he seized his sword with his left hand and closed with the enemies that were pressing on him. Then King Richard riding to the spot drove off the Turks and made them flee to the mountains.

Now on this march the Christians were sore troubled by a venomous animal called Tarrentes, which by night stung them much, and the place which was stung swelled greatly and was filled with pain. But observing the matter, it was perceived that the Tarrentes feared greatly loud noises, and by beating together their basons and platters and other instruments the pilgrims drove them away.

Thus they marched till they came to Cæsarea, constantly fearing the attacks of the Turks, and suffering much from heat and weariness, so that many fell dead by the way. And each night ere they lay down to rest, one cried aloud in the midst of the camp, ‘Help for the Holy Sepulchre!’ and they all, with many tears, holding up their hands to heaven, cried, ‘Help for the Holy Sepulchre!’

Then the pilgrims, leaving Cæsarea, came to the Dead River and passed on to the Salt River, and the Turks kept near and shot darts and arrows upon them as thick as hail. King Richard was wounded in the side by a dart, and the horses died fast. From the Salt River they came to the forest of Arsur, and by the river there waited for them the army of the Turks innumerable.

Of the Battle of Arsur and the wonderful victory of the Christians.

King Richard marshalled his army, the Templars being in the first rank, the men of Brittany and Anjou next after them, then the men of Poitou, under King Guy, and the Normans and the English with the Standard, and, last of all, a chosen body of Hospitallers. And so closely were they ordered that an apple could not have fallen among them without touching man or horse. King Richard and the Duke of Burgundy, with some chosen men, rode up and down to watch the Turks.

About nine o’clock in the morning a great multitude of Turks, in number about 10,000, came upon the Christians in a furious assault, throwing darts and arrows and shouting horribly. Among them were men very black in colour, and also the Saracens who live in the desert, called Bedouins, very rapid in their movements and carrying bows and arrows and a round shield. Behind them came the squadrons of the Turks with ensigns on their lances. There seemed to be more than 20,000 of them, and they came like lightning, raising a cloud of dust, so that they darkened all the heavens; and they had trumpets and horns, cymbals and gongs, making a horrible, discordant clamour. They came upon us from the side of the sea and from the side of the land, and they seemed to cover all the ground for a distance of two miles.

The pilgrims, hemmed in on all sides, marched on in a compact body, while the Turks assailed them before and behind, repelling their attacks as well as they were able without leaving the body. They suffered greatly from the heat and from the pressure for they were scarce able to breathe; and the Hospitallers, being in the rear, could not return the blows, but marched on bearing the blows of the Turks, which fell on their armour as on an anvil. But the Christians’ courage did not fail, and the Turks cried aloud that ‘they were made of iron.’

At last the Hospitallers were unable to endure patiently any longer, and the Marshal and another knight, named Baldwin de Carreo, broke from the ranks and rode at the enemy crying to St. George for aid. They were followed by all the Hospitallers, so that the rear was soon in the front of the army. Then the Count of Champagne and Jacques d’Avennes, Count Robert of Dreaux and the Bishop of Beauvais, his brother, and many others, charged fiercely upon the Saracens. The Turks gave way before them, and the ground was strewn with the slain. The King, bursting through the Hospitallers, cut out a path for himself among the enemy, mowing them down as a reaper does the corn.

Thus the Turks were overcome and dispersed, and their army turned into a crowd of fugitives, but when our men ceased from the pursuit they gathered together again, and more than 20,000, armed with heavy maces, began the battle again. They were led by a kinsman of Saladin, named Takieddin, 75 a bitter hater of the Christians, and he had with him more than 700 chosen men of valour of the body-guard of Saladin, bearing yellow banners. They fell upon a body of the Christians before they had fallen into their ranks round the Standard, and overwhelming them with their numbers grievously distressed them. But a brave knight, named William des Barres, with his men, attacked the Turks, and King Richard seeing their dangerous position mounted a bay Cyprian horse and rode into their midst and drove all before him.

The enemy fled away, and the Christians, gathering round the Standard, marched forward till they came to Arsur. There they pitched their tents, but ere the camp was formed a large body of Turks fell upon the rearguard. But King Richard, hearing the cry of his men, ran hastily to the place with only fifteen of his followers, crying in a mighty voice, ‘O God, help us and the Holy Sepulchre!’ At which his men hasted to follow him, and drove away the Turks, pursuing them to the walls of Arsur and cutting down many as they fled. And of those who fell on that day there were found on the field of battle the bodies of thirty-two Turks, whom, from the splendour of their armour, the Christians thought to be mighty chiefs, besides many lesser captains. Of the Christians fell but few, but there died there the great captain Jacques d’Avennes, who, having fallen from his horse, was surrounded by the Turks and overcome. And the Christians, mourning greatly for his fall, sent a company of Hospitallers and 76 Templars the next day to seek for his body, and they found it covered with wounds, and around lay the bodies of fifteen Turks, whom he had slain ere he died. Then they bore him back to Arsur, and buried him there with great weeping, and wailing, and lamentation.

The great battle of Arsur spread dismay in the hearts of the Turks, and the name of Melech Ric was feared throughout the land. Then Saladin gave command to pull down the walls of the fortresses, lest King Richard should take them and make himself strong in them. And when the Christians were come to the city of Joppa, lo! the city was destroyed, that they could find no lodging there, and they encamped in an olive-garden without the town, and refreshed themselves with the figs and grapes and pomegranates and citrons that grew in the land.

How William de Pratelles gave himself up for the King, and of the deeds of the Earl of Leicester.

Then tidings came that the Turks were pulling down the walls of Ascalon, and King Richard counselled to march at once thither and save it. But the French wished rather to rebuild Joppa, and their counsel prevailed. But while they tarried there the Christians gave themselves to sloth and ease.

About this time it happened that King Richard, having ridden to take his pastime in hawking, and having with him but few of his men, being wearied with his sport, lay down and fell asleep. And while 77 he slept there came suddenly upon him a company, hoping to make him prisoner. The King awakened by the noise threw himself on his horse, and his attendants following him, drove off the assailants, but they in fleeing drew him to spot where lay other Turks hidden. The King being surrounded by them fought bravely and defended himself well, but there were so many of them that he would have fallen into their hands, had not one of his knights, named William de Pratelles, cried out that he was the Melech, and the Turks hearing his words seized him and carried him away prisoner. Thus the King had time to escape, and when he came to the town he found his soldiers coming out to his help, for they had heard of his danger. Then he returned and pursued the Turks, hoping to set free William de Pratelles, but they were got away. Then the soldiers prayed the King not to endanger his life any more. Nevertheless he was ever the first to attack and the last to retreat.

Then the King, with a part of the army, went to rebuild the forts of Plans and Maen, which the Turks had destroyed. And it fell out one day that they had gone out to gather fodder for their horses, and while the esquires were busy gathering it, the Templars kept guard over them. Then there fell suddenly upon them a company of 4000 horsemen, which when they saw they dismounted, and standing back to back defended themselves as well as they could. And when three of them were fallen, there came to their aid Andrew de Chamgui and fifteen knights; but the Turks continued to attack them. Then the 78 King, hearing the noise, sent to their help the Count de Saint Paul and the Earl of Leicester, and seizing his arms followed them. Then the Earl of Leicester came and saved two whom they had taken prisoners, and distinguished himself by his bravery. But when the King reached the place, the battle was still raging, for the enemy was so many in number; and some of his men, seeing the strength of the enemy, counselled him to save himself, and not attempt to rescue his men. But the King, growing red with anger, answered, ‘What! Shall I send my men on to fight, promising to come and help them, and then leave them in the battle? I should not be worthy of the name of a king.’ And without another word he spurred his horse and fell with such force into the thickest ranks of the Turks, that he broke their array and rode through them, cutting down on all sides, and returning dispersed them all; and, among many others, a great admiral, named Aralchais, fell by his hand. And the whole company fled, and the Christians returned with some prisoners to the camp.

When the castles were now about to be finished, King Richard sent ambassadors to Saladin to demand that the land of Syria should be given up, and that the kingdom of Babylon should pay tribute. Saladin, being crafty, would not refuse the King’s demand, but deluded him with promises, and sent his brother Saphadin to him with rich gifts. And there arose a murmuring among the Christians that King Richard was friendly with the Gentiles. But when the King saw that the promises of Saphadin were vain, he 79 would no longer listen to him, but fought more bravely than before to wipe out the reproaches that were brought against him.

The Earl of Leicester, attacking a large company of Turks with but few men, made them flee before him; but three of his knights, pursuing them with too great boldness, were taken prisoners, which when the Earl perceived, he rode to their aid. He had driven them over a river, when 500 fresh Turks came up and surrounded him. Many of his knights were wounded, and he himself was thrown off his horse and nearly drowned in the river. But two of his knights succoured him; and one of them, named Robert of Newbury, gave him his own horse. Though they fought as long as they could, the numbers were so great that they could defend themselves no longer; but holding by the necks of their horses, and bearing silently the rain of blows, were led away prisoners. But aid was near. Andrew de Chamgui and other knights came against the Turks. The Earl fought fiercely. Two of his horses were killed under him. Never did so small a man perform such great deeds; and at last victory stayed with him.

Of the rebuilding of Ascalon, and the discord among the Christians.

The castle being now repaired, the army of the Christians was commanded to leave the plains and to march to the foot of the mountains, that they might 80 be ready to go up to Jerusalem. And Saladin, being aware of it, went himself to Jerusalem, giving command to his army to occupy the mountains; and there fell upon the Christians a storm of rain and hail, which blew down the tents and did great damage to the food, spoiling the biscuits and bacon. Many of the horses also were drowned in the flood, and the armour and the coats-of-mail became so rusty that it needed much labour to make them bright again. Many, also, of the pilgrims fell sick. But so great was their joy at the hope of seeing Jerusalem, that they bore their sufferings with cheerfulness, and eagerly desired to continue the march. Neither would the sick be left behind, but caused themselves to be born in litters; and some of them fell into the enemies’ hands, and were martyred without mercy.

But the Templars and Hospitallers, and the wise men, prayed King Richard not to march yet to Jerusalem, for they feared that the siege would be long, and the army in the mountains would do them hurt. Neither if the city were captured had they men with whom to garrison it, for all longed sore to return home. They counselled rather to defer the siege of Jerusalem until the walls of Ascalon should be rebuilt. And when it was known that their counsel had prevailed, the pilgrims grieved sore, and cried out curses on those evil counsellors; and it seemed now impossible to bear the sufferings from the rain and want of food, which a little before had seemed so light. Many of them left the army, especially of the French, going to Acre or Joppa, or joining the Marquis at Tyre.

But King Richard, with his nephew the Count Henry of Champagne, and the rest of the army, marched in great suffering and distress to Ascalon; and Saladin, hearing that the Christians had returned to the sea-shore, sent his army to their homes. And the King, by entreaties and persuasion, drew back those who had forsaken it; and they began to rebuild the city of Ascalon. All worked together, side by side; princes and nobles carried the stones, and clerks and laymen, knights and retainers, built together. The King himself was active in the work, building with his own hands, and encouraging his men, and giving money to those who were in need.

At that time the King, going one day to reconnoiter the fort of Darum, came suddenly upon a body of Turks who were taking Christian captives for sale. And when they saw the King’s banner they fled in dismay, and got them safe into the fort, leaving the captives without; and the King came and set them free. There were twelve thousand men who were thus saved by the King from slavery.

But the discord waxed strong in the Christian camp; and the Duke of Burgundy went away and came to Acre. And he found the city in disorder, for the party of King Guy was fighting with the party of the Marquis. Then the Marquis sailed in his galley to Acre, hoping to take possession of the city, but his adversaries sent and prayed to King Richard to come to their aid. The Marquis in haste returned to Tyre, and King Richard quieted and appeased the people. And when he could not 82 prevail upon the Marquis to be at peace with him, and help in the war with Saladin, he took counsel with the leaders of the army, and adjudged him to have lost all right to his kingdom. But the French joined with the Marquis, and seven hundred soldiers left the camp at Ascalon and marched away from the camp.

While the King tarried at Acre, there came to him the son of Saphadin, that the King might make him a knight; and on Palm Sunday, with great magnificence, the King girded him with the belt of knighthood.

Then the King, having celebrated the feast of Easter at Ascalon with great feasting and rejoicing, the city being rebuilt, went out to reconnoitre Gaza. But Saladin assembled his army and prepared for war; and he was greatly encouraged because of the departure of the French, and trusted soon to recover Acre and Tyre.

How the Marquis Conrad was chosen King, and how he was slain by two young men.

But before the war was begun again there landed in the country the Prior of Hereford, and he came with evil tidings to King Richard. For Earl John, the King’s brother, had driven out of England the King’s Chancellor, and the others whom the King had appointed to govern in his absence, and had seized the King’s revenues, and made the nobles swear allegiance to him. Then the King assembling 83 the leaders of the army told them of the tidings, and that he must return to his own land, but would leave three hundred knights and two thousand foot-soldiers, to fight at his cost. And they prayed him, before he left the country, to appoint a new king, that they might be no longer divided, but should follow one leader; and they entreated on their bended knee that the Marquis might be made king, for that he could better defend the kingdom than another. And the King listened to their request, though the Marquis was his enemy, and indeed a traitor, for at that time he was secretly plotting to make peace with Saladin, as it was fully known afterwards.

And the chief men in the army went to Tyre to bring the Marquis with honour, and he was filled with joy at his election, and made great preparation to celebrate his coronation worthily. But it fell out that as he was returning from a feast, merry and cheerful, there ran upon him suddenly two young men, assassins, with knives in their hands, and stabbed him to the heart. And one of them before he was put to death, being questioned, confessed that he had been sent by the Old Man of Musse to assassinate the Marquis, whom he judged worthy of death. For the Old Man brought up in his palace many noble boys, and taught them many things, that when they were grown up he might send them whither he would, that they might do his will. And when he would that a great man should die he gave them a poniard, sharp and long, and bade them go murder him for remission of their sins.

Thus the Marquis died, before he was crowned king, amid great lamentation, having given command to his wife not to give up the city of Tyre to anyone but King Richard. But there came to Tyre at that time Count Henry of Champagne, nephew of King Richard, who was one of those whom he had sent to fetch the Marquis, and when the people saw him they cried out that he should be their king; and when they entreated him, he replied that he would do nothing without the consent of King Richard. Then messengers were sent to apprise the King of these things: how the Marquis was slain, and how the people had chosen Count Henry king. And when the King heard of the death of the Marquis, he was silent a long time, being astonished at his sudden and violent end, but the election of Count Henry pleased him much. So Count Henry was made king, and married the widow of the Marquis, who was the heiress of the kingdom, and having taken possession of his forts and castles, made haste to come to the aid of King Richard in the war. But when King Richard remembered King Guy, he had compassion on him, and he made him ruler of Cyprus.

Now while the King Richard still tarried, waiting for the King Henry, he rode out one day to attack the Turks, and he killed many with his own hand and took many captive. And it happened one day, as he was riding along the road, there came out a wild boar and stood in his way. He was of immense size, and terrible to behold, and he was foaming at the mouth 85 with rage. His bristles stood up, and he seemed about to attack. Then the King attacked him with his spear, and drove it into his side, but it broke with his weight, and, mad with rage, he rushed at the King. The King had not time to get out of his way, so he spurred his horse and leaped clear over him; only the trappings of the horse were torn by the boar’s tusks, and as he leapt he struck the boar on the head and stunned it, and then, wheeling round quickly, put it to death.

How King Richard captured Darum and prepared to go up to Jerusalem.

Then there came again messengers to the King from England, and some prayed him much to stay and accomplish his pilgrimage which he had vowed, and some besought him to return home. And while he doubted in his mind whether to tarry or to return, King Henry and the French prepared to march from Acre to besiege the fort of Darum. Then King Richard, leaving men to guard Ascalon, hastened with his own soldiers to Durum; and when the Turks saw such a small company they scorned them, and challenged them to come and fight with them. But the engines, having arrived in the ship, were disjointed, and the King and his nobles carried them on their own shoulders from the shore, and, putting them together, set men to work them, and one of them the King managed himself, and by his command they threw stones at the city day and night. 86

Now Darum was very strongly built, with seventeen towers, one of which was stronger and higher than the others; and while the engines cast stones at the walls the king caused a mine to be made under the towers, and the slingers shot so well that none dared show themselves on the walls to do injury to the Christians. Then a tower fell down with a horrible noise, and the Christians rushed into the fort, slaughtering all the Turks who fell into their hands. Those who escaped fled for safety into the principal tower. Then the Christians set up their standards on the wall and threw down the banners of the Turks. But those who had fled to the tower, seeing that there was no succour them, came out and gave themselves up to King Richard; and thus the fort of Darum was taken in four days, before the French could get to the place. And when King Henry was come King Richard gave it to him as the first-fruits of his kingdom.

And there came again a messenger from England named John de Alençon, and told the King how his brother Earl John was disturbing all the land of England. But the leaders of the Christian army — French, Norman, English, Poitevin, and Angevin — met together and bound themselves to go up to Jerusalem. And the King was much disturbed, and could not rest for care and anxiety; but while he doubted in his mind what to do a chaplain from Poitou, by name William, came to him as he sat in his tent troubled and perplexed, and prayed him with tears to remember all the great things he had 87 done, and not now to sully his great name by forsaking the army at this time. And the King listened to him, and caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp that he would not leave the Holy Land before Easter. And the soldiers rejoiced greatly, and, with great gladness, prepared to march up to Jerusalem.

And they came to Hebron, and were beset by swarms of little insects like sparks of fire, which troubled them much; for their sting was venomous, and the faces and hands of the pilgrims were swollen and so discoloured that they looked like lepers, and they were forced to cover themselves with veils, and in another place two men were bitten by serpents and died. But the men were full of courage, and counted their troubles but light, so that they might go up to Jerusalem, and the rich helped the poor, and gave them horses to ride on.

And they came to Betenoble, and tarried there for King Henry, who had gone to assemble the slothful who stayed behind at Acre. And while they dwelt there King Richard rode out to seek some Turks who were lying in ambush in the mountains, and he found them at the fountain of Emmaus, and put them to flight, killing twenty of them, and capturing the herald of Saladin and some horses, and camels, and mules. And as he was pursuing them he looked up, and beheld the city of Jerusalem.

But while the King was gone out of the camp there came down upon the French tents a company of two hundred Turks; and when the French, with 88 the Templars and the Hospitallers, went out to fight them, they would not fight on the plain, but rode up into the mountain. And the Christians pursued them, and one Robert de Bruges, an Hospitaller, rode into the ranks of the Turks all alone and ran his lance through the body of a Turk that it came out at his back. But he transgressed the rule of his Order. Then the battle went on, and the French, wearied, began to give way, but the Count of Perche and the Bishop of Salisbury came quickly to their aid.

And there came from Joppa a caravan with provisions for the army under the care of Ferric of Vienna, and Baldwin de Carron, and Clarenbald de Mont Chablon; but on its way the people dispersed, and some of them tarried behind. Then there came upon them, not far from Ramleh, a company of Turkish horse, and a fierce fight began. Baldwin de Carron fought bravely and his companions. He was twice thrown from his horse, and mounted again; but Clarenbald forsook him and fled, and some of his men were slain. Then a third time he was brought to the ground and beaten with clubs till the blood flowed fast, and his sword was blunted and broken, and a knight who came to his aid was thrown down and mangled; and they would all have perished had not the Earl of Leicester come with great speed to their aid. And thus the Turks were driven off, and the wounded carried to the camp.

Then the people cried out to be led to Jerusalem, but King Richard and the leaders took counsel together, 89 fearing the hazard was too great. And twenty men were chosen — French and Syrians, and Templars and Hospitallers; and the matter was laid before them. And tidings were brought to the King that there were caravans with great riches from Babylon. And King Richard, with a thousand men, and the Duke of Burgundy, with five hundred soldiers well armed, set out by night, and, marching by the light of the moon, came to the place. But Saladin was told by a spy of the King’s setting forth, and sent two thousand horsemen, with some foot-soldiers, to defend the caravan. Then the King, being led by his spies, came in sight at dawn of day, but they made haste to escape. So he fell upon them in two companies, and they could not stand before him, but fled before him like hares before the hounds, and left the caravan in their hands. And the King, mounted on a tall horse, riding fast, pursued them far over the mountains; but some of them, turning aside, returned by another way and attacked our men, and thus the battle began again; but the Turks were slain in great numbers, and the ground was strewn with the dead. And when the battle was over the soldiers had great trouble in gathering together the camels and dromedaries, for they fled with great speed before the horses; but at last about four thousand seven hundred camels were taken, and mules and asses without number, besides a quantity of gold and silver, rich spices, silk cloths, and costly garments, with coats-of-mail, and arms and weapons, and a great store of tents and provisions of all kinds. Then they returned 90 with their spoil to the camp, and King Richard, imitating the great King David, gave an equal share to the soldiers who had stayed in the camp. Thus they were provided with great store of beasts of burden; but some of the young camels they killed, and roasting the flesh with lard, found it white meat and pleasant eating.

And the twenty counsellors dissuaded the King from going up to the siege of Jerusalem, for they said the summer was come, and there was great scarcity of water, for the Turks had blocked up the cisterns. But the people were filled with anger, and the French separated themselves from the army, and insulted King Richard, and the Duke of Burgundy wrote a scoffing song upon him. And thus disputing and quarrelling, the camp was broken up, and they returned to Joppa. Then King Richard destroyed the fort of Darum and strengthened the walls of Ascalon. And the army returned to Acre.

How Saladin came against Joppa, and of the admirable deeds of King Richard.

But Saladin, filled with joy at the departure of the King and his army, assembled all whom he could gather together, and he had twenty thousand horse-soldiers, and foot-soldiers innumerable. And they came down like locusts and assaulted the town of Joppa. And the assault was so fierce that one of the gates was broken open, and the Turks entered the town, but the Christians fled into the fortress. And after they had defended the tower for a whole day the 91 patriarch prayed Saladin to grant them a respite until the next day, and that then, if they did not receive assistance, they would give up the tower and pay a ransom for their lives. And to this he agreed, and took the patriarch and other chief men and bound them in chains as hostages.

But the people of Joppa had sent to King Richard for help, and when he heard of their danger he came with all the speed he could by ship to Joppa, but a contrary wind delayed him. Then the people, despairing of help, began to come out of the town, but as they came out and paid the money the Turks cut off their heads. Thus seven of them had died when the King’s ships came sailing into the harbor.

Then the Turks came to the water and covered all the shore, and prepared to hinder the King from landing. But when the King perceived that he was yet in time to save the lives of some, he sprang into the water, and, with his men after him, gained the land, driving the enemy with shots from an arbalest, and then, drawing his sword, he cleared a path for himself, and forced a way into the city, which he entered first, and found three thousand Turks spoiling the tower. Then the Christians in the tower, when they saw the King, issued forth, and the town was filled with the dead bodies of the Turks. And Saladin, when he heard of the King’s coming, left off to besiege the place, and the King began to repair the walls.

But in the Turkish army some evil men, called Menelones and Cordivi, being filled with shame that so small an army, without horses, should have put them 92 to flight, and driven them forth from Joppa, made an agreement together that they would seize King Richard in his tent and bring him prisoner to Saladin. Therefore they armed themselves, and stealing forth by night came by the light of the moon to the camp while all lay asleep. Then the Cordivi said to the Menelones, ‘Go in to the camp on foot, and take the King, while we remain here on horseback to hinder his escape.’ But the Menelones answered, ‘Nay, we are of higher rank than you, neither will we serve on foot; go ye in on foot and we will tarry here.’ Thus they tarried disputing until the dawn of day appeared, and a certain Genoese coming out of the camp early in the morning perceived the enemy and cried aloud, ‘To arms! to arms!’ The King, awakening, put on his coat of mail in haste and summoned his men, and they, catching up what armour and clothes they could, ran together. There were but ten knights besides the King, and some of their horses were unused to arms, but the King ordered the rest of the army skilfully, and the soldiers prepared to meet the fierce attack of the assailing Turks by kneeling with the right knee on the ground, covering themselves with their shields while their lances grasped in their hands rested with one end on the ground, and pointed their iron heads at the enemy. And between every two of these armed men the King placed an arbalester to annoy the enemy, and behind him waited another to load his arbalest. Thus the King ordered all as the short time allowed, and encouraged his men.

Then the enemy fell upon them in seven companies, 93 each having about one thousand horsemen. But they could not break through, for the Christians remained unmoved, and their lances were a wall unto them. And as the Turks fell back from the attack the cross-bowmen shot upon them, killing many of them. But many times the Turks rode against them like a whirlwind, and were forced to turn aside. Then the King, perceiving this, rode upon them with his knights, and broke through them, overthrowing them right and left, and not drawing rein till they had ridden quite through the Turkish army. The Earl of Leicester was flung from his horse, but the King came to his rescue, and helped him to remount. Sir Ralph de Mauleon was also seized and made prisoner, but the King spurred his horse and came upon the Turks who had hold of him, and forced them to yield him up. Where the fight was fiercest there rode the King, and the Turks fell beneath his flashing sword.

In the hottest of the battle there rode to the King a Turk, bringing with him two noble horses as a gift from the great Saphadin, Saladin’s brother, for he knew that the King had sore need of horses, and he was a worthy foe.

Then the galley-men, fearing for their lives, left the battle, and took refuge in their boats, and the Turks thought to seize the town while the army was fighting in the field. But the King, taking with him but two knights and two cross-bowmen, entered the town, and dispersed the Turks who had entered, and set sentinels to guard it, and then, hasting to the galleys, gathered together the men, and, encouraging 94 them with his words, brought them back to the fight. And as he led them to the field he fell upon the enemy so fiercely that he cut his way all alone into the midst of the ranks, and they gave way before them. But they closed around him, and he was left alone, and at that sight our men feared greatly. But alone, in the midst of his enemies, he remained unmoved, and all as they approached him were cut down like corn before the sickle. And there rode against him a great admiral, distinguished above the rest by his rich caparisons, and with bold arrogance essayed to attack him, but the King, with one blow of his sword, cut off his head, and shoulder, and right arm. Then the Turks fled in terror at the sight, and the King returned to his men, and lo! the King was stuck all over with javelins like the spines of a hedgehog, and the trappings of his horse with arrows. The battle lasted that day from the rising to the setting sun, but the Turks returned to Saladin, and he mocked his men, and asked them where was Melech Ric, whom they had promised to bring him. But one of them answered, ‘There is no knight on earth like Melech Ric, nay, nor ever was, from the beginning of the world.’

How the King fell sick, and how he made peace with Saladin for three years, and set forth to return into his own land.

But after the battle the King fell sick, and desired to go to Acre to be cured of his sickness, and he 95 prayed the French, and the Templars, and the Hospitallers to defend Ascalon and Joppa, but they all forsook him, and would give him no aid. Then the King, despairing of recovery, sought to negotiate a truce with Saladin. And he prayed Saphadin to mediate between them. And Saphadin, who honoured the King greatly, wrought with zeal on his behalf, and peace was made between them. And these were the terms of the peace: that Ascalon should be destroyed and not rebuilt for three years, and that the Christians should have Joppa and should go up to Jerusalem to the Holy Sepulchre without let or hindrance. And this peace should last for three years, until Richard, having returned to his own land, should have gathered a new army, and should come again to conquer the Holy Land. Then the King, remembering how the French had forsaken him, prayed Saladin not to give leave to any to visit the Holy Sepulchre except they came with letters from himself or Count Henry. Then the French, much disturbed in mind, returned to their own country, but as soon as they were departed King Richard caused it to be proclaimed that whoever wished might go up to the Sepulchre of our Lord.

Then the people made ready and went up in three companies to Jerusalem. And the first company was led by Andrew de Chamgui, and the second by Ralph Teissun, and the third by Hubert Walter, Bishop of Salisbury, and Saladin received the bishop with great honour, and bade him to make request for what he would and he would grant it. And he prayed for leave to 96 place two Latin priests in Jerusalem, two at Bethlehem, and two at Nazareth, and the Sultan gave consent.

Then the pilgrims returned to Acre, and, taking ship, set sail for their own lands. But many perished by sickness or by shipwreck, and never returned to their homes.

Then the King prepared his ship, but before he departed he redeemed from captivity the brave William de Pratelles, who had given himself up for the King, and he gave in exchange for him ten noble Turks. And as the King departed the people lamented aloud, and blessed and praised the King, crying, ‘Who will now defend thee, O Jerusalem, when King Richard is departed?’ And all night the ship sailed by the light of the stars; and as morning dawned the King looked back towards the land and prayed aloud, saying, ‘O Holy Land, I commend thee to God, and if in His mercy He grant me life, I hope to come yet again, and in His good pleasure to succour thee.’ So spake he, not knowing the troubles and sorrows that awaited him.