The historie of the holy vvarre; by Thomas Fuller, B.D. prebendarie of Sarum, late of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge

Chap. 1. Conrade of Montferrat valiantly defendeth Tyre, and is chosen King.

IN this wofull estate stood the Christian af∣fairs in the Holy land, when Conrade Mar∣quesse of Montferrat arrived there. His worth commandeth my penne to wait on him from his own countrey till he came hither. Sonne he was to Boniface Marquesse of Montferrat, and had spent his youth in the service of I∣saacius Angelus the Grecian Emperour. This Isaacius, fitter for a Priest then a Prince, was alwayes bred in a private way; and the confining of his body feemeth to have brought him to a pent and narrow soul. For he suffered rebells to affront him to his face, never fending any army against them, but commend∣ing all his cause to a company of bare-footed Friars whom he kept in his Court, desiring them to pray for him, and by their pious tears to quench the combustions in the Empire. But our Conrade plainly told him, he must use as well the weapons of the left hand as of the right; meaning the sword as well as prayers: And by the advice of this his Generall, he quickly sub∣dued all his enemies. Which his great service found small re∣ward: onely he was graced to wear his shoes of the Imperiall fashion; a low matter, but there (forsooth) accounted an high honour. But soon after Isaac was sick of this Physician who had cured his Empire. If private debters care not for the company of their creditours, much lesse do Princes love to see them to whom they ow themselves and their kingdome: so unwelcome are courtesies to them when above their requitall. Now it is an

ancient policie, to rid away high spirits by sending them on some plausible errand into remote parts, there to seek for them∣selves an honourable grave. To this end Isaacius by the per∣swasions of some spurred on Conrade (free enough of himself to any noble action) to go into Palestine, there to support the ruinous affairs of the Christians. Conrade was sensible of their plot, but suffered himself to be wrought on, being weary of the Grecians basenesse; and came into the Holy land with a brave company of Gentlemen furnished on their own cost.

For a while we set him aside, and return to Saladine: Who by this time had taken Askelon, on condition that King Guy, and Gerard master of the Templars should be set at liberty. Nor long after was the castle of Antioch betrayed unto him by the Patriarch; and the citie, scarce got with eleven moneths siege, was lost in an instant, with five and twenty strong towns more which attended the fortune of Antioch: and many provinces thereto belonging came into the possession of the Turks. Must not the Christians needs be bankrupts if they continue this trade, buying deare and selling cheap, gaining by inches and lo∣sing by ells?

With better successe those in Tripoli (which citie the wife of Earl Reimund after his death delivered to the Christians) de∣fended themselves against Saladine. For shame they would not forgo their shirts, though they had parted with their clothes. Stark-naked from shelter had the Christians been left, if strip∣ped out of Tripoli and Tyre. Manfully therefore they defend∣ed themselves; and Saladine having tasted of their valour in Tripoli, had no mind to mend his draught, but marched away to Tyre.

But Conrade of Montferrat, who was in Tyre with his ar∣my, so used the matter, that Saladine was fain to flie, and leave his tents behind him, which were lined with much treasure: And the Christians had that happinesse to squeeze that sponge which formerly was filled with their spoil. They in Tyre in token of gratitude chose this Conrade King of Jerusalem; swearing themselves his subjects who had kept them from be∣ing the Turks slaves. To strengthen his title, he married Eli∣sa or Isabella (Authours christen her with either name) former∣ly espoused to Humfred of Thoron, sister to Baldwine the fourth, daughter to Almerick King of Jerusalem.

By this time King Guy was delivered out of prison, having sworn never more to bear arms against Saladine: which oath by the Clergie was adjudged void, because forced from him when he was detained in prison unjustly against promise. The worst was, now he had gained his liberty he could not get his King∣dome. Coming to Tyre, they shut the gates against him, own∣ing

no King but Conrade. Thus to have two kings together, is the way to have neither king nor kingdome.

But Guy following the affront as well as he might, and pie∣cing up a cloth of remnants with his broken army, besieged Ptolemais. The Pisanes, Venetians, and Florentines, with their sea-succours came to assist him. But this siege was Church-work, and therefore went on slowly; we may easier perceive it to have moved then to move, especially if we return hither a twelve-moneth hence.

Notes

• Anno Dom. 1187
• Nicetas, in Isaacio An∣gelo, lib. 1. §. 7.
• Nicetas, in Isaacio An∣gelo, lib. 2. §. 1. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Sabell. Enn. 9. lib. 5. pag. 377.
• Hoveden.
• Besoldus, ex Ritio De reg. pag. 293.
• 1188
• Aug.