Chap. 3.
The Saracens conquered at Askelon.
MAhomets tombe hung not so strong but now it began to shake, and was likely to ••all. These victories of the Chri∣stians gave a deadly wound to that religion. Wherefore the Saracens combined themselves with the Turks to assist them, there being betwixt these two nations, I will not say an unity, but a conspiracy in the same superstition, so that therein they were like a nest of hornets, stirre one and anger all. Wherefore coming out of Egypt under Ammiravissus their Generall, at Askelon they gave the Christians battel. But God sent such a qualm of cowardlinesse over the hearts of these Infidels, that an hundred thousand of them were quickly slain; so that it was ra∣ther an execution then a fight; and their rich tents which seem∣ed to be the exchequer of the East-countrey, spoiled; so that the Pilgrimes knew not how to value the wealth they found in them.
This victory obtained, such Pilgrimes as were disposed to return, add ressed themselves for their countrey; and these mer∣chants for honour went home, having made a gainfull adven∣ture. Those that remained were advanced to Signories in the land; as Tancred was made governour of Galilee. Nor will it be amisse to insert this story: Peter Bishop of Anagnia in Ita∣ly, was purposed here to lead his life without taking care for his charge, when behold S. Magnus patron of that church ap∣peared to him in a vision, pretending himself to be a young man who had left his wife at home, and was come to live in Jerusa∣lem. Fie, said Peter to him, go home again to your wife: Whom God hath joyned together, let no man put asunder. Why then, replied S. Magnus, have you left your church a widow in Italy, and live here so farre from her company? This vision, though calculated for this one Bishop, did generally serve for all the non-residents which posted hither, and who payed not