Chap. 46.
Ierusalem wonne by the Turks, with wofull re∣markables thereat.
BEfore the beginning of the siege,* 1.1 the * sunne, as sympathi∣zing with the Christians woes, was eclipsed. A sad presage of the losse of Jerusalem. For though those within the city vali∣antly defended it for a fortnight, yet they saw it was but the playing out of a desperate game which must be lost: Their foes near, their friends farre off; and those willing to pity, unable to help. Why then should they prolong languishing, where they could not preserve life? Concluding to lavish no more va∣lour, they yielded up the city,* 1.2 on condition all their lives might be redeemed, a man for ten, a woman for five, a child for* 1.3 one besant: and fourteen thousand poor people not able to pay their ransome, were kept in perpetuall bondage. All Latines were cast out of the city; but those of the Greek religion were permitted to stay therein: Onely Saladine to two Frenchmen gave liberty to abide there,* 1.4 and maintenance to live on, in re∣verence to their age: the one Robert of Corbie, a souldier to Godfrey of Bouillon when he wanne this city; the other Fulk Fiole, the first child born in the city after the Christians had conquered it.
Saladine possessed of Jerusalem, turned the churches into sta∣bles, sparing onely that of the Sepulchre for a great summe of money. Solomons Temple he converted to a Mosque, sprin∣kling it all over with rose-water, as if he would wash it from profanenesse, whilest he profaned it with his washing.
Thus Jerusalem, after it had fourscore and eight years been enjoyed by the Christians, by Gods just judgement was taken again by the Turks. What else could be expected? Sinne reign∣ed in every corner; there was scarce* 1.5 one honest woman in the whole city of Jerusalem. Heraclius the Patriarch, with the Clergy, was desperately vitious: and no wonder if iron rust, when gold doth; and if the Laity followed their bad example.
This dolefull news brought into Europe, filled all with sighs and sorrows. Pope Urbane the third (as another Eli at the Arks