The historie of the holy vvarre by Thomas Fuller ...

Chap. 8.

The taking of the city Ptolemais.

VVHilest King Richard stayed in Cyprus,* 1.1 the siege of Pto∣lemais went on: and though the French King thought with a running pull to bear the city away, yet he found it staked down too fast for all his strength to stirre.

Mean time, the plague and famine raged in the Christians camp; which the last year swept away fifty Princes and Pre∣lates of note: Who, no doubt, went hence to a happy place; though it was before Pope Clement the sixth† 1.2 commanded the angels (who durst not but obey him) presently to convey all their souls into Paradise which should die in their pilgrimage.

This mortality notwithstanding, the siege still continued. And now the Christians and Turks, like two fencers long play∣ing together, were so well acquainted with the blows and guards each of other, that what advantage was taken betwixt them was meerly casuall, never for want of skill, care, or va∣lour on either side. It helped the Christians not a little, that a concealed Christian within the citie, with letters unsubscribed with any name, gave them constant and faithfull intelligence of the remarkable passages amongst the Turks.

No Prince in this siege deserved more then Leopoldus Duke of Austria; who fought so long in assaulting this city, till his ar∣mour was all over gore bloud, save the place covered with his belt.† 1.3 Whereupon he and his successours the Dukes of Austria, renouncing the six Golden larks, their ancient arms, had assigned them by the Emperour a fesse Argent in a field Gules, as the pa∣ternall coat of their family.

By this time King Richard was arrived,* 1.4 (taking as he came a dromond, or Saracen ship, wherein were fifteen hundred soul∣diers, and two hundred and fifty† 1.5 scorpions, which were to be imployed in the poysoning of Christians) and now the siege of Ptolemais more fiercely prosecuted. But all their en∣gines made not so wide a breach in that cities walls, as en∣vie made betwixt the French and English Kings. Yet at last the Turks despairing of succour,* 1.6 their victuals wholly spent, yielded up the city by Saladines consent, on condition to be themselves safely guarded out of it: all Christian prisoners Sa∣ladine had were to be set free, and the Crosse to be again re∣stored.

The houses which were left, with the spoil and prisoners, were equally divided betwixt Philip and Richard. Whereat many Noble-men, partners in the pains, no sharers in the gains,

departed in† 1.7 discontent. Some Turks for fear embraced the Christian faith, but quickly returned to their† 1.8 vomit: as re∣ligion died in fear, never long keepeth colour, but this dayes conver••s will be to morrows apostates. Hereupon it was com∣manded that none hereafter should be baptized against their wills.

Here the English cast down the ensignes of Leopoldus Duke of Austria, which he had advanced in a principall tower in Ptolemais; and as some say, threw them into the jakes. The Duke, though angry at heart, forgot this injury till he could remember it with advantage; and afterwards made King Richard pay soundly for this affront. It is not good to exasperate any, though farre inferiour: for, as the fable telleth us, the beetle may annoy the eagle, and the mouse befriend the lion.

When the city was taken, it grieved the Christians not a little that their faithfull† 1.9 correspondent, who advised them by his letters, could no where be found: Pity it was that Rahabs red lace was not tied at his window. But indeed it was pro∣bable that he was dead before the surrendring of the city. Greater was the grief that the Crosse did no where appear, either carelessely lost, or enviously concealed by the Turks. Whilest the Christians stormed hereat, Saladine required a longer respite for the performance of the conditions. But King Richard would not enlarge him from the strictnesse of what was concluded; conceiving that was in effect to forfeit the victory back again. Besides, he knew he did it onely to gain time to fetch new breath: and if he yielded to him, his boun∣ty had not been thanked, but his fear upbraided, as if he durst not deny him. Yea, in anger King Richard commanded all the Turkish captives which were in his hands,† 1.10 seven thou∣sand in number, to be put to death (except some choice per∣sons) on that day whereon the articles should have been but were not performed. For which fact he suffered much in his re∣pute, branded with rashnesse and cruelty, as the murderer of many Christians: For Saladine in revenge put as many of our captives to death. On the other side the moderation of the French King was much commended, who reserving his prisoners alive, exchanged them to ransome so many Christians.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1191
• † 1.2

  Chemnitius, ex Weselo, Exam. ••onc. Trid. tract. De Indulg.
• † 1.3

  Pantal. De illustribus Germaniae, part. 2. pag. 201.
• * 1.4

  Iune 8.
• † 1.5

  Matth. Paris. in an∣no 1191.
• * 1.6

  Iuly 13.
• † 1.7

  Roger Hove∣den, in Rich. 1. p. 696.
• † 1.8

  Fox, Mar∣tyrol. pag. 245
• † 1.9

  Hoveden, in Rich. 1. pag. 694.
• † 1.10

  P. Aemili∣us, in Philipp•• August••, p. 174. But Matthew Paris saith but 26▪ ••.