pounds, both for ransome of Christian captives, and in satisfa∣ction
of the vastations they had committed in Egypt. Lewis for
security of this money, pawned to the Turk the Pyx and Host
(that is, the body of Christ transsubstantiated in the Eucharist)
as his chiefest jewel which he should be most carefull to redeem.
Hence, in perpetuall memory of this conquest, we may see a
Wafer-cake and a box alwayes wrought in the borders of that
tapestry which is brought out of Egypt.
Note by the way, That the Turks were most unreasonable in
their rates of ransoming souldiers, and in all other their pecunia∣ry
demands. For their own countrey being near to the foun∣tain
of gold and silver, they made as if it flowed as plentifully in
other places, measuring the wealth of other lands by their own,
and asking as much for a private mans ransome as would drain a
Princes purse in these Western parts.
Thus was Damiata restored again to the Turks, and the Chri∣stians
punctually performed their promises; though the false
Miscreant on the other side set not half the captives free, killed
all the sick persons whom by promise he should relieve, and
(contrary to the agreement) suffered not any Christian to trans∣port
any of his goods out of Egypt.
Hence Lewis sailed to Ptolemais: where he lived in a misera∣ble
case, being forsaken of his brothers, subjects, friends, and the
Pope himself. His brothers, Alphonse and Charles, though sent
into France to solicite his suit, and to advance his ransome with
speed, yet being arrived forgot the affliction of Joseph; and the
King was as farre from their mind as their sight: Wherefore
God justly visited Alphonse with an incurable disease. His sub∣jects,
though furious at first in bemoning him, yet the fit past,
complained not so much for him as on him; charging him for
ill managing the matters in Egypt by his cowardlinesse and in∣discretion.
His friends the Pisans and Genoans reviled him as
the marrer of their mart, Damiata being formerly their most
gainfull port; but now their hony was spoiled by destroying
their hive: for the Sultan seing the city taken twice of the
Christians in short time, to prevent further dispute about it,
took away the subject of the question, and rased it to the
ground. The Pope forsook him: And though many intreated
his Holinesse not to prosecute the Emperour Frederick any fur∣ther,
from whom Lewis expected all the beams of his comfort,
yet he would hear of no submission from him, but sought fi∣nally
to ruine him. Onely Blanch, King Lewis his mother, was
carefull for her sonne, and laboured his cause day and night. But
alas! her armes were too short to bring all ends together. And
having gathered a considerable summe of money, and shipped
it for Palestine, a tempest in a moment cast that away which