The History of the Holy War, Book 2 · Chapter 29 – Chapter 34
Chap. 29. Damascus besieged in vain; The return of the Emperour and King; with the censure on this voyage.
THe late-come Pilgrimes having sufficiently recreated themselves, the Emperour and the King of France concluded to besiege Damascus: for a small town was conceived too narrow an object of their valour, whilest so eminent an action was adequate to the undertakers. Damascus is so pleasant a citie, that Mahomet durst never enter into it, lest this deceiver should be deceived himself, and be so ravished with the pleasures of the place, that he should forget to go on in that great work he had in hand. Some make Eliezer Abrahams steward builder of this citie, because he is called Eliezer of Damascus; though that phrase speaketh him rather to have had his birth or dwelling there, then the citie her building from him. To passe this by, because as the foundations are hidden in the ground, so the founders of most ancient places are forgotten. It was for many yeares after the Metropolis of Syria,1148 and was now straitly besieged by the Christians with great hope of successe, had they not afterwards fallen out amongst themselves who should eat the chickens before they were hatched. Conrade and King Lewis destined the city to Theodorick Earl of Flanders, lately arrived in those parts; whilest other Princes which had been long resident in Palestine, and born the heat of the warre, grudged hereat: and their stomachs could not digest the cruditie of a raw upstart to be preferred before them. Yea, some of the Christians corrupted with Turkish money (though when they received it, it proved but *Theodor. à Ni…in, De privilegiis Imperii, cap. de Conrado 4.gilded brasse; may all traitours be payed in such coin) perswaded the King of France to remove his camp to a stronger part of the walls: which they long besieged in vain, and returned home at last, leaving the city and their honours behind them.
The French proverb was verified of this voyage, Much bruit and little fruit. They not onelyonly did no good in the Holy land (*Sabellicus. save that some think their coming advantaged King Baldwine for the taking of the citie of Askelon) but also did much harm. For now the Turks seeing one citie both bear the brunt and batter the strength of both armies, began to conceive that their own fear was their greatest enemy; and those swords of these new Pilgrimes which they dreaded in the sheath, they sleighted when they saw them drawn; and shook off that aw which had formerly possessed them, of the strength of the Western Emperour. Many thousand Christians perished in this adventure, whose souls are pronounced by all the writers of this age to be carried up into heaven on the wings of the holy cause they died for: Whose blessed estate I will not disprove; nor will I listen to the unhappy Dutch proverb, *Cited by Luther, on Gen. 3.He that bringeth himself into needlesse dangers, dieth the devils martyr.
We must not forget how the French King coming homeward was taken prisoner by the fleet of the Grecian Emperour, and rescued again by Gregory Admirall to Roger King of Sicilie. When he was safely arrived in France, in open Parliament his wife was divorced from him. Her nearnesse in bloud was the onelyonly cause specified; and the King took no notice of her inconstancy, accounting those but foolish husbands who needlessely proclaim their wives dishonesty. He gave her back again all the lands in France which he had received with her in portion; scorning her wealth which neglected his love. Herein he did nobly, but not politickly, to part with the Dukedomes of Poictou and Aquitain, which he enjoyed in her right: for he brake his own garland by giving her her flowers back again; mangled and dismembred his own kingdome, and gave a *Serres, in Ludov. 7.torch into Henry King of England his hands (who afterwards married her) to set France on fire.
Chap. 30. An apologie for S. Bernard, whom the vulgar sort condemned for the murderer of those that went this voyage.
SLander (quicker then Martiall law) arraigneth, condemneth, and executeth all in an instant. This we may see in poore S. Bernard, who was the mark for every mans tongue to shoot arrows against: and when this voyage had miscarried, many *Goffridus, in vita Bern. lib. 3. cap. 4.condemned him, because his perswasion set this project not onelyonly on foot but on wings; as if he had thrust so many men, as one morsel, into the jaws of death.
But much may be alledged truly to excuse this good man:
First, he was but an instrument imployed by Pope Eugenius and a *Baron. annal. Eccl. in anno 1140. Insistens operi sibi commisso ab Eugenio.Provinciall Councel of French Bishops to forward the designe. Rather then should they have blamed his Holinesse who set him on work: But the saddle oftentimes is not set on the right horse, because his back is too high to be reached; and we see commonly that the instruments are made skreens to save the face of the principall from scorching.
Secondly, the true cause of the ill successe was the vitiousnesse of the undertakers. For Germany at this time surfeted of lewd people; and those grew the fattest which lived on the high-wayes. But this voyage robbed the whole countrey of her *Germania tunc latrocinus frequens purgabatur …o genere hominum, Krantz. 6. Sax. cap. 13theeves; and then no wonder if they found their death in Asia, who deserved it in Europe. Heare what *In vita Fred. lib. 1. cap. 6. in fine.Otho Frisingensis, who went this voyage, speaketh impartially in the matter: If we should say that Bernard that holy Abbot was inspired by Gods Spirit to incite us to this warre, but we through our pride and wantonnesse not observing his holy commands deservedly brought on our selves the losse of our goods and lives, we should say nothing but what is agreeable to reason, and to ancient examples. However, it was an heavy affliction to S. Bernards aged back to bear the reproch of many people: it being a great grief for one to be generally condemned as guilty, for want of proof of his innocency. And though God set his hand to S. Bernards testimoniall by the many *Goffrid. ut priús.miracles which that Father wrought, yet still some challenged him for a counterfeit.
And surely this humiliation was both wholesome and necessary for him. For the people, who cannot love without doting, nor approve without admiring, were too much transported with an high opinion of this man and his directions; as if that arrow could not misse the mark which came out of S. Bernards bow. Wherefore this miscarriage came very seasonably to abate their over-towring conceits of him; and perchance his own of himself. And no doubt he made a good use of this bad accident. The lesse his fame blazed, the more his devotion burned; and the cutting off of his top, made him take deep root, and to be made more truly humbled and sanctified. In his book of *Lib. 2. cap. 1.Consideration he maketh a modest defense of himself; whither we referre the reader. To conclude; The devotion of this man was out of question so neglecting this world, that he even did spit out that preferment which was dropped into his mouth: But as for his judgement, it was not alwayes the best; which gave occasion to the proverb, Bernardus non vidit omnia.
Chap. 31. Vnseasonable discords betwixt King Baldwine and his mother; Her strength in yeelding to her sonne.
UPon the departure of Emperour Conrade and King Lewis, Noradine the Turk much prevailed in Palestine.1149 Nor was he little advantaged by the discords betwixt Millesent Queen-mother and the Nobility; thus occasioned: There was a Noble-man called Manasses, whom the Queen (governing all in her sonnes minority) made Constable of the kingdome. This man unable to manage his own happinesse, grew so insolent that he could not go, but either spurning his equals, or trampling on his inferiours. No wonder then, if envy the shadow of greatnesse waited upon him. The *Tyrius, lib. 17. cap. 13.Nobility highly distasted him: but in all oppositions the Queens favour was his sanctuary; who to shew her own absolutenesse, and that her affection should not be controlled, nor that thrown down which she set up, still preserved the creature she had made.
His enemies perceiving him so fast rooted in her favour, and seeing they could not remove him from his foundation, sought to remove him with his foundation; instigating young King Baldwine against his mother, and especially against her favourite. They complained how the State groned under his insolency; He was the bridge by which all offices must passe, and there pay toll; He alone sifted all matters, and then no wonder if much bran passed; He under pretense of opening the Queens eyes did lead her by the nose, captivating her judgement in stead of directing it; He like a by-gulf devoured her affection, which should flow to her children. They perswaded the King he was ripe for government, and needed none to hold his hand to hold the sceptre. Let him therefore either untie or cut himself loose from this slavery, and not be in subjection to a subject.
Liberty needeth no hard pressing on youth, a touch on that stamp maketh an impression on that waxen age. Young Baldwine is apprehensive of this motion, and prosecuteth the matter so eagerly, that at length he coopeth up this Manasses in a castle, and forceth him to abjure the kingdome. Much stirre afterwards was betwixt him and his mother; till at last to end divisions, the kingdome was divided betwixt them: She had the city of Jerusalem, and the land-locked part; he the maritime half of the land. But the widest throne is too narrow for two to sit on together. He not content with this partition, marcheth furiously to Jerusalem, there to besiege his mother, and to take all from her. Out of the citie cometh *Tyrius, lib. 17. cap. 14.Fulcher the good Patriarch, (his age was a patent for his boldnesse) and freely reproveth the King: Why should he go on in such an action wherein every step he stirred, his legs must needs grate and crash both against nature and religion? Did he thus requite his mothers care in stewarding the State, thus to affright her age, to take arms against her? Was it not her goodnesse to be content with a moyety, when the whole kingdome in right belonged unto her?
But ambition had so inchanted Baldwine, that he was penetrable with no reasons which crossed his designes: so that by the advice of her friends she was content to resigne up all, lest the Christian cause should suffer in these dissensions. She retired her self to *Idem, ibidem.Sebaste, and abridged her train from State to necessity. And now the lesse room she had to build upon, the higher she raised her soul with heavenly meditations; and lived as more private, so more pious till the day of her death.
Chap. 32. Reimund Prince of Antioch overcome and killed; Askelon taken by the Christians; The death of King Baldwine.
THese discords betwixt mother and sonne were harmonie in the eares of Noradine the Turk: Who coming with a great army wasted all about Antioch; and Prince Reimund going out to bid him battel, was slain himself, and his army overthrown: nor long after Joceline Count of Edessa was intercepted by the Turks, and taken prisoner.
As for Constantia the relict of Reimund Prince of Antioch, she lived a good while a widow, refusing the affections which many princely suiters proffered unto her, till at last she descended beneath her self to marry a plain man,1153 Reinold of Castile. Yet why should we say so, when as a Castilian Gentleman (if that not a needlesse tautologie (as he maketh the inventory of his own worth, prizeth himself any Princes fellow: And the proverb is, Each lay-man of Castile may make a King, each clergie-man a Pope? Yea, we had best take heed how we speak against this match: for Almericus Patriarch of Antioch for inveighing against it, was by this Prince Reinold set in the heat of the sunne with his *Tyrius, lib. 18. cap. 1.bare head besmeared with hony (a sweet-bitter torment) that so bees might sting him to death. But King Baldwine mediated for him, and obtained his liberty that he might come to Jerusalem: where he lived many yeares in good esteem. And Gods judgements are said to have overtaken the Prince of Antioch: for besides the famine which followed in his countrey, he himself afterwards fighting unfortunately with the Turks, was taken prisoner.
But let us step over to Jerusalem; where we shall find King Baldwine making preparation for the siege of Askelon: Which citie after it had long been blocked up, had at last an assaultable breach made in the walls thereof. The Templars (to whom the King promised the spoil if they took it) entred through this breach into the citie: and conceiving they had enow to wield the work and master the place, set a guard at the breach, that no more of their fellow-Christians should come in to be sharers with them in the booty. But their *Tyrius, lib. 17. cap. 27.covetousnesse cost them their lives: for the Turks contemning their few number put them every one to the sword.1154 Yet at last the citie was taken, though with much difficulty.Aug. 12.
Other considerable victories Baldwine got of the Turks; especially one at the river Jordan, where he vanquished Noradine: And twice he relieved Cesarea-Philippi, which the Turks had straitly besieged. But death at last put a period to his earthly happinesse, being poisoned (as it was supposed) by a Jewish physician; for the rest of the potion killed a dog to whom it was given. This Kings youth was stained with unnaturall discords with his mother, and other vices, which in his settled age he reformed. Let the witnesse of Noradine his enemy be beleeved; who honourably refused to invade the kingdome whilest the funerall solemnities of Baldwine were performing; and professed the Christians had a just cause of sorrow, *Tyrius, lib. 19. cap. 34.having lost such a King,1163 whose equall for justice and valour the world did not afford. He died without issue, having reigned one and twenty yeares. So that sure it is the Printers mistake in Tyrius, where he hath foure and twenty yeares assigned him, more then the consent of time will allow.
Chap. 33. King Almerick his disposition.
ALmerick brother to King Baldwine,1163 Earl of Joppa and Askelon, succeeded to the Crown.Febr. 18. But before his coronation he was enjoyned by the Popes Legate and by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to dismisse Agnes his wife, daughter to Joceline the younger, Count of Edessa, because she was his cousin in the fourth degree; with this reservation, that the two children he had by her, Baldwine and Sibyll, should be accounted legitimate, and capable of their fathers possessions. A Prince of excellent parts; of a most happy *Tyrius, lib. 19. cap. 2.memory, (wherein also his brother Baldwine was eminent, though Fulk their father was wonderfully forgetfull; so true is the maxime, Purè personalia non propagantur, Parents entail neither their personall defects nor perfections on their posterity) solid judgement, quick apprehension; but of a bad utterance, which made him use words onelyonly as a shield when he was urged and pressed to speak, otherwise he preferred to be silent, and declined popularity more then his brother Baldwine affected it. Very thrifty he was; and though *In Orat. pro Deiotaro.Tully saith, Dici hominem frugi non multum habet laudis in rege, yet moderate frugality is both laudable and necessary in a King. But our Almerick went somewhat too farre, and was a little poore in admiring of riches, laying great taxations on the holy places to their utter impoverishing: Yet was he not mastered by his purse, but made it his vassall, and spared no money on a just occasion. He never received accusation against any of his officers, and never reckoned with them (count it as you please, carelesnesse or noble confidence) because he would not teach them to be dishonest by suspecting them. Nor is it the last and least part of his praise, that William Archbishop of Tyre (so often mentioned) wrote the Holy warre at his instance. Once he angred the good Archbishop with this question, *Tyrius, lib. 19. cap. 3.How the resurrection of the body may be proved by reason? Hereat the good Prelate was much displeased, as counting it a dangerous question wherewith one removeth a foundation-stone in Divinity, though with intent to lay it in the place again. But the King presently protested, That he demanded it not out of any dissidence in himself about that article, but in case one should meet with a sturdy man, who (as too many nowa-dayes) would not trust faith on her single bond, except he have reason joyned for security with her. Hereupon the Archbishop alledged many strong arguments to prove it, and both rested well satisfied.
Chap. 34. Ecclesiasticall businesse; A Sultan of Iconium, and the master of the Assasines desired to be christened; The Common-wealth of the Assasines described.
IN the Church of Jerusalem we find Amalrick still Patriarch: A Frenchman born, but little fit for the place to which he was preferred by the favour of Sibyll, Countesse of Flanders, the Kings sister. Mean time the Church needed a Salick law, to forbid distaffs to meddle with mitres; and neither to be, nor to make Patriarchs.
But the most remarkable Church-matter in this Kings reigne, was the clandestine christening of a Sultan of Iconium. And more of his courtiers might have followed him,Baron in anno 1169. but that his Embassadours being at Rome, were offended there with the vitiousnesse of Christians lives; which made them to exclaim, *M Paris, in anno 1169.How can fresh and salt water flow from the same fountain?1169. This hath made many Pagans step back, which had one foot in our Church, when they have seen Christians beleeve so well, and live so ill; breaking the Commandments against the Creed.
Not long after, the great master of the Assasines was really disposed to receive our religion; and to this end sent an Embassadour to King Almerick, which Embassadour was treacherously slain by one of the Templars.1173. The *Tyrius, lib. 20. cap. 32.King demanded this murderer of the master of the Templars, that justice might passe upon him. But the master proudly answered, That he had already enjoyned him penance, and had directed to send him to the Pope, but stoutly refused to surrender him to the King. This cruel murder embittered the Assasines more desperately against the Christians.
These Assasines were a precise sect of Mahometans, and had in them the very spirits of that poysonous superstition. They had some six cities, and were about fourty thousand in number, living neare Antaradus in Syria. Over these was a chief master, (Hell it self cannot subsist without a Beelzebub; so much order there is in the place of confusion,) whom they called *M. Paris, anno 1147. P. Aemyl. in Ludov. jun.The Old man of the mountains. At his command they would refuse no pain or peril, but stab any Prince whom he appointed out to death; scorning not to find hands for his tongue, to perform what he enjoyned. At this day there are none of them extant, (except revived by the Jesuites; for sure Ignatius Loyola, the lame father of blind obedience fetched his platform hence) being all, as it seems, slain by the *M. Paris, (aut ejus Continuator) in anno 1257Tartarians, Anno 1257. But no tears need be shed at their funeralls: yea, pity it is that any pity should be lavished upon them, whose whole government was an engine built against humane society, worthy to be fired by all men; the body of their State being a very monstrosity, and a grievance of mankind.