The History of the Holy War, Book 2 · Chapter 36
Chap. 36. Sanar imploreth the aid of King Almerick; A solemn agreement made betwixt them, and ratified by the magnificent Caliph.
1166SUltan Sanar perceiving himself pressed and overlayed by these Turks, who with Syracon their Captain refused to return, and of assistants turned invaders, borrowed the help of Almerick King of Jerusalem to avoid them out of Egypt. Whilest Almerick marched thither,Aug. 10. an unfortunate battel was fought betwixt Boemund the third of that name Prince of Antioch, Reimund Count of Tripoli, Calaman Grecian governour of Cilicia, and Joceline the third the titular Count of Edessa, on the one side; and Noradine King of the Turks, on the other. The Turks got the victory, and these foure Christian Princes were taken prisoners; and their army lost so much good bloud that day, that cast it into an irrecoverable consumption, and hastened the ruine of this kingdome. Noradine following his blow, wonne Cesarea-Philippi.
Aug. 18.Neverthelesse Almerick went on effectually in Egypt, and for a time expulsed the Turks out of this land. But Syracon would not so quickly quit the countrey; but goeth to the Caliph of Babylon (who was opposite to him of Egypt, each of them claiming as heir to Mahomet that false prophet, the soveraignty over all that were of the Saracen law) & offereth him his means for the exstirpation of this schismaticall Caliph, and the reduction of all Egypt to the subjection of the Babylonian. The motion was joyfully entertained, and Syracon with a mighty power descendeth into Egypt.
Sanar affrighted hereat maketh new and larger proffers to King Almerick to stop this deluge of his enemies, and proffereth him a pension of fourty thousand ducats yearly for his behooffull assistance. But the King understanding that the Sultan (how much soever he took upon him) was subject to a higher Lord, would make no such bargain with him, but with the Caliph himself; and therefore sent his Embassadours, *Tyrius, lib. 19. cap. 16.Hugh Earl of Cesarea, and a Knight-Templar, along with the Sultan to Caliph Elhadach then resident at Cairo. Arriving at his palace, they passed through dark passages well guarded with armed Ethiopians. Hence they were conducted into goodly open *Idem, cap. 18.courts of such beauty and riches, that they could not retain the gravity of Embassadours, but were enforced to admire the rarities they beheld. The farther they went, the greater the state; till at last they were brought to the Caliphs own lodging. Where entring the presence, the Sultan thrice prostrated himself to the ground before the curtain behind which the Caliph sat. Presently the traverse wrought with pearls was opened, and the Caliph himself discovered, sitting with great majesty on a throne of gold, having few of his most inward eunuchs about him.
The Sultan humbly kissed his masters feet, and briefly told him the cause of their coming, the danger wherein the land stood, the proffers he had made to King Almerick, desiring him now to ratifie them, and in demonstration thereof to give his hand to the Kings Embassadours. The Caliph demurred hereat, as counting such a gesture a diminution to his State; and at no hand would give him his hand bare, but gave it in his glove. To whom the resolute Earl of *Idem, cap. 19.Cesarea; Sir, said he, Truth seeketh no holes to hide it self. Princes that will hold covenant, must deal openly and nakedly: give us therefore your bare hand; we will make no bargain with your glove. He was loth to do it; but necessity (a more imperious Caliph then himself at this time) commanded it: and he did it at last, dismissing the Christian Embassadours with such gifts as testified his greatnesse.
According to this agreement King Almerick cordially prosecuted his businesse, improving his utmost might to expell Syracon with his Turks out of Egypt; whom he bade battel, and got the day though he lost all his baggage: So that the conquest in a manner was divided; the Turks gaining the wealth, the Christians the honour of the victorie. Following his blow, he pinned up the Turks afterward in the city of Alexandria, and forced them to receive of him conditions of peace, and then returned himself with honour to Askelon.1167Sept. 21.