The History of the Holy War, Book 3 · Chapter 14 – Chapter 15
Chap. 14. The death of Saladine; His commendation, even with truth, but almost above belief.
SOon after,1193 Saladine the terrour of the East ended his life, having reigned sixteen yeares.Febr. 16. Consider him as a man, or a Prince, he was both wayes admirable.
Many Historians (like some painters, which rather shew their skill in drawing a curious face then in making it like to him whom it should resemble) describe Princes rather what they should be then what they were; not shewing so much their goodnesse as their own wits. But finding this Saladine so generally commended of all writers, we have no cause to distrust this his true character.
His wisdome was great, in that he was able to advise; and greater, in that he was willing to be advised: Never so wedded to his own resolves, but on good ground he would be divorced from them. His valour was not over-free, but would well answer the spurre when need required. In his victories he was much beholden to the advantage of season, place, and number; and seldome wrested the garland of honour from an arm as strong as his own. He ever marched in person into the field, remembring that his predecessours, the Caliphs of Egypt, brake themselves by using Factours, and imploying of Souldans. His temperance was great, diet sparing, sleep moderate, not to pamper nature, but keep it in repair. His greatest recreation was variety and exchange of work. Pleasures he rather sipped then drank off; sometimes, more to content others then please himself. Wives he might have kept sans number, but stinted himself to one or two; using them rather for posterity then wantonnesse. His justice to his own people was remarkable; his promise with his enemies generally well kept. Much he did triumph in mercy: Fierce in fighting, mild in conquering; and having his enemies in his hand, pleased himself more in the power then act of revenge. His liberality would have drained his treasure, had it not had a great and quick spring, those Eastern parts being very rich. Serviceable men he would purchase on any rate; and sometimes his gifts bare better proportion to his own greatnesse then the receivers deserts. Vast bribes he would give to have places betrayed unto him, and often effected that with his gold which he could not do with his steel. Zealous he was in his own religion, yet not violent against Christians quà Christians. Scholarship cannot be expected in him who was a Turk by his birth (amongst whom it is a sinne to be learned) and a souldier by breeding. His humility was admirable; as being neither ignorant of his greatnesse, nor over-knowing it. He provided to have no solemnities at his funerals; and ordered that before his corpse a black cloth should be carried on the top of a spear, and this proclaimed, *Sabell. Eun. 9. lib. 5. pag. 378.Saladine Conquerour of the East had nothing left him but this black shirt to attend him to the grave.
Some entitle him as descended from the Royall Turkish bloud: Which flattering Heralds he will little thank for their pains; counting it most honour, that he being of mean parentage, was the first founder of his own Nobility. His stature (for one of that nation) was tall. His person rather cut out to strike fear then winne love; yet could he put on amiablenesse when occasion required, and make it beseem him. To conclude; I will not be so bold, to do with him as an Eastern *Ioan. Euchaitensis, jampridem Etoniae Graecè editus.Bishop doth with Plato and Plutarch, whom he commendeth in a Greek hymn to Christ, as those that came nearest to holinesse of all untaught Gentiles: (Belike he would be our Saviours remembrancer, and put him in mind to take more especiall notice of them at the day of judgement.) But I will take my farewell of Saladine with that commendation I find of him, *Sabell. Eun. 9. lib. 5. pag. 378.He wanted nothing to his eternall happinesse, but the knowledge of Christ.
Chap. 15. Discords amongst the Turks; The miserable death of Henry King of Ierusalem.
1194SAladine left nine (some say, twelve) sonnes, making Saphradine his brother overseer of his will: Who of a tutour turned a traitour, and murdered them all excepting one, called also Saphradine, Sultan of Aleppo; who, not by his uncles pity, but by the favour and support of his fathers good friends was preserved. Hence arose much intestine discord amongst the Turks; all which time the Christians enjoyed their truce with much quiet and security.
1196Not long after, Henry King of Jerusalem, as he was *Continuatur Ursp. in anno 1196. Et M. Paris. in eodem.walking in his palace to solace himself, fell down out of a window, and brake his neck. He reigned three yeares. But as for the particular time he died on, I find it not specified in any Authour.