AFTER his great victory on the Assur, Richard led the pilgrim army towards Joppa. On reaching that ancient city, the crusaders found that it was so dilapidated, as to be incapable of affording shelter. However, they encamped in olive gardens outside the walls, and refreshed themselves with the figs, grapes, pomegranates, and citrons, with which the country abounded.
It would seem that the crusaders ought, at this time, to have pushed on to Jerusalem. Everything, however, combined to retard their progress towards the Holy City. Ere long, tidings reached the camp that Saladin was destroying Ascalon; but the intelligence appeared so improbable, that Richard could not credit the report. He, therefore, despatched Geoffrey de Lusignan to ascertain the truth; and, on the news being confirmed, he deliberated with the Duke of Burgundy and the French lords, whether they should proceed to Jerusalem, or endeavor to save Ascalon.
"It seems to me," said the King, "that any difference of opinion may be not only useless, but dangerous. The Turks who are dismantling Ascalon, dare not meet us in the field. I think we should save the city, as a protection to the pilgrims who pass that way."
"Our opinion is quite opposite," said the French lords; " and we recommend that Joppa should rather be restored, as furnishing a shorter and easier route for pilgrims going to the Holy Sepulchre."
The opinion of the Duke of Burgundy and his friends, finding favor with the majority, was adopted; and the crusaders having determined to remain at Joppa, began to rebuild the towers and clear out the moat. The work, however, was not to the liking of all; and many, longing for scenes of revelry and dissipation, returned to gratify their tastes in the taverns and bagnios at Acre. Anxious to recall the soldiers of the cross to their duties, Richard sent Guy de Lusignan. But the influence of Guy was not sufficient to rouse them from their sinful pursuits; and the King of England, in order to accomplish his object, was under the necessity of sailing to Acre. He was successful in bringing the deserters back to Joppa, and conducted thither Queen Berengaria, Queen Joan, and other ladies, who shared the adventurous enterprise.
At Joppa, the crusaders appeared to forget the object with which they had gone to the East; and months passed over without any effort being made to realize their aspirations. Richard did not exhibit the very best example. Besides giving way, in some degree, to the fascinations of a brilliant court, the King of England yielded to liis reckless humor, and "wooed danger as a bride." The consequences were not, in all cases, particularly agreeable.
One day when the Sultan's soldiers were scouring the country in all directions, Richard mounted his bay Cyprian steed, and, attended by a band of knights, rode forth with a view of enjoying the sport of hawking and of fighting any enemy who came in his way. Fatigued with his exertions, Richard lay down to rest, and fell fast asleep. While in this posture, the royal crusader and his attendants were suddenly awakened by the approach of foes; and he had scarcely time to spring upon his steed, when the Turks were upon him. Seeing himself surrounded, Richard drew his sword, and laid about him to such purpose that his assailants fled. On reaching a spot where another band lay in ambush, the Turks rallied and renewed the attack. The king fought desperately; but the odds were so overwhelming that his capture seemed inevitable. At a critical moment, however, William de Prattelles, one of his knights, shouted out: "I am the King: spare my life;" and the Turks, completely deceived, took him prisoner, while Richard spurred away to Joppa.
Soon after this escape, Coeur de Lion's chivalry involved him in a danger almost equal in degree. A company of the Templars, having fallen into an ambuscade, the King of England sent the Earl of Leicester to their aid, promising to follow as soon as he could brace on his armor. Before there was time for the process, news came that the Templars were on the point of being overpowered by the enemy, and that the English Earl was likely to share their fate. "St. George," exclaimed Richard, "I should be unworthy of the name of king, if I abandoned those I have promised to succor;" and, without waiting for any one, he leaped on his war-horse. Galloping to the spot, Richard spurred into the conflict, and exerted his strength with such effect, that he rescued the Earl of Leicester, and nearly all the Templars who had not fallen previously to his arrival.
An antagonist very different from Saracens soon after crossed Richard's path. While the royal hero was riding homeward, he was suddenly exposed to serious danger from a wild boar, which planted itself in his way and opposed his progress. The King shouted; but the animal, instead of moving, stood, with foaming mouth, bristling hair, and erect ears, collecting all its strength and fury to attack. Even when Coeur de Lion rode round about, the boar, turning in a circle, kept its place and presenting a most ferocious aspect. Richard was, of course, without a hunting spear; but, using his lance instead, he succeeded in piercing his grisly antagonist. The boar undauntedly met the charge, turned on one side in such a way as to break the weapon, and, rendered furious by a wound, charged the crusader with extraordinary ferocity. Richard, however, putting spurs to his steed, cleared the boar at a leap; and the boar, after tearing away part of the horse's trappings, made a desperate movement to close. But the King, availing himself of his steed's agility, and brandishing his blade, dealt the boar a stern blow in passing, and, wheeling round, terminated the contest by cutting the animal's sinews.
It was not without uneasiness that the crusaders learned the dangers to which their chief was continually exposing himself; and when the year drew to its close, the propriety of proceeding to Jerusalem forced itself on their attention. Accordingly, in January, 1192, the warlike pilgrims renewed their march; but, the season being rainy, the roads were found almost impassable; and, after suffering every kind of misery, they retreated to Ascaldn, the Eastern cavalry hovering in their rear.
On the 20th of January, the crusaders reached Ascalon. But the city was not in such a state as to afford comfort. In fact, the fortifications were entirely dismantled; and the gates were so choked up witH heaps of stones and rubbish, that, at first, to enter was found impossible.
After encamping, however, and making the best of circumstances, Richard resolved on repairing the ramparts. Not only did the King waste time by working like a private soldier, but he gave mortal offence by insisting on others following his example.
"We came to Asia," said many of the knightly crusaders, "not to rebuild Ascalon, but to reconquer Jerusalem."
"I am neither a carpenter nor a mason," said Leopold Duke of Austria, when pressed to leave his tent and take part in the operations.
Richard did not notice the expressions of indignation which came from less important personages. But when the Austrian demurred, he made use of his foot to indicate, in the most significant manner, the contempt he felt for Leopold, and abused the haughty Duke without reference to his rearing or his rank.
Before the restoration of Ascalon was completed, the zeal of the crusaders began to cool. Everything, in fact, was going wrong; and every man was at variance with his neighbor. At Acre, the partisans of Guy de Lusignan and Conrad of Montferrat fought hand to hand in the streets; and Saladin, aware of the feuds of his adversaries, prepared to strike a decisive blow.
While such was the state of affairs, the Prior of Hereford reached Richard with a message which threw the crusaders into commotion. It appeared that the King's government had not been satisfactorily carried on during his absence. In fact, the Bishop of Ely, whom Richard had left as Chancellor, had been banished from the realm, and John of Anjou, the King's brother, was projecting a usurpation. "If your Majesty does not return home with all haste," said the Prior, "you will not be able to recover your kingdom without a war."
Richard was much perplexed; and he, at once, recognized the expediency of treating with Saladin. Negotiations were accordingly opened; and the chiefs rivalled each other in courtesy. Richard is even said to have offered the hand of Queen Joan to the Sultan's brother Malekadel; and seebg that the Sicilian Dido had mourned her dead lord for three years, she might not have interposed any serious objections to uniting her fate with a gallant Saracen. But the church was utterly hostile to the scheme; and she ultimately became the wife of the Count of Thoulouse. Richard, however, declared to Saladin that all he wanted was possession of Jerusalem. But Saladin replied that the Blessed City was as dear to Saracens as to Christians; and negotiations having come to nought, the belligerents continued their struggle.
Meanwhile, the army of pilgrims having been asked to decide whether Guy dc Lusignan or Conrad of Monteferrat should be King of Jerusalem, decided in favor of the latter. But Conrad had scarcely time to congratulate himself on his good fortune, when ho was murdered by two of the assassins of the old Man of the Mountains. Henry, Count of Champagne, marrying Isabel, Conrad's widow, then became King of Jerusalem; while Richard, to console Guy de Lusignan, bestowed upon him the crown of Cyprus.
Richard, having failed in his pacific project, announced his intention of remaining for another year in the Holy Land; and in the month of June, after several enterprises which spread alarm among the Saracens, he marched towards Jerusalem. The soldiers were delighted at the prospect of entering the Holy City; and Saladin, in alarm, shut himself up within the walls, and made his emirs swear rather to bury themselves beneath the ruins than yield to the Christians. But the chief crusaders did not partake of the enthusiasm of their army; and the Sultan's alarm was unnecessary. Richard, indeed, hoped that Saladin would give them battle, and that a victory would clear their way. But the Sultan did not gratify the wishes of his martial foe; and while the crusaders were encamped in the vale of Hebron, Richard received news which made him more than ever anxious to leave the East. Besides, the pilgrim princes again fell out among themselves. Burgundy satirized Richard mercilessly in some verses, which were publicly sung; Coeur de Lion avenged himself by a similar effusion; and, after much controversy, they abandoned their enterprise. It was not without pain that Richard gave the order to retreat; and, after having done so, his affliction was such that he declared himself unworthy even to look upon the Holy City.
"Sire," said one of Richard's knights, entering the royal tent, " only come hither, and I will show you Jerusalem!
"Oh, Lord God!" exclaimed the King, with tears in his eyes, and hands lifted towards heaven, " I pray thee that I may never see thy Holy City, since I cannot deliver it from the hands of thine enemies!"
After this scene, Richard fell back on Ascalon, and having fortified that city, repaired to Acre. Ere this the French and Germans rapidly deserted his standard; and Saladin, descending from the mountains, took Joppa. On hearing that the city had yielded to the Sultan, but the citadel was still in possession of the crusaders, Richard, who was at Acre, declared he would go to their rescue. "As God lives," he exclaimed, "I will be with them, and give them all the aid in my power." Landing at Joppa, he immediately fell upon the Turks, sword in hand, and expelled them in confusion. A few days after, at the head of his scanty ranks, he encountered an army of seven thousand on a plain outside the city. Though infinitely inferior in number, Richard made a noble struggle, unhorsed every champion who crossed his path, killed the leader of the Moslems, spread consternation among his foes, and excited the admiration of his friends. Night put an end to the conflict, but Richard's victory was secure; and his marvellous feats of heroism filled the East with his fame.
When winter came, though the navigation of the Mediterranean was deemed the reverse of safe, Richard was eager to return to England. But the English King had no idea of stealing away as Philip Augustus had done. " The sea is stormy," he wrote to Saladin, " yet if you are inclined to make peace, I will brave all its tempests and proceed to Europe; if you desire war, I will run all risks and besiege Jerusalem." Saladin consulted his emirs, and they recommended him to obey the maxims of the Koran, which orders that peace should be granted to enemies when they ask it.
Richard, on learning that the Sultan was inclined to treat, proposed a personal interview. But Saladin declined this on account of his ignorance of Richard's language. Ambassadors were therefore appointed to conclude a treaty; and everything was satisfactorily arranged. Ascalon was to be demolished; Jerusalem was to be open to pilgrims; and the sea-coast from Tyre to Joppa was to be held by the Christians of the East. The King and the Sultan contended who should display most courtesy, and did not even require oaths to the terms, but contented themselves with their royal words, and touching the hands of each others ambassadors. All the princes of Syria, whether Turk or Frank, were then invited to sign the treaty: Christians and Moslems celebrated the conclusion of peace with tournaments and festivals; and most of the crusaders, having visited the Holy City and the Holy Places, embarked for Europe.
After concluding peace with Coeur de Lion, Saladin returned to Damascus, where he enjoyed his glory for one year. At the end of that time, he lay down to die. "Go," said he to one of his emirs, "carry my shroud through the streets, and cry with a loud voice -- 'Behold all that Saladin, who overcame all the East, bears away of his conquests!' " The emir did as he was commanded; and the soul of the great Sultan parted from its tenement of clay.
Saladin did not deign to express any wish as to the succession; and, soon after he died, the empire began to fall to pieces. At first, indeed, his eldest son appeared likely to retain something of his father's power. Unfortunately for the young Sultan, he addicted himself to dissipation, and so scandalized Moslems by indulging in wine, that serious discontent was felt. Malekadel, Saladin's brother, profited by these discontents to dethrone Saladin's son; and the dispossessed Sultan, driven from Damascus, applied to the Caliph of Bagdad. But Mahomet's successor, being virtually powerless, could only offer consolatory words to the injured grandson of Ayoub. " Rely upon it," said the Caliph, after listening with exemplary patience to the story of the exiled Sultan, "your enemies, for what they have done, will have to give on account to God."
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
