WHILE the French murmured at the inglorious close of their expedition to Africa, and while Bibars Bendoc-dar raged at the news of the sacrifices made by his Moorish ally, the conqueror of Evesham and the English crusaders, who at Sardinia had heard of the death of St. Louis, reached Tunis.
Edward's arrival, whejh proclaimed in the Christian camp, spread joy among the crusaders. In their peril and perplexity, the European knights were delighted at the idea of having among them the most famous of their order; and through the great heart of the Prince, as his blue eye scanned the noble army encamped before the Moorish capital, thrilled anticipations of fortresses taken and fields won. But scarcely had Edward landed, and condoled with the Kings of Sicily and France on the death of their saintly relative, and intimated his readiness to lead them against the infidels without delay, than his visions of victory were rudely put to flight.
"The Bey of Tunis," said Charles of Anjou, "is prepared to render satisfaction to all the crusaders for the cost of their expedition, and to pay the tribute so long due to me as King of Sicily."
"For what, my Lord do you take me?" exclaimed the Prince in amazement, and in a tone which convinced the barons of France that the day was gone by for talking of "English tails" or assuming airs of superiority. "Deem you that I and my friends have left England to exact tribute from Pagans and pirates? No, by Holy Edward; but to make war against the enemies of the cross, and to recover, if possible, the city of Jerusalem!"
"Nevertheless," was the answer of Charles of Anjou, " the treaty has been negotiated. Wherefore, let us return to Sicily; and, when the winter is past, we can sail to Acre."
Mortified was Edward on hearing of the peace that had been concluded. He determined, however, not to return to England without signalizing his prowess against the foes of his religion; and, holding aloof from the councils of the crusaders, he refused to take any part in concluding the peace, or any portion of the gold which had bribed them to go home. Others were less scrupulous, however; and, after the Bey had sent to the Christian camp thirty-two camels, heavily laden with gold and silver, the warriors of the cross, on the 18th of November, embarked for Sicily.
The voyage of the crusaders proved most disastrous. When about to enter the port of Trapani, their fleet was assailed by a tempest, and the results were frightful. Eighteen ships, with horses, armor, equipments, and the gold received from the Bey of Tunis, were submerged; and four thousand warriors, whom the plague bad spared on the coast of Carthage, found a watery grave off the coast of Sicily.
Having landed at Trapani after this misfortune, the crusaders held several councils to determine what course they were to pursue. Every leader deplored the loss he had sustained during the tempest; and Charles of Anjou, with an eye to his own interest, proposed that they should attempt the conquest of Constantinople, which had been, recently recovered by the Greeks. But this project failed to enlist general sympathy. King Philip expressed his intention of returning forthwith to France; and the Christian princes and nobles agreed, for the present, to lay aside the cross. In order not to deceive each other, however, they all took a solemn oath to resume the crusade at a subsequent period, and they even appointed the day on which they were to embark for Acre.
The English knights now looked blank, and appeared to consider a return to England inevitable. But Edward witnessed with indignation the cowardice and hypocrisy of the kings and princes who figured in the scene. " Though all my comrades in arms and my countrymen should desert me," he said, striking his breast, " yet I, with Fowin, my palfrey keeper, will enter Acre. By Holy Edward," he exclaimed, his eye kindling and his form dilating as he spoke, " I will keep my oath, though in so doing my soul should be parted from my body." On hearing their Prince's resolution to persevere, De Clare, De Vesci, De Brus, and the other English knights, indicated their willingness to share the peril and minister to the success of his enterprise.
But though the crusaders from England expressed their determination to rescue the endangered Christians of Syria, the heir of St. Louis exhibited no scruple in abandoning those whom he had vowed to succor. Indeed, Philip was now all anxiety to take possession of his throne; and no sooner had the year 1271 opened, than he set out for France.
Meantime, Edward of England remained for the winter in Sicily, passing his time in chivalrous exercises, and not neglecting, perhaps, to reduce to military discipline the Frieslanders, who had joined St. Louis at Aigucs Mortes, and who now recognized the Prince as their leader. Undaunted by desertion and difficulties, Edward clung with tenacity to his purpose, and, by showing a high example, inspired his friends with enthusiasm worthy of the occasion.
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
