A History of the Crusades-Vol 3 (34 page)

Plate
V. The Ilkhan Hulagu.

Plate
VI. Krak des Chevaliers.

Plate
VII. The Choir of the Church of the Holt Sepulchre in 1681. This is one of the
few drawings that show the Church as it was before the fire of 1808.

Plate
VIII. The Cathedral of Tortosa.

Plate IX. Mosaic panel of Christ
in Glory, from the vault of the Latin chapel of Calvary. The mosaic seems to
have been made by Byzantine artists employed by the Latin authorities.

Plate
X. The Church of St Andrew at Acre in 1681.

Plate XI. The Temptation. From
Queen Melisende’s Psalter.

Plate XII. The Transfiguration.
From Queen Melisende’s Psalter.

Plate XIII. Virgin and Child
enthroned. From Queen Melisende’s Psalter showing Latin work.

Plate XIV. Plan of Acre by
Marino Sanudo.

Plate XV. Mameluk Emirs about
the end of the thirteenth century. Metal work from the so-called Font of St
Louis. The second figure from the right is probably the Emir Salar, Viceroy of
Egypt in 1299. The emir’s costumes were strictly ordained by Sultan Qalawun.

CHAPTER
II

SAINT
LOUIS

‘It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with
God.’
JOB XXXIV,
9

In December 1244, Louis IX, King of
France, fell desperately ill of a malarial infection. As he lay near to death
he vowed that if he recovered he would set out for a Crusade. His life was
spared; and as soon as his health permitted him, he began to make his
preparations. The King was now thirty, a tall, slightly built man, fair-haired
and fair-skinned, perpetually suffering from erysipelas and anaemia; but his
character never lacked strength. Few human beings have ever been so consciously
and sincerely virtuous. As King, he felt that he was responsible before God for
the welfare of his people; and no prelate, not even the Pope himself, was
allowed to come between him and this duty. It was his task to provide a just
government. Though he was no innovator and scrupulously regarded the feudal
rights of his vassals, he expected them to play their part, and if they failed,
their powers were curtailed. This stern devotion won him admiration even from
his enemies; and their admiration was enhanced by his personal piety, his
humility and his spectacular austerity. His standard of honour was high; he
never broke his pledged word. Towards malefactors he was merciless; and he was
harsh, even cruel, in his dealings with heretics and with the infidel. His
intimates found his conversation full of charm and gentle humour, but he kept
aloof from his ministers and his vassals; and to his own children he was an
autocratic master. His Queen, Margaret of Provence, had been a gay and
proud-spirited girl, but he tamed her into a demeanour more suited to the wife
of a saint.