1790

Jun. 15. [313] In the camp at Damietta. Patriarch R. of Jerusalem, King John of Jerusalem, E. Nychosiensis archiepiscopus, I. Acconensis episcopus, R. Beetlemitanus episcopus, L. dux Austrie, G. Hospitalis sancti Iohannis Ierosolimitani magister, W. militie Templi magister, Hermannus Hospitalis Teutonicorum magister, and all the barones, clergy and people engaged in the crusade, inform Pope Honorius III [who circulates this letter c.August 13] of their decision to invade Egypt, stressing the threat to the Holy Land when Damascus and Egypt are united. They report their arrival in Egypt on 29 May, their erection of siege engines in order to take a tower in the middle of the Nile, from which a chain stretches to the city, impeding the passage of shipping, the success of their naves and galee in preventing Muslim relief to the city by river, the dangers facing their army, their need for assistance, especially from the crusaders gathered in Genoa, and their confidence in final success in Egypt.