1829

Nov. 12. John, dei gratia Hierosolymitanus Rex, informs the emperor Frederick II of the course of the Fifth Crusade, stressing the importance of an invasion of Egypt to the recovery of the Holy Land. The reaction of the Muslims to the invasion had been the destruction of the castles of Mons Tabor and Planentiu and other places, which will make the reoccupation of the Holy Land easier. John has heard that they have also dismantled the walls of Jerusalem on hearing that the Christians had crossed the Nile before Damietta. They offered a truce, involving the return of the relic of the True Cross and all the kingdom of Jerusalem, except for the 2 castles [of Cracum and Petrensis]. They promised to pay tribute, to return the Christian prisoners held in their 2 kingdoms of Syria [Egypt?] and Damascus, and to pay for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The Christians met, but discussion was overtaken by the fall of Damietta on 4 November, as the bearer of the letter will inform the emperor.