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. August 11. Caesarea. King Louis IX of France writes to his brother Alphonse of Poitiers, count of Poitou and Toulouse. Since sending his envoys, Bartholomew his chaplain and Jean de Domibus, knight, the following have occurred: an amir, Fāris al-Dīn Aqṭāy (Feres Katay) came into the territory of the Kingdom of Jerusalem to make war on the sultan of Aleppo (al-Nāṣir Yūsuf) and recover Damascus, seized after the murder of the sultan (al-Mu’aẓẓam Tūrān-Shāh). He established himself at Nablus, nine leagues from Caesarea, awaiting reinforcement from Egypt. Al-Nāṣir Yūsuf brought up a larger force, and both sides engaged Louis in negotiations. The Christian army at Caesarea has enjoyed peace, not even injury from the Bedouins, and the supply route from Acre has been clear. There has been trouble from pirates, but a pirate ship has recently been captured. On 29 July al-Nāṣir Yūsuf approached Nablus, and the Egyptians withdrew and fled to Egypt. Louis is hopeful that he can gain advantage from this war. Meanwhile he is strengthening the defences at Caesarea. Louis askes after his mother, Charles, count of Anjou and Provence, and his sister [Isabelle].