736

Late Aug. Frater G. Fulcherii domorum pauperis militiae Templi procurator informs King Louis VII of France of the dire state of the land of Antioch and the kingdom of Jerusalem. In July King Amalric, together with the master of the Temple and other leaders of the Holy Land, invaded Egypt and besieged Syraco [Shirkuh] the conestabulus of Nur ad-Din in Berbesium [Bilbais]. Nur ad-Din responded by laying siege to Harenc, situated on the frontier between Antioch and Aleppo, with siege engines and petraries, reducing the garrison to starvation. Prince Bohemond decided to [march in] support, together with the count of Tripoli, dominus Torosius, the dux Marmistensis and brothers of the Temple. So many milites, Turcopoli and pedites were involved that there had never in modern times been such a fair army. In a battle on 12 August the prince and the count were captured. Of 600 milites and 12000 pedites, few survived. The infideles have taken Harenc and besieged Antioch. Frater G. appeals to King Louis for assistance.