A.D. 1249.] DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPOILS. —44 Sire, it seems right to me, that you should reserve the wheat, barley, rice, and all other provisions, in order that the city may not sufier famine ; and that you should order proclamation to be made throughout the army, that all other goods and furniture should be carried and deposited in the house of the legate, under pain of excommunication." This advice was acceded to by the barons and all present, and put in execution. The furniture that was carried to the legate's house was foundg on valuation, not worth more than six thousand livres. When all had been brought thither, the king and the barons sent to seek for the good and discreet man, Sir John de Valeri. On his arrival, the king told him what had been done, and that his council had advised that the legate should give him the six thousand livres at which the goods had been valued, which he would carry to his house, iu order that he might dispose of them in the manner he should see right, and where he should think them best employed. 4 4 Sire," replied Sir John, 411 most humbly thank you for the honour you do me ; but, under your good pleasure, 1 will not accept your proposal : never, please God, will I alter good and ancient customs, and such as our predecessors have followed in the Holy Land ; for, whenever any city, or other considerable booty, was gained from the enemy, the king never received but one-third of all the riches or goods that were found in the city, and the pilgrims had two parts. This was the custom followed by King John, when formerly he took Damietta : and thus, as I have heard my elders say, did the king of Jerusalem act before King John's time, without failing in any one .point Now, consider if you be willing to give me two parts of the grain and other provisions which you have retained, and most cheerfully will I divide and distribute them among the pilgrims, in honour of God." The king did not agree to this advice, and matters remained as before, which made many discontented with the king, because he had broken through good ancient customs. The king's officers, when they were at their ease, and comfortably lodged in the city of Damietta, instead of well treating and entertaining the merchants, and those who followed the army with provisions, hired out to them stalls and