A-D- 1253. ] THE FRENCH DEFEATED BY THE PERSIANS. 48 9 not surrender a tower of hie castle of Jaffa called the Tower of the Patriarch, and which the patriarch claimed as belonging to him. The patriarch would not absolve bim: nevertheless, the count did not fail to accompany us. The army was divided into three battalions : the first was given to Count Gautier, the second to the sultan of La Chamelle, and the third to the patriarch and barons of the country. In the battalion of Sir Gautier were the Knights Hospitalière. Whe n these three battalions had been properly arrayed, they moved forward, and advanced within sight of the enemy; who, on noticing their approach, formed their army likewise into three divisions. Count Gautier de Brienne, observing this manœuvre, cried out, " My lords, what are we about ? W e allow our enemies time to draw up their men in array, and increase their courage by seeing us thus remain inactive. I beg of you, in the name of God, instantly to charge them." But not one would pay him the least attention, or advance. H e then went up to the patriarch, and again demanded abso lution, but it was refused him. With the count was a most learned man, the bishop of Ranid, who had done many gallant deeds of chivalry in company with the count The bishop said to him, " Do not let your conscience be uneasy at this excommunication of the patriarch, for he is very much in the wrong ; and, from the powers I possess, I absolve you from it, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen." He then added, " Come now, let us charge the enemy." Sticking spurs into their horses, they fell on the battalion of the emperor of Persia that formed the rear, but it was too numerous for those who had followed the count Very many were slain on each side : notwithstanding this, the count was made prisoner, for his battalion most shamefully fled, and several, from despair, threw themselves into the sea. One cause of this despair was owing to a battalion of the emperor of Persia railing on that of the sultan of La Chamelle, who fought and defended him self with such great valour, although he was much weaker in numbers than the enemy, that out of 2,000 men there did not remain more than fourscore, so that he was forced to make his retreat to the castle of La Chamelle. The emperor of Persia, concluding that bis victory was complete, resolved to besiege the sultan in his castle of La