Of the siege of Donnetta and the sufferings of the Christians. About this same time Pelagius, the legate of the apostolic see, in his ardent desire to besiege the city of Damictta, after the taking of the tower, advised the Christians to cross the Nile. They therefore, although with much danger, proceeded with their ships up the river between the city and the captured tower, but were much obstructed by the engines of the city and by the Greek fire ; one of the ships of the templars, being driven by the force of the current was forced towards the bank near the city, and being thus thrown in the enemy's reach, they attacked it for a length of time with barbettes and iron grapnels, hurling Greek fire on it from the city towers ; and not being able to accomplish their purpose on account of the bravery of its defenders, the infidels climbed on board and impetuously attacked the templars, when, after fighting for a length of time, the ship was bored through, either by the infidels, or, as was rather believed, by the crusaders themselves, and went to the bottom of the river with Christians and infidels together, leaving only the top of its mast above water; and like Sampson who slew moro enemies when dying than during his life, so these martyrs for Christ took more enemies with them into the abyss of waters than they could destroy by their swords. The pagans then repaired the bridge and left but a narrow opening, so that the ships of the crusaders could not come up without danger from the force of the river; however the Frieslandcrs and Germans, inflamed with just indignation, bravely attacked the bridge with the largest ship, by means of which the tower had been taken ; and, having no other aid but that of Heaven, less than ten men of the aforesaid nations, opposed by all the strength of Babylon, reached the bridge, and broke it in sight of all the Christian host, who were lost in admiration of their boldness; and then taking possession of the four ships on which the bridge was placed, they returned with them in triumph, and thus left a free and open passage for the For he wns obnoxious to the Irish on account of subduing them; ho was the honour and glory of England; a trader with the Normans, for he purchased many piaceli in that country; nnd to the French lie was warlike and invincible. In this year in the time of Hugh the second hishnjt ot Lincoln, nnd William nbbat of St. Alban's, an amicable arrangement was made between the churches of Lincoln and St. Alban's."