the name of himself and his people, to embrace the christian ODO DS religion, provided the Templars would release them from the Λ . η . 1172.' tribute money. The proposition was favourably received ; the envoy was honourably entertained for some days, and on his departure he was furnished by the king with a guide and an escort to conduct him in safety to the frontier. The Ismaelite had reached the borders of the Latin kingdom, and was almost in sight of the castles of his brethren, when he was cruelly murdered by the Knight Templar Walter du Mesnil, who attacked the escort with a body of armed followers.* The king of Jerusalem, justly incensed at this perfidious action, assembled the barons of the kingdom at Sidon to determine on the best means of obtaining satisfaction for the injury ; and it was determined that two of their number should proceed to Odo de St. Amand to demand the surrender of the criminal. The haughty Master of the Temple bade them inform his majesty the king, that the members of the order of the Temple were not subject to his jurisdiction, nor to that of his officers; that the Templars acknowledged no earthly superior except the Pope; and that to the holy pontiff alone belonged the cognizance of the offence. He declared, however, that the crime should meet with due punishment ; that he had caused the criminal to be arrested and put in irons, and would forthwith send him to Home, but till judgment was given in his case, he forbade all persons of whatsoever degree to meddle with him.+ Shortly afterwards, however, the Master found it expedient to alter his determination, and insist less strongly upon the privileges of I1Ì9 fraternity. Brother Walter du Mesnil «as deli • Jac. de VUr. Hist. Orient, lib. iii. p. 1142. WW. Tyr. lib. %x. cap. 32. t Aiijecit etiam et alia a spirita supertite, quo ipse plurimum uliur»lalat. dictate, One ^ncM-'nti immitioni ne niultum nccebjtariuni cat uiteieererc-—Witt Tyr. li!. xx. Cap, 32.