The Angevins and the Charter (1154-1216): The Beginning of English Law, the Invasion of Ireland and the Crusades
History
The Angevins and the Charter (1154-1216): The Beginning of English Law, the Invasion of Ireland and the Crusades
Great Britain -- History -- Angevin period, 1154-1216 -- Sources; Magna Carta
60. Now as the ships were proceeding in the aforesaid manner and order,
some being before others, two of the three first, driven by the violence
of the winds, were broken on the rocks near the port of Cyprus; the
third, which was English, more speedy than they, having turned back into
the deep, escaped the peril. Almost all the men of both ships got away
alive to land, many of whom the hostile Cypriotes slew, some they took
captive, some, taking refuge in a certain church, were besieged.
Whatever also in the ships was cast up by the sea, fell a prey to the
Cypriotes.... God so willed that the cursed people should receive the
reward of their evil deeds by the hands of one who would not spare. The
third English ship, in which were the women, having cast out its
anchors, rode out at sea, and watched all things from opposite, to
report the misfortune to the King, lest haply, being ignorant of the
loss and disgrace, he should pass the place unrevenged. The next line of
the King's ships came up after the other, and they all stopped at the
first. A full report reached the King, who, sending heralds to the lord
of the island, and obtaining no satisfaction, commanded his entire army
to arm, from the first even to the last, and to get out of the great
ships into the galleys and boats, and follow him to the shore. What he
commanded, was immediately performed; they came in arms to the port. The
King being armed, leaped first from his galley, and gave the first blow
in the war; but before he was able to strike a second, he had three
thousand of his followers with him, striking away by his side. All the
timber that had been placed as a barricade in the port was cast down
instantly, and the brave fellows went up into the city, as ferocious as
lionesses are wont to be when robbed of their young. The fight was
carried on manfully against them, numbers fell down wounded on both
sides, and the swords of both parties were made drunk with blood. The
Cypriotes are vanquished, the city is taken, with the castle besides;
whatever the victors choose is ransacked, and the lord of the island is
himself taken and brought to the King. He, being taken, supplicates and
obtains pardon; he offers homage to the King, and it is received; and he
swears, though unasked, that henceforth he will hold the island of him
as his liege lord, and will open all the castles of the land to him,
make satisfaction for the damage already done; and further, bring
presents of his own. On being dismissed after the oath, he is commanded
to fulfil the conditions in the morning.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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