File:The crusaders; or, Scenes, events, and characters, from the times of the crusades (1859) (14596852919).jpg

Identifier: crusadersorscene00keig (find matches)
Title: The crusaders; or, Scenes, events, and characters, from the times of the crusades
Year: 1859 (1850s)
Authors: Keightley, Thomas, 1789-1872
Subjects: Crusades
Publisher: London J.W. Parker
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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sacred the inhabitants and made prisoners the son and
the nephew of Shawer. He then advanced against Cairo,
which if attacked at once would probably have fallen; but
the avarice of the king, who thought he should gain more
by a large ransom for his prisoners than would fall to hiss
hare in the plunder of the city, saved the residence of
the khaleefeh. A large sum was in effect offered by
Shawer, part of it paid, hostages given for the remainder,
and the prisoners had been released, when the Christians,
who had retired at the desire of the vizier to some dis-
tance from Cairo, learned that Sheerkoo was approaching
through the desert with a numerous army.
Shawer, who had only sought to gain time, had re-
solved on the hazardous expedient of calling on Noor-ed-
deen for aid; the khaleefeh had himself written to the
Turkish prince, enclosing after the Oriental fashion, some
of the hair of his wives, to denote that they also were
supplicants to him, and Noor-ed-deen resolved to send
Sheerkoo with an army far superior in number to those
Text Appearing After Image:
Gate of Victory in Cairo.

1162-70.] DEATH OF SULTAN SHAWER. 359

which he had formerly led thither, and well supplied with
money and all other necessaries. Saladin was with the
utmost difficulty induced to attend his uncle. In the
very presence of Noor-ed-deen he said, By God, if all
Egypt was to become mine, I would not go thither again,
for I suffered such privations in Alexandria that I shall
never forget them while I live. He was however obliged
to obey, and Noor-ed-deen supplied him with money for
his outfit. Often afterwards when speaking of it he said,
" I went as if it were to death.

Amalric, on hearing of the approach of Sheerkoo, led
his army back to Belbeis, and advanced in the desert to
meet him; but finding that he had taken another route,
and learning the number of the Turkish host, he deemed
it madness to think of opposing them ; and he led home
his knights covered with shame and infamy.

DEATH OF SULTAN SHAWER.

SHEERKOO, on his arrival at Cairo, was received with
the greatest demonstrations of honour.

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