AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1249. 



Saracens in all Egypt, Anno 1249. and having fortified 

 the Citie with an able garrison left with the Duke of 

 Burgundie, he remooved his tents from thence to goe 

 Eastward. In whose armie followed William Long- 

 espee, accompanied with a piked number of English 

 warriors retaining unto him. But such was the disdaine 

 of the Frenchmen against this William Longespee and 

 the Englishmen that they could not abide them, but 

 flouted them after an opprobrious maner with English 

 tailes, insomuch that the French king himselfe had much 

 adoe to keepe peace betweene them. 



The original! cause of this grudge betweene them 

 began thus. There was not farre from Alexandria in 

 Egypt a strong fort or castle replenished with great 

 A fort won by Ladies and rich treasure of the Saracens : which hold 

 the English- j^. chanced the sayd William Longespee with his com- 

 pany of English soldiers to get, more by politique 

 dexteritie then by open force of armes, wherwith he 

 & his retinue were greatly enriched. When the French- 

 men had knowledge hereof (they not being made privie 

 hereto) began to conceive an heart burning against the 

 English souldiers, & could not speake well of them 

 after that. 



It hapned againe not long after, that the sayd William 

 had intelligence of a company of rich merchants among 

 the Saracens going to a certaine Faire about the parts 

 of Alexandria, having their camels, asses and mules, 

 richly loden with silkes, precious jewels, spices, gold 

 & silver, with cart loades of other wares, beside 

 victuall and other furniture, whereof the souldiers then 

 J rich bootie stood in great need : he having secret knowledge 

 teEnZh^ hereof, gathered all the power of Englishmen unto him 

 J^^^ ^ that he could, and so by night falling upon the mer- 

 chants, some he slew with their guides and conducters, 

 some hee tooke, some hee put to flight : the carts with 

 the drivers, and with the oxen, camels, asses and mules, 

 with the whole cariage and victuals he tooke & brought 

 with him, loosing in all the skirmish but one souldier, 



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