Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brief History Of The Religious And Military Order Of The Knights Templars Of St. John Of Jerusalem.
win commenced the siege of Ascalon , a place of the utmost consequence to the infidels . The siege was long , and attended with considerable losses to the Christians , while little impression was made upon the place , which was naturally strong and well defended . A circumstance attended this memorable siege which placed the valour of the Templars in the most honourable light , at the same time that their manner of improving the advantage they obtained ,
redounded no way to the credit of their discretion ; at least if the story is accurately related by the chroniclers of that period . Those knights , who seemed to have been wise only in schemes of destruction , invented a wooden tower on wheels , and p laced it as near the walls as they could ; on the top they had a draw-bridge , which being let down brought those who had courage enough to
ventureupon it still closer to the enemy , whom they annoyed in a dreadful manner . At length they brought their machine so near to the walls as to be capable of descending from the bridge into the place , It was the interest of the besieged to destroy this formidable work ; accordingly , in the nig ht before the machine was to be brought close to the walls , they placed a large quantity of combustibles near to it ,
and then set the mass on fire ; On the ascent of the flames the knights hastened to the . place , and-at their arrival were agreeably surprised to find that , instead of burning the tower , the- fire had causeda consider rable breach iii . the wail . - ' On informing their Grand Master Bernard of this favourable incident , a detachment of the order was dispatched to effect an entrance . The scaling ladders were lacedand the knights rushed through the
p , breach sword in hand . The garrison in the utmost consternation must have yielded the place , but the Christians abandoned their advantage to obtain plunder . While engaged in this avaricious work , the infidels rallied , and attacked them with superior numbers , and with the fu ry of revenge . Victory now shifted sides , and a few only of the knights escaped ignominiously by the way they entered . Thus by their
ungenerous imprudence they lost the opportunity of a most glorious conquest . The day following the garrison made a vigorous sally , and the battle was one of the most obstinate that was ever fought . After a long , bloody , and dubious contest , the infidels were completely routed ; and this was chiefly owing to the valour of the Templars , who were animated by more than their usual courage , in order to regain their lost credit .
This was soon followed by the surrender of the city , on terms highly favourable to the inhabitants and the garrison , who were ail sent to Laris , according to agreement , August 20 , 1154 . ( To be continued . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brief History Of The Religious And Military Order Of The Knights Templars Of St. John Of Jerusalem.
win commenced the siege of Ascalon , a place of the utmost consequence to the infidels . The siege was long , and attended with considerable losses to the Christians , while little impression was made upon the place , which was naturally strong and well defended . A circumstance attended this memorable siege which placed the valour of the Templars in the most honourable light , at the same time that their manner of improving the advantage they obtained ,
redounded no way to the credit of their discretion ; at least if the story is accurately related by the chroniclers of that period . Those knights , who seemed to have been wise only in schemes of destruction , invented a wooden tower on wheels , and p laced it as near the walls as they could ; on the top they had a draw-bridge , which being let down brought those who had courage enough to
ventureupon it still closer to the enemy , whom they annoyed in a dreadful manner . At length they brought their machine so near to the walls as to be capable of descending from the bridge into the place , It was the interest of the besieged to destroy this formidable work ; accordingly , in the nig ht before the machine was to be brought close to the walls , they placed a large quantity of combustibles near to it ,
and then set the mass on fire ; On the ascent of the flames the knights hastened to the . place , and-at their arrival were agreeably surprised to find that , instead of burning the tower , the- fire had causeda consider rable breach iii . the wail . - ' On informing their Grand Master Bernard of this favourable incident , a detachment of the order was dispatched to effect an entrance . The scaling ladders were lacedand the knights rushed through the
p , breach sword in hand . The garrison in the utmost consternation must have yielded the place , but the Christians abandoned their advantage to obtain plunder . While engaged in this avaricious work , the infidels rallied , and attacked them with superior numbers , and with the fu ry of revenge . Victory now shifted sides , and a few only of the knights escaped ignominiously by the way they entered . Thus by their
ungenerous imprudence they lost the opportunity of a most glorious conquest . The day following the garrison made a vigorous sally , and the battle was one of the most obstinate that was ever fought . After a long , bloody , and dubious contest , the infidels were completely routed ; and this was chiefly owing to the valour of the Templars , who were animated by more than their usual courage , in order to regain their lost credit .
This was soon followed by the surrender of the city , on terms highly favourable to the inhabitants and the garrison , who were ail sent to Laris , according to agreement , August 20 , 1154 . ( To be continued . )