After Damietta: exhortations

When Frederick II took the cross in Aachen on 25 July 1215, during his second coronation as King of the Romans, he did so ‘in the manner of a crusader, exhorted his followers to do likewise, and spent the following day, a Sunday, in the cathedral from dawn to dusk, listening to crusade sermons’. David Abulafia suggests that this act sprang not only from religious conviction and gratitude to God for His blessings, but also from subtle statesmanship. Frederick had acted without papal approval, implying that the leadership of the crusade lay at least as much with the secular arm as with the spiritual. As time would further show, he was not a ‘great respecter of papal control over the crusading movement’.

His solemn commitment was followed by years of delay, due to his political concerns in Germany and Sicily. Innocent III granted him leave to postpone his expedition until he had put the affairs in Germany in order. His successor, Honorius III, regarded Frederick's promises as genuine and sent messages to the crusaders in Egypt telling them to expect his army, and in November 1220 crowned him and his wife Constance Emperor and Empress. In return Frederick definitely promised to set out for the East next spring, but delayed again. On 30 August 1221 the defeated Christians agreed to abandon Damietta, which they did on 7 September, and to observe an eight-year truce.

Between this time and the summer of 1222 the troubadour Peirol made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, possibly having been present at the final loss of Damietta on 7 September 1221 and visiting the Holy Land after the Christians vacated the city. On his way home to Marseille he composed a song of thanks to God for letting him visit the holy places (BdT 366.28). Elation at his experiences blends with personal reminiscences, including some interaction with local Muslims. He singles out for particular mention the non-knightly brethren attached to the military orders, perhaps because he mixed with them.