Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/67

Rh A true type of the Christian, the soldier, and the gentleman, he lived to see his every ambition fulfilled, and the Order on which all his hopes had been centred take a leading place amidst the chivalry of Europe. It was at some time during his rule that the magnificent pile forming the new hospital and convent was erected. The precise date of the work is uncertain, but it was probably between the years 1130 and 1150. Details of this building, as well as of those which with it formed the establishment of the Order at Jerusalem, will be found in the next chapter.

The rule of the two Masters who succeeded him were both brief and uneventful. During the short administration of Auger de Balben, Baldwin III. was gathered to his fathers, universally regretted by his subjects, who could ill spare the guidance of his commanding genius. He was succeeded by his brother Almeric. That prince was much indebted to the good offices of Auger for his peaceable accession to the throne, his claims having been for a time the subject of much dispute. Arnaud de Comps, a member of a noble family of Dauphiné, succeeded Auger de Balben in the year 1162. During his short government an expedition into Egypt was undertaken by Aimeric, accompanied by the Hospitallers and Templars. A quarrel had arisen between the caliph of Egypt and Noureddin, the leader of the Turcomans. The latter had in consequence invaded Egypt, and the caliph appealed to Almeric for assistance. This was granted, and in return Almeric succeeded in extorting an annual tribute from the caliph.

This being the only result of the undertaking the expedition could scarcely be considered one of importance. There were, however, two noteworthy events connected with it. It was in this war that Saladin, whose career afterwards became so fatal to the Christian cause, made his first appearance on the field of battle, and showed the earliest gleams of that martial spirit which was destined eventually to make his name so renowned. Some of the older historians record that at the close of the siege of Alexandria, which was ended by the declaration of peace, Saladin, who had conducted the defence with great skill, demanded of the besiegers the honour of knighthood, which request, notwithstanding his religion, was complied with, as a