Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/90

64 led on by Richard of England himself, and eventually his efforts were crowned with success, the place being forced to surrender.

Hither, as soon as order was in some degree restored, the Hospitallers removed their convent from Margat, and it was in their new establishment in this city that Ermengard flaps died in the year 1192. The siege of Acre is notable for the formation of a fourth military Order, which, during its progress, was called into existence. This fraternity received the name of the Teutonic Order, and was composed exclusively of Germans. They wore a white mantle with a black cross embroidered in gold, and their rules were very similar to those of the Templars.

The capture of Acre led to no further successes on the part of the crusaders. Dissensions, such as must ever arise in a force composed of so many differing elements, soon sprang up, and the length of time during which the siege had been protracted cooled the enthusiasm of the army. Some of its leaders, on various pretexts, had already returned to Europe, and the termination of the siege led to the departure of many of the remainder. In vain Richard strove to keep together the rapidly dissolving fragments of the force; not even his energy and perseverance could overcome the reluctance with which further operations were contemplated. He was at length, much against his will, driven to conclude a truce with Saladin, and to abandon the cause which he had so much at heart, and in which he personally had reaped so much distinction.

Ermengard Daps was succeeded by Godfrey de uisson, whose lineage and nation are somewhat uncertain, though it is generally thought that he came from Picardy. Shortly after his accession an event occurred which for a few years gave a little breathing time to the shattered relics of the Latin kingdom. Saladin, the renowned enemy of the Christians, who had so often routed their forces, and who had torn the sacred city from their grasp, died in the year 1193, leaving his empire to be divided among his eleven sons. As may readily be imagined, such a disposition of his power soon kindled the flames of civil commotion from end to end of the newly-consolidated Saracen empire. Had this internecine warfare been permitted to continue for any length of time it is possible that the Latins might have succeeded in re-establishing themselves