Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/77

Rh made of the attachment which the father of the latter had always shown towards the Christians. Edward compliments him on his laudable intention of arming against the Soldan of Babylon, in aid of the Holy Land, and of the Christian faith; thanks him for the offer of horses and other necessaries for his army, whenever he shall reach the Holy Land; and assures him, that as soon as he can obtain the assent of the Roman Pontiff to the passage of himself and his army beyond sea, he will take care to certify him thereof through his own envoys, by whom he will also send him some gerfalcons and "other jewels of our land," as Arghun had requested of him.

Although in this letter Edward expresses his wish to undertake another crusade, and it is certain he was under a solemn engagement to do so, which Pope Nicholas was now constantly urging him to fulfil, it may be doubted if his professions were sincere; but whatever his views in that respect, he was suddenly and entirely diverted from them by the question which almost immediately arose of the succession to the Scottish throne, and the circumstances attending it, which offered him a nearer, and long desired, field for the employment of his arms and money.

It appears, however, that Edward kept his word, and actually sent envoys to the Moghul sovereign soon after the departure of Buscarelli; they joined the latter at Genoa, and travelled thence with him, his nephew Conrad, and Percival de Gisolfi to the Persian court; the name of the English ambassador was Geoffrey de Langley, who was attended by two esquires, one of whom was Nicholas de Chartres. I write with extracts before me from the original roll of their Itinerary, kindly communicated by my friend, Mr. Burtt, of the Chapter-house, Westminster.