and glory of Jesus Christ," besieged a fortress of thè infidels in Hiatus» « the neighbourhood of Antioch. lie refused to retreat before a A. » . 1237 superior force, and was surrounded and overwhelmed ; a hundred knights of the Temple and three hundred cross-bowmen were slain, together with many secular warriors, and a large number of foot soldiers. The Balcanifer, or standard-bearer, on this occa sion, was an English Knight Templar, named Reginald d'Ar gentòn, who performed prodigies of valour. lie was disabled and covered with wounds, yet he unflinchingly bore the Beau seant, or war-banner, aloft with his bleeding arms into the thickest of the fight, until he at last fell dead upon a heap of his slaughtered comrades. The Preceptor of Antioeb, before he was slain, " sent sateen infidels tu hell."* As soon as the Templars in England heard of this disaster, they sent, in conjunction with the Hospitallers, instant succour to their brethren. "The Templars and the Hospitallers," says Matthew Paris, " eagerly prepared to avenge the blood of their brethren so gallantly poured fortli in the cause of Christ. The Hospitallers appointed Brother Theodore, their prior, a most valiant .soldier, to lead a band of knights and of stipendiary ti oops, with an immense treasure, to the succour of the Holy Land. Having made their arrangements, they all started from the house of the Hospitallers at Cierkenwell in London, and passed through the city with spears held aloft, shields displayed, and banners advanced. They marched in splendid pomp to the bridge, and sought a blessing from all who crowded to see them pass. The * Cecidil autcm in ilio infausto certamine illuhtrifi miles Teroplarius, Aiiglieui iifitione, Ileginaldus de Argentomio, eâ die liaicanii'er ·, . . . indeieBSlia vero vcxiUum Bustinebat, donee tibiae cum cruribus ct manibus frangeroDtur, Solus quoque eorum Preceptor priusquam trucidaretur, Bexdecim iio&tium ad inferos dtssdnavit.—Μπ/ί. l'or, p. 143, ad ann. 1237. M