Λ solemn attestation of tbe genuineness of tbis precious relic, WOUAM ΠΚ signed by the patriarch of Jerusalem, and the bishops, the abbots,. 1249. n and the barons of the Holy Land, was forwarded to London for the satisfaction of the kiug and his subjects, and was deposited, together with the vase aud its inestimable contents, in the cathedral church of Saint 1'anl.* In the month of June, A.D. 1249, the galleys of the Templars left Acre with a strong body *f forces on board, and joined the expedition undertaken by the French king, Louis IX. , against Egypt. The following account of the capture of Damietta was forwarded to the Master of the Temple at London. " Brother William de Sonnac, by the grace of God Master of the poor chivalry of the Temple, to his beloved brother in Christ, Bobert de Sanford, Preceptor of England, salvation in the Lord. " W e hasten to unfold to you by these presents agreeable and happy intelligence . . . (He details the lauding of the French, the defeat of the infidels with the loss of one christian soldier, and the subsequent capture of the city.) " Damietta, therefore, has been taken, not by our deserts, nor by the might of our armed bands, but through the divine power and assistance. Moreover, he it known to you that king Louis, with God's favour, proposes to march upon Alexandria or Cairo for the purpose of delivering our brethren there detained in captivity, and of reducing, with God's help, the whole land to the christian worship. Farewell." f The Lord dc Joinville, the friend of king Louis, and one of the bravest of the French captarne, gives a lively and most in teresting account of the campaign, and of the famous exploits of the Templars. During the march towards Cairo, they led the van of the christian army, and on one occasion, when the king of France had given strict orders that no attack should be made upon the infidels, and that an engagement should he avoided, a * Mutt. Par. p. 73*». t 11». in ndditamcnlt*. p. ]6fl, ΙίίΠ.