“And my brother of France,” cried the King, “how fared he?” “He had as narrow an escape with his life,” answered the knight, “as ever had Christian king.  His mantle, nay his very hair was singed, and as for his cross-bow, he was constrained to leave it behind.”  “And he gave commands for the assault in his anger?” said the King. “’Tis even so,” answered Sir Hugh.

“My brother of France is, methinks, too greedy of gain and glory; if he had been willing to ask our help, he had done better.”  But King Richard sorrowed for the brave men, fellow-soldiers of the Cross with him, who had fallen to no purpose.  Nevertheless, in his secret heart, he was not ill-pleased that the French King had not taken the town of Acre.

On the second day after the failure of the French assault upon the town, King Richard would make his own essay.  He was not yet wholly recovered of his sickness; but it would have passed the wit of man to devise means by which he could be kept within his pavilion; nor must it be forgotten that such restraint might have done him more of harm than of good.  So his physicians, for he had those who regularly waited on him (though I make bold to say that he trusted in me rather than in them), gave him the permission which he had taken.  He had caused a mantlet to be built for him which was brought up to the edge of the ditch with which the town was surrounded.  In this he sat, with a cross-bow in hand, and shot not a few of the enemy, being skilful beyond the common in the use of this weapon.  But towns are not taken by the shooting of bolts, howsoever well aimed they may be.  This may not be done save by coming to close quarters.

It was on the thirty-fourth day after the coming of King Richard that the town was given up.  Proclamation was made throughout the camp that no one should trespass by deed or word against the departing Turks.  And, indeed, he who would insult men so brave would be of a poor and churlish spirit.  To the last they bore themselves with great courage and dignity.  On the morning of the day of their departure they dressed themselves in their richest apparel, and being so drest showed themselves on the walls.  This done, they laid aside their garments, piling them in a great heap in the market-place, and so marched forth from the town, each clad in his shirt only, but with a most cheerful contenance.

When the last of the Turks had left the town the Christian army entered.  Half of it was given to the French king, who had for his own abode the House of the Templars, and half to King Richard, to whom was assigned the palace of the Caliph.  In like manner the prisoners and all the treasure were equally divided.