About this time king Philip of France quitted Paris, accompanied by the king of Bohemia, the king of Navarre, and a numerous company of dukes, earls, and other lords - for he kept a sumptuous table, and at great expense - to visit his kingdom. After passing through Burgundy, he came to Avignon, where he was most honourably received by pope Benedict, and by all the college of cardinals, who treated him as magnificently as they could. He remained some time with the holy father and the cardinals, and was lodged at Villneuve, out of the town. The king of Arragon came also at this time to the court of Rome, to witness these entertainments. There were great feasts and solemnities at their meeting, and they all remained there the whole of Lent.
Whilst they were there, certain intelligence came to the court of Rome, that the enemies of God were marching in great force against the Holy Land, and had reconquered almost the whole kingdom of Rasse1. and taken the king, who had been baptized, and put him to the most cruel death. the infidels threatened the holy church and all Christendom. The holy father preached, on the sacred festival of Good Friday, before these two kings, on the sufferings of our Saviour, and exhorted them greatly to put on the cross against these Saracens. the king of France was so much affected, that he took the cross, and entreated the pope to grant him his consent, which he did, and confirmed it by giving him absolution for all sins and faults, if confessed and truly repented of, and did the same with all who should accompany him on this holy expedition. The kings of Bohemia and Navarre, and the king of Arragon, put on the cross, as well as a number of dukes, barons and other nobles, who were there: the cardinals of Naples, of Ostia, and the cardinal Blanc, adopted it also. The croisade was preached and published all over the world, which gave much pleasure to many, especially those who wished to spend their time in feats of arms, and who at that time did not know where to otherwise employ themselves.
After the king of France and the lords above named had spent a considerable time with the pope, and had settled and managed the business, they took their leave and departed. The king of Arragon returned into his own country. The king of France and his companions went to Montpelier, where they remained a long time. During his stay there king Philip completed the peace which was in agitation between the king of Arragon and Majorca. After having finished this he set out on his return towards Paris, by short days journeys, and at much expense, visiting his towns and castles, of which he had great numbers. He passed through the provinces of Auvergne, Berry, Beauce, and Gatois, and came to Paris, where he was received with much joy.
The kingdom of France was at that time powerful, rich, and compact, the inhabitants at their ease, and wealthy, and no talk of war. This croisade, which the noble king of france had undertaken to lead beyond sea, and of which he had declared himself chief, was followed by many lords, and by some of them through devotion. King Philip made the greatest and most magnificent preparations that were ever seen to pass the seas; - those of the time of Godfrey of Boulougne, or any others, were not to be compared to them. He had engaged and placed in the different ports of Marseilles, Aiguesmortes, and Narbonne, and in the neighborhood of Montpelier, such a quantity of ships, carracks, galleys, and barges, as might transport forty thousand men and their stores. He laid in a large stock of biscuit, wines, fresh water, salt meat, and all other provisions, in such plenty, that there might be sufficient, even if they remained there three years.
He sent ambassadors to the king of Hungary, who was a right valiant man, to request that he would make himself ready, and open his country to the pilgrims of God. The king of Hungary consented to it, and very willingly returned to him the answer that he was prepared. in the same manner the king sent information to the king of Cyprus, Hugh de Lusignan, and to the king of Sicily, who made to this end the necessary preparations. the king sent also to the Venetians, to beg that their frontiers might be opened, and sufficient guards and provisions collected, which they complied with, as did the Genoese, and all that coast. He despatched the great prior of France to into the island of Rhodes to make preparations there; and the knights of St. John made an agreement with the Venetians for them to victual the island of Candia, which was under their dependence. In short, there were proper provisions made every where to receive the pilgrims of God; and upwards of three hundred thousand persons put on the cross, to undertake this holy voyage beyond the sea.