The International Prester John Project: How A Global Legend Was Created Across Six Centuries

Jacques de Vitry's Letter II

In 1217, Jacques wrote to ecclesiastical authorities in Europe as well as to friends at the University of Paris ab

​​​​​​But now in the city of Acre, I often look back with tears at the sea and await the arrival of pilgrims with great longing. Indeed, I believe that if we had 4,000 men of arms, through God's favour we would not be able to find anyone strong enough to resist us. Indeed, there is a great discord amongst the Saracens, and many of them, knowing their error for certain, if they dared to and had the help of Christians, they would be converted to the Lord. I also believe that the Christians living amongst the Saracens are greater in number than the Saracens [themselves]. Also, many Christian kings living in the Eastern regions up to the land of Prester John, hearing of the arrival of the crusaders [crucesignatorum], would come to their help and go to war with the Saracens. Also, the Saracens are greatly divided amongst themselves, because they have many and various sects.