The Kingdom of Outremer

[Northnovas]

Karl Zirn:

King Salier I come to report that the Crusade ended successfully with very little casualties on our part. Jerusalem is is safe hands. I hope we can properly defend it for the Christian faithful to return to the city.

I must say my King that I am disappointed in myself. It was truly an honour to lead the men to victory and to have the young nobles involved in the battle. Matthias truly lead like a knight and took command of the calvary as it ran through the streets chasing the enemy. I must say the von Hamburg also represented himself and his House well. He is less outspoken on the battlefield then in the Diet and carried out all assigned orders.

What I am disappointed in is the command I gave the troops to sack the city. The battle was over and has I carried on through the streets I was overwhelmed by the condition of the city held by the captures. I rode up to the Church of the Nativity and there I saw the graffiti all over the church. I was truly horrified and anger rose in me that someone must pay. It was at that moment a captain rode up and asked for the general orders to stand down the troops.

What should have been a standard order to occupy I ordered the city sacked to pay for the damages that were done. Shortly after my rage was gone, the troops were stood down. There was some repayment by the city and that money was channeled into repair cost of the city. Only some criminals and government officials were executed. Regardless of their faith none of the civilian population was touched.

I am sorry if I offended you or put disrespect on the Outremer and Crusade. I humbly apologize and will relieve my command of the garrison in Jerusalem and return to Damascus.