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		Ernoul the Frank
The basis for much of what we know about Ernoul the Frank is drawn from his surviving chronicle of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. His work purports to cover the period from Latin Jerusalem's beginning until the era of the Third Crusade, which is the author's stated focus.  Scholars believe that the so-called Chronicle of Ernoul was authored by Enroul, and that he was a Frank, in part because the text claims as much. It is during the author's description of the battle of Nazareth that Ernoul is cited as Balian of Ibelin's servant and the author of the text. In addition to the textual reference to Ernoul as the author, the description of the battle of Hattin was recorded in excellent detail, as likely only someone who witnessed the event could record. Certainly Balian was present at the battle of Hattin as were his squires.Additionally, there are at least three other texts from the time that refer to an Ernoul connected with the Ibelin dynasty. These sources including the Histoire de l'ile de Chypre, Le Livre de Phillippe de Navarre, and the Eracles.As a result, there is little reason to doubt Ernoul's authorship. Ernoul is valuable as a source because he would have been an eyewitness to the most important events leading to the Third Crusade including the battle of Hattin and the surrender of Jerusalem to Saladin. Yet it is also curious to note that the author seems to have used other sources in the writing of his history of these events. Ernoul's work was translated from French into Latin and circulated as far as England soon after its completion in 1220. Although Ernoul's authorship appears to have ended around by 1220,  another author made additions which recorded events up to 1229. As a result, although the focus of the Chronicle is events related to the Third Crusade, it offers details on the Fourth Crusade, the Fifth Crusade, and some details of the war between Frederick II and Jean de Brienne Ernoul the Frank: Ernoul, The Battle of Hattin, 1187 Cornell University Third Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia Primary Sources of the Third Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia Balian of Ibelin- Crusades-Encyclopedia Battle of Nazareth- Crusades-Encyclopedia Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem- Crusades-Encyclopedia (c) Andrew Holt, June 2005- Permission is granted for electronic copying and distribution in print for educational and personal use. No permission is granted for commercial use.