Chapter 182: Chapter 182 - Letters and Reactions
September 19th, 1181 - Jerusalem
The sun rose over Jerusalem like a benediction, washing the pale stone of the city in a golden light. By the morning after Baldwin and Constance’s wedding, the streets were already thronged with people — merchants opening their stalls, priests making their rounds, and citizens standing in clusters, their conversations buzzing with the events of the previous night.
Word of the King’s miraculous healing had spread faster than even the most rapid courier could have carried it. Those who had attended the wedding recounted, breathless, the moment when the light had enveloped Baldwin and Constance in the Holy Sepulchre, and the transformation that followed. By dawn, pilgrims from distant lands had arrived in droves, seeking a glimpse of the king and his bride, hoping to witness for themselves the evidence of divine favor.
In the marketplaces, the reactions varied but shared a common thread of awe.
"It is a miracle," one merchant whispered to his neighbor, his eyes wide. "I have seen the king before — pale, wrapped in bandages, hands gnarled by leprosy. And now he walks as a man of flesh and blood, unblemished."
A group of pilgrims from Europe knelt in the middle of the street, raising their arms in prayer. "Praise be to God!" one cried. "Blessed is Jerusalem, chosen among cities, for its king is touched by Heaven!"
Even the Saracen merchants, though cautious, could not deny the impression. Many silently crossed themselves or inclined their heads, murmuring prayers in Arabic for the mercy and power that could heal such a man. Children pressed close to the procession of couriers bringing news of Baldwin and Constance to all corners of the city, their parents telling tales of divine intervention, ensuring the story would live in memory.
Along the newly built roads of liquid stone, which gleamed even in the morning sun, citizens gathered to watch as Baldwin, flanked by guards, inspected the preparations for the post-wedding celebrations. His gait was confident and free of pain, drawing gasps and whispers of reverence. People knelt spontaneously, some crossing themselves, others lifting their arms as though to shield themselves from the overwhelming holiness that seemed to radiate from the king.
Inside the grand halls of the Patriarchate, Patriarch Heraclius convened a council of senior clergy: bishops, abbots, and priests who oversaw the spiritual life of Jerusalem. The weight of the previous night’s events pressed heavily on their minds. Baldwin’s healing was no ordinary recovery. The miracle had occurred in the most sacred space in Christendom — the Holy Sepulchre — and had involved not just the King, but his bride, Constance, who had been transformed in stature and grace, equally recognized as blessed.
"Have you all seen the reports?" the Patriarch asked, voice grave yet tinged with wonder. "Witnesses abound. Baldwin, healed of leprosy. Constance, elevated by divine favor. This is not merely a blessing — it is a sign."
Bishop Matthew of Bethlehem nodded. "It is clear, Your Holiness, that God has intervened directly in the affairs of Jerusalem. Such a miracle cannot go unrecorded or unshared. The Holy See must know of it, lest doubts arise in Christendom."
Abbot Theophilus, who oversaw the Abbey of Saint Anne, leaned forward. "And yet, we must tread carefully. A miracle of this magnitude will bring eyes and hearts from all lands. Pilgrims, yes, but also kings, princes, and envoys who may seek to manipulate the story for their own gain. We must ensure that our account is accurate, reverent, and verifiable."
Patriarch Heraclius lifted a hand, silencing the murmurs. "Then we shall dispatch a formal letter to His Holiness, the Pope. We will include witness testimony, scrolls of sworn declarations from those present in the Sepulchre, and an account of the King’s current state — healthy, whole, without a trace of leprosy. The letter must convey the miracle, the blessing upon the Queen, and the implications for the Kingdom of Jerusalem."
The patriarch appointed a committee of scribes and clerics to draft the missive. Archdeacon Matthew of Bethlehem, known for his clarity of expression, led the effort. Brother Anselm of the Hospitallers, who had personally observed Baldwin’s miraculous recovery, was tasked with providing the medical account, detailing the king’s prior condition and the impossibility of such healing by natural means.
Each witness was interviewed in turn. Constance’s retinue provided testimony of her comportment, her aura of grace, and the immediate recognition of her blessed state. Balian of Ibelin and other noble witnesses attested to Baldwin’s newfound strength, the absence of lesions or scars, and the vigor that had returned to his limbs.
The clerics debated the language of the letter carefully. It had to convey awe without exaggeration, reverence without doubt, and truth without embellishment. The Pope, they knew, was a discerning man who had received countless reports of miracles. If any aspect seemed fanciful, it could invite disbelief or even suspicion.
"We must emphasize," Patriarch Heraclius said, "that the miracle occurred at the Holy Sepulchre, in the presence of many witnesses, and not in secret. Let them know that all Jerusalem bore witness, from the nobility to the common folk. The entire city is rejoicing and united in gratitude."
Outside the palace, the city’s response continued to unfold. Feasts were organized along the newly built concrete roads, with tables stretching down from the Tower of David into the heart of the city. The aroma of roasting lamb and freshly baked bread filled the air. Ale and wine flowed freely, provided by the crown for all citizens.
Musicians played triumphant melodies on flutes, lutes, and drums, while children ran between the tables waving banners adorned with the crosses of Jerusalem and Sicily. The Sicilian contingent, accompanying Constance, added their own colors and emblems, integrating with the local customs in a celebration of unity and blessing.
Even those who had been skeptical the night before — merchants, artisans, and soldiers — found themselves caught in the wave of awe. The miracle had transformed not just the king, but the perception of the kingdom itself. The people whispered among themselves that Jerusalem was now a city truly favored by God, a place where Heaven touched the earth in undeniable ways.
Back in the Patriarchate, the bishops and priests debated the broader implications of the miracle. Baldwin’s health meant that the kingdom could endure under strong leadership, but it also carried political and spiritual weight. The king’s authority, already strengthened by conquest and reform, was now imbued with divine sanction. Any rebellion, any attempt to undermine the crown, would be viewed not merely as treason, but as defiance against God Himself.
"This miracle," Bishop Matthew said, "must be framed not only as a gift to the king, but as a sign to all Christians. Jerusalem is renewed. Its ruler is strong. The faithful must recognize the hand of God in our midst."
"And yet," Abbot Theophilus cautioned, "we must also remind them that miracles demand responsibility. Baldwin and Constance have been blessed, but this blessing calls them to just governance, to protection of the weak, to upholding the faith and the laws of the land. Their deeds must match the favor they have received."
The patriarch nodded. "Indeed. That will be the message to the Holy See. Let them know that the King and Queen will govern wisely, with piety and justice, in the name of God and for the good of the realm."
By mid-afternoon, scribes and clerics gathered in the Patriarchate’s scriptorium, illuminated by sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows. Scrolls were prepared on paper, carefully inked with precise script. Seals of the Patriarchate and of the Kingdom were affixed, a guarantee of authenticity.
Archdeacon Matthew took the lead in composing the letter:
"To His Holiness, the Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ on Earth, we send greetings in the Lord’s name. Let it be known that by the grace of God, our sovereign, King Baldwin of Jerusalem, who suffered for many years from the affliction of leprosy, has been restored to full health by divine favor. This miracle occurred within the sacred confines of the Holy Sepulchre, witnessed by clergy, nobles, and faithful from across the kingdom. The Queen, Constance of Sicily, has likewise been blessed with an aura of grace, her virtues illuminated for the service of God and the realm. We send this missive so that your Holiness may rejoice with us and witness the hand of Providence at work in the Holy Land."
Each clause was scrutinized, every word weighed for theological and political precision. Once completed, the scrolls were sealed, tied with cords of gold and crimson, and entrusted to envoys bound for Rome, chosen for their reliability and knowledge of courtly protocol.
As the news of Baldwin’s healing and the Queen’s blessing spread, the city of Jerusalem moved as though under a new rhythm. Pilgrims thronged the gates, knights rode through the streets proclaiming the miracle, and merchants offered free bread and wine in honor of the King’s recovery. Children mimicked the procession from the previous night, waving miniature flags and chanting hymns.
Even soldiers stationed along the newly constructed roads and watchtowers paused to bow their heads in prayer. Baldwin’s reforms, already strengthening the administration of the kingdom, were now underpinned by