“
The Tyrians were now suffering most severely from hunger. As they gathered in their meeting-places, they began to discuss how they might put an end to the troubles they were undergoing: saying it was better to surrender the city to the enemy, and to be able to go as free men to other cities of their people, rather than to waste away from hunger, rather than to see their wives and their children be destroyed by famine and to be unable to succour them. At length after discussions of this kind had been held among the common people, by general agreement the matter was reported to the elders and the governors of the city, and to the general public. When the entire city was assembled, the matter was conscientiously put forward and discussed in a public meeting. Everyone's mind was made up: put an end to so great an evil and arrive at a peace settlement whatever the outcome, and whatever the conditions.At last, after many arguments, both sides agreed that the city should be handed over to the Christians, with free egress granted to the citizens, their wives and children, and all their wealth.Moreover, if some of the citizens preferred to stay in the city, their possessions and homes should be preserved intact and a free licence to stay granted to them.Of course, when the people and the men of the lower class realized what was being discussed among the princes, they took it badly that the city should be surrendered on these terms, and that it would not be available to them to smash up violently for booty and loot, and they unanimously declared that their effort was being betrayed for military necessities, ready entirely to disagree with the princes. Nevertheless, the saner mentality of their superiors prevailed, and when the city was surrendered, freedom to leave was given to the citizens, as had been agreed in the pact.
— WILLIAM OF TYRE