interested. But the enemies of the church, as well as the foes of morals, were the objects of his hatred; he became the judge of opinions as well as of actions, and military spirit prompted him to destroy rather than to convert infidels and heretics. The engrafting of the virtues of humanity and the practical duties of religion on the sanguinary qualities of the warrior, was a circumstance beneficial to the world. But the mixture of the apostle and the soldier was a union which reason abhors. It gave rise to a feeling of violent animosity against the Saracens, and was a strong and active cause of the Crusades. of a priest and an anchorite ;* and since in his subsequent life he was usually clad in the weeds of a solitary, his contemporaries surnamed him the Hermit. As the last means of expiating some errors of his early days, he resolved to undergo the pains and perils of a journey to the Holy Land. When he started from the shade of obscurity, his small and mean person was macerated by austerities; his face was thin and care-worn; but his eye spoke thought and feeling, and atoned for the general insignificance of his appearance. His imagination was sanguine, but his judgment was weak: and therefore his long continued speculations upon religion in the cloister and cell, ended in dreams of rapture. He fancied himself invested with Divine authority, and what in truth was but the vision of a heated mind, he believed to be a communication from heaven.† He accomplished his journey to Pales SION OF EUROPE — FATE OF THE FIRST tine; and, on his arrival at Jerusalem, CRUSADERS. - went through the usual course of prayers and processions. The sacrilegious and Peter the Hermit. His pilgrimage to Jeru- inhuman barbarities of the Turks had exsalem. He resolves to preach a holy war. cited the indignation of every pilgrim, His wish embraced by Urban II. — Policy of and affected in the strongest manner the that Pope. Peter's preaching. Councils of Placentia and of Clermont. Urban's ardent fancy of Peter. With his host, a speech at Clermont. The redemption of the Latin Christian, he conversed on the subsepulchre resolved upon. The crusade em- jects of the existing distresses of the faithbraced by Europe -- Departure of the Euro-ful, the triumph of infidelity, and the anpean rabble. First division. Its destruction in Bulgaria. - Second division. Its disasters and outrages on the road to Greece. - And destruction in Bithynia. - Third division. Its destruction in Hungary. - Fourth and last division. Its shocking superstition. -Cruelties on the German Jews. - Destruction in Hungary. cient grandeur and modern degradation of the Holy City. In the patriarch Symeon, too, the hermit found a kindred spirit; and, by means of an interpreter, they communicated their opinions and feelings. The churchman's account of the afflictions of the people of God were met not * Petrarch, in his treatise, De Vita Solit. lib. ii. sec. iv. c. 1. celebrates Peter as a great example of solitary livers. On the person and character of Peter, thus writes the archbishop of Tyre: Sacerdos quidam, In times when a pilgrimage to Jerusa-only with tears, but the reiterated queslem was regarded as the duty of every tion, whether no way could be discovered Christian, and when war was the occupation and delight of Europe, Peter, a native of Amiens, in France, kindled that false and fatal zeal which for two centuries spread its devastating and consuming fires. In his youth he performed feudal military service under the banners of Eustace de Bouillon, father of Godfrey VI., duke of Lorraine: but he did not long aspire after the honours of a hero. He became the husband of a lady of the noble family of Roussy, but as she was old, poor, and ugly, his vanity and his ambition were not gratified by the marriage. His next characters were those Petrus nomine, de regno Francorum, de episcopatu Ambianensi, qui et re et nomine cognomisolymam pervenit. Erat autem hic idem staturâ pusillus, et quantum ad exteriorem hominem, persona contemptibilis. Sed major in exiguo regnabat corpore virtus. Vivacis enim ingenii erat, et oculum habens perspicacem, gratumque, nabatur Heremita, eodem fervore tractus Hiero et sponte fluens ei non deerat eloquium. P. 637. See, too, the collection of passages from the original writers in Du Cange's note on the Alexiad. p. 79, Venice edition. to soften and to terminate them. Symeon | those Grecian territories which for a declared that these misfortunes were the while had been in the possession of the consequences of sin; that the remedy Normans.* and redress could not be found among the Greeks, who had already lost half their empire, but among the great nations of the west, whose strength was unimpaired. The hermit replied, that if the people of Europe had certain evidence of these facts, they would provide a remedy. "Write, therefore," he continued, "both to the Pope and the Romish church, and to all the Latin Christians: and affix to your letter the seal of your office. As a penance for my sins, I will travel over Europe; I will describe to princes and people the degraded state of the church, and will urge them to repair it."* Possessed of his credentials, but principally trusting in the virtue of his cause, Peter returned to Europe, and repaired to Pope Urban II., who was disputing with Guibert, the friend of the emperor, for the pontificate. The tale was eagerly listened to by the Pope. Urban was religious in the sense in which his age understood religion, and he therefore lamented the direful state of Jerusalem: he was humane, and his tears flowed for the insulted and distressed pilgrims. He had been patronized by Gregory VII. through all the course of ecclesiastical dignities, and had succeeded to the ambition, as well as to the power of his master. But his religious sympathy and lofty desires were not unmingled with selfish feelings, for it appears from the authority of an excellent witness, that the Pope conferred upon the subject of Peter's message with Bohemond, prince of Tarentum § and that it was by the advice of this Norman freebooter, that he resolved to direct the martial energies of Europe to foreign ends. It was thought that if his holiness could kindle the flame of war, auxiliaries might be easily engaged, by whose means he would be able to fix himself in the Vatican, and Bohemond could recover Archb. of Tyre, 637. † Fulcher, 381. Archb. of Tyre, 638. Martenne, Vet Script. Amp. Coll. V. 516, and the Life of Urban, by P. Pisanus, in the fourth vol. of Muratori, Script. Rer. Ital. p. 352. William of Malmsbury, p. 407. For the family history of this prince, and its connexion with Constantinople, see note B. It might have been supposed, that when the head of Christendom had adopted the cause of the pilgrims, individual exertion would have been useless. But, devoted to his object, and swelled in self-importance by his influence with the Pope, Peter resolved to preach the deliverance of the sepulchre. He accordingly traversed Italy and France. His dress expressed self-abasement and mortification: it was only a coarse woollen shirt, and a hermit's mantle. His mode of living was abstemious; but his qualities did not consist of those selfish penances which are the usual virtues of the recluse. He distributed among the poor those gifts which gratitude showered upon himself; he reclaimed the sinner; terminated disputes, and sowed the germs of virtue. He was every where hailed and considered as the man of God, and even the hairs which fell from his mule were treasured by the people as relics. His exhortations to vengeance on the Turks were heard with rapture, because they reflected the religious sentiments of the day. The love also of romantic adventure, and the desire of chivalric danger sympathized with the advice of the preacher. Religion and heroism were in unison. In some minds, moreover, political considerations had weight, and Europe was regarded as the ally of Constantinople. About the year 1085, Count Robert I. of Flanders, following the religious fashion of the times, endeavoured to expiate his offences against heaven by the pains of pilgrimage. In the course of his return from Jerusalem to Europe, he visited the Grecian court. He promised Alexius five hundred horsemen; and he lost * William of Malmsbury, p. 407. Lanea tunica ad purum, cucullo super, utrisque talaribus, byrrho desuper induebatur; brachis minime, nudipes autem. Guibert, lib. ii. cap. 8. # Guibert, 482. Archb. of Tyre, 638. Museum Italicum, vol. 1. p. 131. § Quidquid agebat namque, seu loquebatur, quasi quiddam, subdivinum videbatur, præsertim cum etiam de ejus mulo pilo pro reliquiis ra perentur. Guibert, p. 482. The original his torians, seldom backward in ascribing speeches to the great characters of the crusades, have not reported any of the sermons of Peter. no time in succouring his imperial friend. | ple, the French, in the middle of the eleventh century, fought under William duke of Aquitain against the Saracens. The Christians in Spain had also been succoured by Hugh, duke of Burgundy, and afterwards by his son Eudes.* But the Turkish power continued formidable; and while the fortunes of Constantinople stood on a perilous edge, the emperor implored all Europe to arm itself against Asia.* In order to rouse and concentrate the In March, 1095, the Tuscan and Lommighty powers of holy zeal, Urban as- bard bishops met Urban at Placentia. sembled two councils of clergy and lay-The legates of Alexius were admitted to men; one in Italy, the seat of his influ- the council, in order to show the necesence, and the other in France, whither sity of driving the Turks from the conhe had been invited by Raymond, count fines of Europe; and the resolution of of Tholouse, and the bishop of Chorges.† Urban and the prelates, that it was just France, too, was the most military coun- and politic to assist the emperor of Greece try of the west, and had often acquired in punishing the Pagans, was approved fame in sacred wars. The march of by inferior clergy and laity, whose numSaracenian victory had been closed at bers have been estimated at four thousand Tours. Pepin le Bref, son of Charles of the former class, and thirty thousand Martel, dispossessed the Arabs of Lan- of the latter. The clerical and secular guedoc and Provence, and Charlemagne people of the west were summoned to himself gained laurels and possessions in council in the city of Clermont, the capithe north of Spain. Instigated as much tal of the Lower Auvergne, in the month by national valour as by religious princi- of November, subsequently to the holding of the Placentian assembly. The It is certain that Alexius implored the suc-dukes of Aquitain and lords of Auvergne cour of the West. No correct transcripts of had long established their independence his letters have been preserved. All the ver- over the Francic successors of Charlemagne; but as they were the personal friends of king Philip I., the enemy of Urban,‡ the circumstance is remarkable, that their territories should be chosen for the seat of the meeting.§ Individuals of every class of laymen, and every rank of the ecclesiastical order, flocked to Clermont, from all parts of France and Germany; and the deliberations were carried on in an open square, for no hall could contain the unprecedented multitude. The neighbouring villages and towns were full of men, and the poorest people were happy in the shelter of tents. Seven days were occupied in making decrees on matters of local and temporary sions are in Latin. One of them has a clause, that Alexius would rather than his empire should be possessed by the Latin Christians than by the Turks. Constantinople," he adds, "is rich in gold and in relics, and you will find an ample reward for your labours." This clause bears strong marks of forgery. Could the emperor so coolly have devoted his capital to pillage? The Greeks too hated the Latins with more bitterness than they hated the Turks. It may be remarked, by the way, that in Guibert's abstract of the letter, the assistance of the Europeans is courted by the promise of the possession of the Greek ladies. The Frenchmen is indignant that the emperor should think that the Grecian women were more handsome than those of France, or that people should travel into Greece merely for the sake of beholding feminine beauty. Quasi Græcarum mulierum species tanta esset, ut Gallicis modo quolibet præferrentur; solaque earum causa Francorum exercitus in Thraciam ageretur. Guibert, p. 476, in Bongarsius. It seems from Du Cange (note on p. 160, of the Alexiad) that Alexius intreated succour not later than the year 1092, and certainly before the death of the great Seljukian princes. Although the versions of his letter differ materially, yet there is a strong tone of misery and humiliation running through them all, which would not have been the case, if the application for assistance had been made after the days of Malek Shah and Soliman. Those distinguished men were the main supporters of Turkish greatness. - Malmsbury, 470, 474. See the preface of the fourteenth vol. of the great collection of French historians, begun by Dom. Bouquet. Muratori, Rer. Scrip. Ital. III. 353. Labbe, concilia, vol. x. p. 500, &c. + Philip the first was a monster of sensuality and listlessness. The Pope's legate, thirty bishops, and other clergy, excommunicated him at a council held at Autun, in 1094. § L'Art de vérifier les Dates, vol. ii. p. 356. Guibert (p. 478) estimates the bishops and abbots at more than four hundred; Fulcher (p. 382) at three hundred. General expressions, and not numerical statements, are made of the other ranks of the assembly. interest, and in issuing canons for the edification of manners. The greatest subject was reserved for the eighth day of the sitting of the council. The Pope ascended the pulpit, and exhorted his anxious auditors to make war on the enemies of God. "You recollect,"* said he, " my dearest brethren, many things which have been decreed for you, at this time; some matters in our council, commanded; others inhibited. A rude and confused chaos of crimes required the deliberation of many days; an inveterate malady demanded a sharp remedy. For awhile we gave unbounded scope to our clemency our papal office finds numberless matters to proscribe, none to spare. But it has hitherto arisen from human frailty, that you have erred; and that, deceived by the speciousness of vice, you have exasperated the long suffering of God, by too lightly regarding his forbearance. It has arisen, too, from human wantonness, that, disregarding lawful wedlock, you have not duly considered the heinousness of adultery. From too great covetousness also, it has arisen, that, as opportunity offered, making captive your brethren, bought by the same great price, you have outrageously extorted from them their wealth. To you, however, now suffering this perilous shipwreck of sin, a secure haven of rest is offered, unless you neglect it. A station of perpetual safety will be awarded you, for the exertion of a trifling different authors. 66 The speech of Urban is variously given by They all differ in the mould, but agree in the metal," as Fuller says, Holy War, b. i. c. 8. Robert, p. 31. Baldric, p. 79. Fulcher, p. 382. Archb. of Tyre, p. 639. Labbe, Concilia, tom. x. Robert was present, and his relation of the speech may be one of those which can be depended on. William of Malmsbury (p. 410, 415) had an account of the pro ceedings from eye-witnesses, and as he had more genius than any writer of his age, his version of this celebrated oration is more interesting than that of any other author. He says, that he was anxious to preserve the general sense unimpaired, though he has omitted many particulars: and he modestly adds, that he could not retain the force of the Pope's eloquence. I have adopted his attempt; and inserted it in the text as translated by Mr. Shepherd. Some writers have thought that the early historians did not sufficiently study the science of effect; a speech has therefore been invented, and attributed to Peter; but history has nothing to do with speeches which ought to have been spoken. labour against the Turks. Compare, now, the labours which you undertook in the practice of wickedness, and those which you will encounter in the undertaking I advise. The intention of committing adultery, or murder, begets many fears; for, as Solomon says,There is nothing more timid than guilt;' many labours, for what is more toilsome than wickedness? But, he who walks uprightly, walks securely.' Of these labours, of these fears, the end was sin; the wages of sin is death, and the death of sinners is most dreadful. Now the same labours and apprehensions are required from you, for a better consideration. The cause of these labours will be charity; if, thus warned by the command of God, you lay down your lives for the brethren: the wages of charity will be the grace of God; the grace of God is followed by eternal life. Go, then, prosperously go, then, with confidence to attack the enemies of God. For they long since, oh, sad reproach to Christians! have seized Syria, Armenia, and lastly, all Asia Minor, the provinces of which are Bithynia, Phrygia, Ga.atia, Lydia, Caira, Pamphylia, Isauria, Licia, Cilicia; and now they insolently domineer over Illyricum, and all the higher countries, even to the sea, which is called the Straits of St. George. Nay, they usurp even the sepulchre of our Lord, that singular assurance of faith; and sell to our pilgrims admissions to that city, which ought, had they a trace of their ancient courage left, to be open to Christians only. This alone might be enough to cloud our brows: but now, who, except the most abandoned, or the most envious of Christian reputation, can endure that we do not divide the world the third portion of the world, as their equally with them. They inhabit Asia, native soil; which was not improperly esteemed by our ancestors equal, by the extent of its tracts and greatness of its provinces, to the two remaining parts. There, formerly, sprung up the branches of our devotion; there, all the apostles, except two, consecrated their deaths; there, at the present day, the Christians, if any survive, sustaining life by a wretched kind of agriculture, pay these miscreants tribute, and even with stifled sighs long for the anticipation of your liberty, since they have lost their own. They hold Africa, also, another quarter of the world, already possessed by their arms for more than two hundred years; which, on this account, I pronounce derogatory to Christian honour, because that country was anciently the nurse of celebrated geniuses, who, by their divine writings, will mock the rust of antiquity, as long as there shall be a person who can relish Roman literature: the learned know the truth of what I say. Europe, the third portion of the world, remains; of which, how small a part do we Christians inhabit? for who can call all those barbarians who dwell in remote islands of the Frozen Ocean, Christians, since they live after a savage manner? Even this small portion of the world, belonging to us, the Turks and Saracens oppress. Thus, for three hundred years, Spain and the Balearic Isles being subjected to them, the possession of the remainder is eagerly anticipated by feeble men, who, not having courage to engage in close encounter, love a flying mode of warfare; for the Turk never ventures upon close fight, but when driven from his station, bends his bow at a distance, and trusts the winds with his meditated wound; and as he has poisoned arrows, venom, and not valour, inflicts death on the man he strikes. Whatever he effects, then, I attribute to fortune, not to courage, because he wars by flight, and by poison. It is apparent, too, that every race, born in that region, being scorched with the intense heat of the sun, abounds more in reflexion, than in blood; and, therefore, they avoid coming to close quarters, because they are aware how little blood they possess. Whereas the people who are born amid the polar frosts, and distant from the sun's heat, are less cautious indeed; but, elate from their copious and luxuriant flow of blood, they fight with the greatest alacrity. You are a nation born in the more temperate regions of the world; who may be both prodigal of blood, in defiance of death and wounds; and are not deficient in prudence. For, you equally preserve good conduct in camp, and are considerate in battle. Thus, endued with skill and with valour, you undertake a memorable expedition. You will be extolled throughout all ages, if you rescue your brethren from danger. To those present, in God's name, I command this; to the absent I enjoin it. Let such as are going to fight for Christianity put the form of the cross upon their garments, that they may, outwardly, demonstrate the love arising from their inward faith; enjoying by the gift of God, and the privilege of St. Peter, absolution from all their crimes : let this in the mean time soothe the labours of their journey; satisfied that they shall obtain, after death, the advantages of a blessed martyrdom. Putting an end to your crimes, then, that Christians may at least live peaceably in these countries, go, and employ in nobler warfare that valour, and that sagacity, which you used to waste in civil broils: go, soldiers, every where renowned in fame, go, and subdue these dastardly nations. Let the noted valour of the French advance; which, accompanied by its adjoining nations, shall affright the whole world by the single terror of its name. But why do I delay you longer, by detracting from the courage of the gentiles? Rather bring to your recollection the saying of God, Narrow is the way which leadeth to life.' Be it then that the track to be followed is narrow; replete with death, and terrible with dangers: still this path must lead to your lost country. No doubt you must, by much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God.' Place then before your imagination, if you shall be made captive, torments and chains; nay, every possible suffering that can be inflicted. Expect, for the firmness of your faith, even horrible punishments, that so, if it be necessary, you may redeem your souls at the expense of your bodies. Do you fear death, you men of exemplary courage and intrepidity? Surely human wickedness can devise nothing against you, worthy to be put in competition with heavenly glory for the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us.' Know you not, that for men to live is wretchedness, and happiness to die?' This doctrine, if you re He alludes to St. Augustine and the fathers member, you imbibed with your mothers' milk, through the preaching of the clergy; of the African church. |