Chapter I: Preface

In writing the pages which follow this Preface, I have had to encounter the difficulty of compressing very extensive matter into an extremely limited space. As the subject was, in my eyes, a very interesting one, and every particular connected with it had often been food for thought and object of entertainment to myself, the task of curtailing was the more ungrateful: nor should I have undertaken it, had I not been convinced by my publisher that one volume would be as much as the public in general would be inclined to read. I wished to write upon Chivalry and the Crusades, because I fancied that in the hypotheses of many other authors I had discovered various errors and misstatements, which gave a false impression of both the institution and the enterprise; and I have endeavoured, in putting forth my own view of the subject, to advance no one point, however minute, which cannot be justified by indisputable authority. A favourite theory is too often, in historical writing like the bed of the ancient Greek; and facts are either stretched or lopped away to agree with it: but to ensure as much accuracy as possible, I have taken pains to mark in the margin of the pages the different writers on whose assertions my own statements are founded, with a corresponding figure, by which each particular may be referred to its authority.

In regard to these authors themselves, it seems necessary here to give some information, that those persons who are inclined to inquire beyond the mere surface may know what credit is to be attached to each.

On the first crusade we have a whole host of contemporary writers, many of whom were present at the events they describe. Besides these are several others, who, though they wrote at an after-period, took infinite pains to render their account as correct as possible. The authors I have principally cited for all the earlier facts of the Holy War are, William of Tyre, Albert of Aix, Fulcher of Chartres, Raimond of Agiles, Guibert of Nogent, Radulph of Caën, and Robert, surnamed the Monk.

William of Tyre is, beyond all doubt, the most illustrious of the many historians who have written on the crusades. Born in Palestine, and though both educated for the church and raised step by step to its highest dignities, yet mingling continually in the political changes of the Holy Land--the preceptor of one of its kings--frequently employed in embassies to Europe, and ultimately Archbishop of Tyre and Chancellor of the kingdom of Jerusalem, William possessed the most extensive means of gathering materials for the great work he has left to posterity. He brought to his task, also, a powerful mind, as well as considerable discrimination; and was infinitely superior in education and every intellectual quality to the general chroniclers of his age. He was not born, however, at the time of the first crusade; and consequently, where he speaks of the events of that enterprise, we may look upon him as an historian, clear, talented, elegant, and not extremely credulous; but we must not expect to find the vivid identity of contemporaneous writing. In regard to the history of his own days he is invaluable, and in respect to that of the times which preceded them, his work is certainly superior, as a whole, to any thing that has since been written on the subject.

A much more vivid and enthusiastic picture of the first crusade is to be found in Albert of Aix, from whom William of Tyre borrowed many of his details; but the Syrian Archbishop, living long after, saw the events he recounted as a whole, rejected much as false that Albert embraced as true, and softened the zealous fire which the passions and feelings of the moment had lighted up in the bosom of the other. Albert himself was not one of the crusaders; but living at the time, and conversing continually with those who returned from the Holy Land, he caught, to an extraordinary extent, the spirit of the enterprise, and has left behind him a brilliant transcript of all the passed-by dreams and long-extinguished enthusiasms of his day.

Thus, as a painting of manners and customs, the _Chronicon Hierosolymitanum_ is one of the most valuable records we possess, and the account there given of Peter the Hermit and _Gautier sans avoir_ is in many points more full and comprehensive than any other.

Fulcher of Chartres set out for the Holy Land with Stephen, Count of Blois, one of the first crusaders. He soon after became chaplain to Baldwin, the brother of Godfrey de Bouillon, and ended his days a canon of the Holy Sepulchre. His relation is useful in many respects, especially in regard to the march of the crusaders through Italy--the proceedings of Baldwin at Edessa, and the history of Jerusalem for several years after its conquest. His style, however, is tumid and circumlocutory, and his credulity equal to that of Raimond d'Agiles.

Raimond d'Agiles accompanied the Count of Toulouse on the first crusade, in quality of chaplain. Superstitious to the most lamentable degree, and as bigoted in party politics as in religion, he wrote as he lived, like a weak and ignorant man. Nevertheless there is, in his account, much excellent information, detailed with simplicity; and very often, through the folly of the historian, we arrive at truths which his prejudices concealed from himself.

Guibert of Nogent did not visit the Holy Land; but he lived during the first crusade, and, in common with all Europe, felt deeply interested in the fate of that expedition. He examined and noted with accuracy all the anecdotes which reached Europe, and painted, with great vivacity, scenes that he had not himself witnessed. In his account of the crusade many circumstances, evincing strongly the spirit of the age, are to be met with which do not appear elsewhere; and, as we have every reason to feel sure of his general accuracy, it is but fair to suppose that these are well founded.

Radulph, or Raoul, of Caën, is inflated in style, and often inexact; but he is perhaps less superstitious than any other chronicler of the crusades. By poetical exaggeration, he often renders his narrative doubtful; yet, as the biographer of Tancred, he tends to elucidate much that would otherwise have remained in darkness. Robert, called the Monk, was present at the council of Clermont, at which the first crusade was determined; and, though he did not immediately take the Cross, he set out for the Holy Land not long after, and was present at the siege of Jerusalem. He is, in general, accurate and precise; and, though not a little credulous in regard to visions, apparitions, and such imaginations of the day, he is on the whole more calm, clear, and exact than any other contemporary author.

Besides these writers, I have had occasion to cite several others of less authority. Of these, Baldric bears the highest character; and, notwithstanding the fact of his not having been present at the crusade, he is in general accurate. Tudebodus is both brief and imperfect. Matthew of Edessa deserves little or no credit; and the part of the Alexiad which refers to the first crusade is far more likely to mislead than to assist. The most important part, of the whole work, as it is published at present, consists in the notes of Ducange. William of Malmsbury is more useful, but still his account is merely a repetition of what we find in other sources. For all the affairs of Normandy, I have consulted Orderic, Vital, and William of Jumieges.

The history of William of Tyre was afterward continued by several writers, the chief of whom is an author taking the title of Bernard the Treasurer. A Latin version of his book was published by Muratori: Martenne, however, has since printed a work from an old French manuscript, the identity of which with the account of Bernard the Treasurer has been proved by Mansi. This work is one of the most interesting extant; for although it wants entirely either the power or the grace of William of Tyre's composition, and is full of errors, in respect to every thing beyond the immediate limits of the Holy Land, yet there is a simple and interesting minuteness--an individuality of tone through the whole, where it relates to the affairs of Syria, which could not have been given but by an eyewitness. Even the old French in which it is written, slightly different from the exact language of France at the same period, gives it a peculiar character, and stamps it as the work of a Syrian Frank. Another continuation of William of Tyre is extant, by a Suabian of the name of Herold. This, however, is a much later composition, and possesses few of the qualities of the other. The Cardinal de Vitry also wrote an abbreviated history of the Crusades, bringing it down to his own time A. D. 1220. His work is principally to be consulted for the account it gives of the events which passed under the author's own eyes, while Bishop of Acre, and for a great many curious particulars concerning the manners and customs of the Saracens, which are to be found in no other work. The second book of the Cardinal de Vitry's History has been omitted, I cannot conceive why, in the Gesta Dei per Francos. It is, nevertheless, infinitely valuable, as showing the horrible state of the Christians of Palestine, and displaying those vices and weaknesses which eventually brought about the ruin of the Latin kingdom.

The authorities for the second crusade are lamentably few, and by their very paucity show what a change had come over the spirit of the age in the short space of fifty years. The only eyewitnesses who have written on the subject, as far as I can discover, are Odo, a priest of Deuil, or Diagolum, in the neighbourhood of Paris, and Otho, Bishop of Freysinghen. The first of these authors followed Louis VII. to the Holy Land as his chaplain, and his account is, more properly speaking, an epistle to the famous Suger, Abbot of St. Denis, than a chronicle.

Otho of Freysinghen was nearly related to the emperor Conrad, whom he accompanied on his unfortunate expedition. Both these authors, therefore, had the best means of obtaining information; and in the writings of each there is an air of truth and sincerity, which does much towards conviction. I have had occasion in speaking of this crusade to cite casually a number of authors, of whom it is not necessary to give any very detailed account. Their works are to be found in the admirable collections of Dom Bouquet, Duchesne, Martenne, or Muratori.

Wherever I have been obliged to quote from any of the Arabian writers, I am indebted to the extracts of Monsieur Reinaud.

In regard to the crusade of Richard Coeur de Lion and Philip Augustus; for the history of the first, I have borrowed from Benedict of Peterborough, from Hovedon, and especially from Vinesauf, whose work is inestimable. These, with the other English authorities I have cited, are too well known to need comment. Having some time ago written a romance, not yet published, on the history of Philip Augustus, I had previously studied almost all the old chroniclers who speak of that monarch. The most important treatise on his reign is the work of Rigord, who was at once monk, physician, and historiographer at the court of Philip. William the Breton, one of the king's chaplains, continued his history in prose, from the period where Rigord abandoned the task. He also wrote a bombastic poem on the reign of his patron, which, however exaggerated and absurd, is useful as an historical document, and a painting of the manners and customs of the time. On the taking of Constantinople by the French, I have found no want of authorities. Villehardouin, one of the principal actors in the scenes he describes, has been my chief source of information. I have also met with much in Nicetas, who was present; and I have confirmed the evidence of other writers, by the chronicle in the Rouchy dialect, published by Monsieur Buchon, and by the metrical chronicle of Philippe Mouskes in the same collection. I need hardly say that the works of Ducange have proved invaluable in every part of my inquiry, and that his history of Constantinople under its French monarchs both gave me facts and led me to authorities.

Joinville is the principal writer on the crusade of St. Louis. He was an eyewitness, a sufferer, and a principal actor in the scenes he describes. Of all old chroniclers, with the exception, perhaps, of Froissart, Joinville offers the most original, simple, and delightful painting of times and manners long gone by. With the notes of Ducange, his work is an erudite repertory for antique manners and usages, and may be read and reread with gratification, and studied deeply with advantage.

The folio edition in my own library comprises the Observations, and Dissertations of Ducange, and the Commentaries of Claud Menard; together with the Establishments of St. Louis, and a curious treatise upon the ancient law of France, by Pierre de Fontaines. All these works afford a great insight into the spirit of that day; and many other particulars are to be found in the _Branche aux royaux Lignages_, and in the Sermon of Robert de Sainceriaux. Besides the authors I have here particularized, I have had occasion to cite casually a great number of others, whose names, with some account of the works of each, may be found in the _Manuel_ of Brunet. Vertot also has furnished us with much information concerning the Knights of St. John; and Dupuy, Raynouard, &c. have spoken largely of the Templars. I cannot close the enumeration of authors to whom I am under obligations for information or instruction without mentioning M. Guizot, one of the most clearsighted and unprejudiced of all modern historians. His views of causes I have often adopted, sometimes with very slight modifications, and sometimes with none; and, in all instances to which his writings extend, I have been indebted to him for light to conduct me through the dark sanctuary of past events, to the shrine of Truth, even where he has not unveiled the deity herself. I can only regret that his essays did not embrace more of the very comprehensive subject on which I was called to treat.

Several motives have impelled me to give this long account of my authorities; one of which motives was, that often, in reading works on history, I have myself wished that the sources from which facts were derived had been laid open to my examination; but still, my principal view in the detail was, to show the ground on which I had fixed opinions directly opposed to those of several other authors. In many cases, the aspect under which I have seen the events of the Crusades has been entirely different from that under which Mills has regarded them, and I felt myself called upon not to attack any position of a clever writer and a learned man, without justifying myself as completely as possible.

In regard to my own work I shall say nothing, but that I have spared neither labour nor research to make it as correct as if it had appeared under a much more imposing form. In space, I have been confined; and in time, I have been hurried: but I have endeavoured to remedy the one inconvenience, by cutting off all superfluous matter; and to guard against evil consequences from the other, by redoubling my own exertions. Whether I have succeeded or not the world must judge; and if it does judge with the same generous lenity which it has extended to my other productions, I shall have every reason to be both satisfied and grateful.

CONTENTS.

Page

CHAPTER I.

A Definition, with Remarks and Evidence--An Inquiry into the
Origin of Chivalry--Various Opinions on the Subject--Reasons
for doubting the great Antiquity of Chivalry, properly so
called--The State of Society which preceded it, and of that
which gave it Birth--Its Origin and early Progress. 17

CHAPTER II.

Of Chivalrous Customs--Education--Grades--Services on the
Reception of a Knight--On Tournaments--Jousts--Combats at
Outrance--Passages of Arms--The Round Table--Privileges of
Knighthood--Duties of Knighthood. 31

CHAPTER III.

The Progress of Chivalry in Europe--Exploits--That some great
Enterprise was necessary to give Chivalry an extensive and
permanent Effect--That Enterprise presented itself in the
Crusades--Pilgrimage to Jerusalem--Haroun Al Raschid--
Charlemagne--Cruelties of the Turks--Pilgrimages continued--
Peter the Hermit--Council of Clermont. 53

CHAPTER IV.

The Effects of the Council of Clermont--State of France--
Motives of the People for embracing the Crusade--Benefits
produced--The Enthusiasm general--Rapid Progress--The first
Bodies of Crusaders begin their March--Gautier sans avoir--
His Army--Their Disasters--Reach Constantinople--Peter the
Hermit sets out with an immense Multitude--Storms Semlin--
Defeated at Nissa--His Host dispersed--The Remains
collected--Joins Gautier--Excesses of the Multitude--The
Italians and Germans separate from the French--The Germans
exterminated--The French cut to pieces--Conduct of Alexius. 73

CHAPTER V.

The Chivalry of Europe takes the Field--The Leaders--Godfrey
of Bouillon--Conducts his Army towards Constantinople--Hugh
the Great--Leads his Army through Italy--Embarks for
Durazzo--Taken Prisoner--Liberated--Robert, Duke of
Normandy--Winters in Italy--Arrives at Constantinople--
Robert, Count of Flanders--Joins the rest--Boemond of
Tarentum--Tancred--Their March--Defeat the Greeks--Boemond
does Homage--Tancred avoids it--The Count of Toulouse
arrives--Refuses to do Homage--Robert of Normandy does
Homage. 89

CHAPTER VI.

Germ of After-misfortunes already springing up in the
Crusade--Siege of Nice--First Engagement with the Turks--
Siege continued--The Lake occupied--Surrender of Nice to the
Emissaries of Alexius--Discontent--March towards Antioch--The
Army divides into two Bodies--Battle of Doryloeum--Dreadful
March through Phrygia--Adventures of Baldwin and Tancred--
Arrival at Antioch--The City invested 109

CHAPTER VII.

The Host of the Crusade invests Antioch--Description of that
City--Difficulties and Errors of the Crusaders--
Improvidence--Famine--Spies--Desertions--Embassy from the
Calif of Egypt--Succours from the Genoese and Pisans--
Battle--Feats of the Christian Knights--Boemond keeps up a
Communication within the Town--The Town betrayed to the
Christians--Massacres--Arrival of an Army from Persia--The
Christians besieged in Antioch--Famine--Desertions--Visions--
Renewed Enthusiasm--Diminished Forces of the Christians--
Battle of Antioch--The Crusaders victorious--Spoils--Disputes
with the Count of Toulouse--The Chiefs determine to repose at
Antioch--Ambassadors sent to Alexius--Fate of their Embassy 136

CHAPTER VIII.

Pestilence in Antioch--Death of the Bishop of Puy--The Chiefs
separate--Siege of Marrah--Cannibalism--Disputes between the
Count of Toulouse and Boemond--The Count marches towards
Jerusalem--Siege of Archas--Godfrey of Bouillon marches--
Siege of Ghibel--Treachery of Raimond--Fraud of the Holy
Lance investigated--Ordeal of Fire--Decisive Conduct of the
Crusaders towards the Deputies of Alexius, and the Calif of
Egypt--Conduct of the Crusaders towards the Emir of Tripoli--
First Sight of Jerusalem--Siege and Taking of the City--
Fanatical Massacres 162

CHAPTER IX.

Election of a King--Godfrey of Bouillon--Sketch of the
History of Jerusalem--Death of the chief Crusaders--New
Bodies of Crusaders set out from Europe--Their Destruction in
Asia Minor--Armed Pilgrimages--The Northern Armaments--The
Venetians--The Genoese and Pisans--Anecdotes of the
Crusaders--Battle of the Children at Antioch--The Thafurs--
Baldwin's Humanity well repaid--Superstitions--Arms of the
Crusaders--Of the Turks--Hospitallers--Templars 175

CHAPTER X.

Consequences of the Loss of Edessa--The State of France
unfavourable to a new Crusade--View of the Progress of
Society--Causes and Character of the Second Crusade--St.
Bernard--The Emperor of Germany takes the Cross, and sets
out--Louis VII. follows--Conduct of the Germans in Greece--
Their Destruction in Cappadocia--Treachery of Manuel
Comnenus--Louis VII. arrives at Constantinople--Passes into
Asia--Defeats the Turks on the Meander--His Army cut to
pieces--Proceeds by Sea to Antioch--Fate of his remaining
Troops--Intrigues at Antioch--Louis goes on to Jerusalem--
Siege of Damascus--Disgraceful Failure--Conrad returns to
Europe--Conduct of Suger, Abbot of St. Denis--Termination of
the Second Crusade 198

CHAPTER XI.

Progress of Society--The Rise of Poetry in modern Europe--
Troubadours--Trouveres--Various Poetical Compositions--Effect
of Poetry upon Chivalry--Effect of the Crusades on Society--
State of Palestine after the Second Crusade--Cession of
Edessa to the Emperor Manuel Comnenus--Edessa completely
subjected by the Turks--Ascalon taken by the Christians--
State of Egypt under the last Califs of the Fatimite Race--
The Latins and the Atabecks both design the Conquest of
Egypt--Struggles for that Country--Rise of Saladin--Disputes
among the Latins concerning the Succession of the Crown--Guy
of Lusignan crowned--Saladin invades Palestine--Battle of
Tiberias--Fall of Jerusalem--Conquest of all Palestine--Some
Inquiry into the Causes of the Latin Overthrow 219

CHAPTER XII.

The News of the Fate of Palestine reaches Europe--The
Archbishop of Tyre comes to seek for Aid--Assistance granted
by William the Good, of Sicily--Death of Urban, from Grief at
the Loss of Jerusalem--Gregory VIII. promotes a Crusade--
Expedition of Frederic, Emperor of Germany--His Successes--
His Death--State of Europe--Crusade promoted by the
Troubadours--Philip Augustus and Henry II. take the Cross--
Laws enacted--Saladin's Tenth--War renewed--Death of Henry
II.--Accession of Richard Coeur de Lion--The Crusade--
Philip's March--Richard's March--Affairs of Sicily--Quarrels
between the Monarchs--Philip goes to Acre--Richard subdues
Cyprus--Arrives at Acre--Siege and Taking of Acre--Fresh
Disputes--Philip Augustus returns to Europe--Richard marches
on--Battle of Azotus--Heroism of Richard--Unsteady Councils--
The Enterprise abandoned 237