The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1891-12-03
THE FIRST CRUSADE.
E AlARKA6LE ARMY THAT WENT
TO CAPTURE THE HOLY LAND.

Thousands of Innocent Lives Sacrificed
Because of ignorant Enthusiasm-when
Intelligent knights Took Part. Victory
Came-Men Who Led.
Peter the Hermit was a monk Of Pr
cardy, who had made a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem. While there he had wit
messed the sufferings of those who tried
to preserve the true faith among the
hordes Of barbarians who had swarmed
upon and now possessed the lands of
Asia Minor. He saw the shocking prof
anations Of the sacred places Of the Holy
City, and his heart burned within him
to release it from its oppression. At
nighttime dreams came to him from
which it was pointed out to him that his
mission was to rouse the nations of Eu-
rope to a holy war.
Fired with this ambition, he made his
way back to France. The reports of his
powerful preaching spread, and greater
numbers flock each day to near him.
Finally, in November of 1895, such a
company is gathered as probably has
never been seen together before.
The plain of La Limagne, in Auvergne,
was covered with white tents, in which
were lodged 10000 people, 1000 priests
and 400 bishops and abbots were there,
while also there was there one man who
was mightier than all of them, Urban
II, pope Of Rome, to whom all western
Europe did homage.
A lofty stand had been erected in the
open air, for no building would accom-
| poN1a+a tho Tbronr TTn0n this cot tho
pope, and beside him stood the hermit,
holding aloft the cross. With burning
words and fearful eyes he described the
shameful sights he had witnessed in
Jerusalem, and called for volunteers to
go with him to wrest the Holy City from
the infidel.
His appeal was seconded by Urban,
who promised all who fought that if
they won the land they conquered should
be theirs; while if they died a place in
heaven should surely be their reward.
The cross was held out to them and they
were invited to come forward and take
it to wear upon their persons as the badge
Of their devotion.
Adhimar de Monteri, bishop Of Puy,
was the first to come forward, and thou
sands poured after him.
The excitement spread and all Europe
resOunded with the preparations for this
undertaking. Peter, with excess Of zeal
and absolute lack Of wisdom, gathered a
multitude Of peasant men, women and
children, unarmed and u~nprOvided with
the sustenanCe for the march which he
undertook to lead in person to Jerusa-
lem across the mountainous parts Of
central Europe.
Extorting food from the people among
whom they passed, and set upon by
them in revenge, the pilgrims fell in
every road, cut down by sickness, star
vatjon and the sword. Others nc doubt
ran back to their deserted homes, until
in Hungary Peter found himself alone.
Meanwhile a very different army had
been gathering on all sides, made up Of
the very flower Of chivalry of all the
European nations.
Godfrey &c Bouillon, duke of Lor-
raine, the Count of Toulaun, Barmond,
Tancred, Felei de la Flichs and many
another warrior whose name stands high
in history led their armies to join the
host.
William Rufus was now king OF Eng
land, d man SO avariciOus and unscrupu-
lous that he never hesitated to take by
force any possession of his mobiles that
was left unguarded. Under such a mas
ter it is not strange that the English no.
bles were lOath to leave their castles for
80 long a journey, and hence few Eng
fish names have figured in the first cru
SADIE.
Impetuous, improvident, t~rustful Rob
r ert Of Normandy, however, who never
could remember evil of his brother the
; next day after he had most cruelty
abused him, now turns to William for
; aid. His generous heart burning to re-
, lieve the su%fferings of the Holy Land
: leads him to sacrifice every future pros
r pect for the purpose Of obtaining the
means of gratifying the present impulse.
-, He mortgages his duchy Of Normandy
/ to his brother William Rufus, king Of
England, and with his money thus OBJ
l tanned fits ont his portion of the holy
army.
: The science of navigation was in that
age too crude to be able to provide
, means of transit for SO large al army
by water, and the whole force, 500, 900
infantry and 100000 cavalry, marched
5 by land across central Europe and over
! the H~ellespont into Asia Minor.
The pitileSs sun, the finty soil, a
5 strange climate, lack Of food, want of
4 water, all fought on the side of the Turk
against the Crusaders, and the path Of
the devoted army was marked by a trail
e of graves.
At Mecca, at Antioch, and in other
a places the c~ontending armies met. AS a
e general thing the Crusaders were victo-
rious, and on a January morning in 1893
, the advancing army, Tancred in the
X lead, ascending a hill, looked for the
6rst time upon the city of Jerusalem.
= General and soldier, prince and
peasant, fell PROSTATE upon the ground.
Some wept for joy at the sight; others
with sorrow, because above the temple