volume one

irisTOiiY or THE crju^ADES. 121
Turbessel and Eavendel were tlie first cities that opeued
tlieir gates to the fortuiiate conqueror. This conquest soon
produced a separation between Baldwin and Pancratius, who
both entertained the same projects of ambition ; but this
ditference did not at all delay the march of the brother of
Grodfrey. The Crusader prince opposed violence to cun-
ning ;
he threatened to treat his rival as an enemy, and thus
drove him away from tlie theatre of his victories. Baldwin
wanted neither guide nor assistance in a country of which
the inhabitants all flocked out to meet him. As he pursued
his march, fame carried his exploits into the most distant
places ; the intelligence of his conquests preceded him beyond
the Euphrates, and reached even the city of Edessa.
This city, so celebrated in the times of the primitive
church, was the metropolis of Mesopotamia. As it had
escaped the invasion of the Turks, all the Christians of that
neighbourhood had, with their riches, taken refuge within
its waUs. A G-reek prince, named Theodore,* deputed by
the emperor of Constantinople, was the governor of it, and
maintained his power by paying tribute to the Saracens.
The approach and the victories of the Crusaders produced
the most lively sensations in the city of Edessa, The people
and the governor joined in soliciting the aid of Baldwin.
The bishop and twelve of the principal inhabitants were
deputed to meet the Crusader prince. They described to
him the Avealth of Mesopotamia, the devotion of their fellow-
citizens to the cause of Jesus Christ, and conjured him to
rescue a Christian city from the domination of the infidels.
Baldwin readily yielded to their prayers, and immediately
prepared to cross the Euphrates.
He had the good fortune to escape the Turks, who were
waiting for him on his passage, and without drawing a
sword he arrived in the territories of Edessa. As he had
placed garrisons in the cities which had fallen into his
power, he had no greater force with him than one hundred
horsemen. As soon as he drew near to the city, the whole
* None of the Latin historians have given us the name of the governor
of Edessa. The name of Theodore is found in the History of Matthew of
Edessa, from which we have taken, according to the translation of
M. Corbied, several curious details, which would be sought for in vain
elsewhere.