volume one

34ri HISTOfiT OF THE CEUSADES.
showed tlie same imprudence in the choice of their leaders,
nor the same impatience to march. France and G-ermany
had not to suffer the depredations of an undisciplined multitude.
The first crusade, some of the armies of which were
commanded by princes and knights, and others bv adventurers
and monks, exhibited all the Hcense and the tumultuous
passions that are met with in unsettled repubhcs. In
the second holy war, which was led by two powerful princes,
the more regrdar forms of a monarchy were preserved. The
smaller vassals gathered around their lords, and the hitter
were obedient to the orders of the king of France or the
emperor of G-ermany. Such good order in the outset of the
holy enterprise appeared to promise certain victory, and
could create no forethought of the disasters which awaited
the Christian armies.
The city of Metz was the rendezvous of the French Crusaders,
and Eatisbon that of the G-ermans. The roads
which led to these cities were covered with pilgrims, marching
under the banners of their lords. A great number of
warriors also repaired to the ports of Flanders, England, and
Italy, where fleets were prepared for the transport of pro-
visions and arms, with Crusaders who were impatient to
arrive in Asia.
As the routes to the East were now known, the pilgrims
deceived themselves less with regard to the countries they
had to pass through. The sovereign pontiff had advised the
barons and knights not to take with them either dogfs or
birds for sport ; they renounced the luxury of their castles,
and contented themselves with their arms.* They even had
the precaution to take with them things that might be required
in a distant journey ; the Crusaders, but particularly
the Germans, carried all sorts of instruments for throwing
bridges, cutting down forests, and clearing roads.
The greatest difficulty was to fixid money to defi^ay the
expenses of the holy war. All whom infirmities or particular
circumstances detained in Europe were anxious to assist, by
* The pope had forbidden luxury amoag the Crusaders ;
he expressed
himself thus ia a circular :—Xec eant in restibus pretiosis, et cum canibus
fcive avibtts. aut aliis quae ostentationi potius et lasciviae, quam necessariis
videantur usibus deservire, sed in modesto apparatu, et habitu, in quo
poeniteatiam potiu3 agere quam inanem affectari gloriam videantur.