volume one

444 HISTORY OF THE CBUSADES.
JLirv', they acknowledged, in their various differences, no other
arbitrator or judge but the sword : rehgion had not sufficient
empire over their minds to humble their pride, and each
would have thou2:ht himself des^raded, if he had either demanded
or accepted peace. To ascertain, at a glance, how
little hope could be founded on the union of these two
princes, it is only necessary to observe, that Philip, on
ascending his throne, had shown himself to be the most
inveterate enemy of England, and that Eichard was the son
of that Eleanor of Guienne, the first wife of Louis YII.,
Avho, after the second crusade, had quitted her husband,
threatening Erance with her revenge.
After the conference of Grisors, the archbishop of Tyre
repaired to Germany, to solicit Frederick Barbarossa to take
the cross. This prince had signalized his valour in forty
battles ; a long and fortunate reign had rendered his name
illustrious ; but his age recognised no glory as true but that
which was won in Asia. He wished to deserve the praises
of his pious contemporaries, and took up arms for the
deliverance of the Holy Land ; he was, likewise, doubtless
influenced by the scruples which his quarrels with the pope
had left upon his conscience, and by his desire to perfect
liis reconciliation with the Holy See.
A oreneral diet was assembled at Mavence. The nobles
and prelates would not allow Germany to remain indifferent
to a cause which had inflamed the zeal of the other nations
of Eui'ope. Frederick, whose devotion they encom*aged,
descended from his throne, amidst general acclamations, and
received the sign of the Crusaders from the hands of the
archbishop of Tyre. His example was followed by his son,
Frederick duke of Swabia ; Leopold duke of Austria, and
Berthold duke of Moravia ;
Herman, marquis of Baden, the
count of Nassau, the bishops of Besan9on, Munster, Osnaburg,
and Passau, with a crowd of barons and knights, like-
"wise swore to deliver the tomb of Christ.
The war against the infidels was preached in all the
churches. Happy, said the sacred orators, are they who
undertake this holy voyage ; more happy are they who never
return from it. Among the prodigies that appeared to
announce the will of Heaven, the miraculous vision of a
virgin of Lewenstein, is particularly mentioned. She had