THE PERIOD OF THE CRUSADES AND OF THE PAPAL SCHISM WILL EXTEND FROM THE FIRST CRUSADE, 1095, TO THE COMMENCE

MENT OF THE REFORMATION, BY LUTHER, 1517

Sec. 1. We have now arrived at the latter part of the eleventh century, at which time, we meet with the Crusades, or Holy Wars, as they were called. These wars are but little connected with the history of the kingdom of Christ; but, as they arose out of the superstition of the age-as they form a prominent feature in the history of the antichristian apostacy, and were improved by the popes to increase

What is the extent of the Period of the Crusades, and of the Papal Schism?

Sec. 1. Why in an ecclesiastical history, is it proper to give some account of the Crusades?

their influence, and especially as the relation of them throws some light on the history of Europe, during this benighted period, it may not be without its use to give in this place a concise account of them.

Sec. 2.In the year 637, as already mentioned, (Period 5, Sec. 18,) Jerusalem was conquered by the Saracens ; but, influenced by self interest, they allowed the thousand pilgrims, who daily flocked to the "Holy City," on the payment of a moderate tribute, to visit the sepulchre of Christ—to perform their religious duties, and to retire in peace.

Towards the close of the tenth, and beginning of the eleventh century, the passion for pilgrimages was greatly increased, by an opinion which began to prevail over Europe, that the thousand years mentioned by John, (Rev. 20, 2-4) were nearly accomplished, and the end of the world at hand. A general consternation seized the minds of men. Numbers relinquished their possessions, forsook their families and friends, and hastened to the holy land, where they imagined Christ would suddenly appear to judge the living and the dead.

Sec. 3. In the year 1065, the Turks took possession of Jerusalem; and the pilgrims were no longer safe. They were insulted; in their worship they were derided, and their effects were not unfrequently plundered.

Sec. 4. Towards the conclusion of the eleventh century (1095,) Peter the hermit, a

Sec. 2. In what year was Jerusalem conquered by the Saracens ? What privilege did they grant to

Christians?

When did the passion for pilgrimages greatly increase? What reason may be assigned for this?

Sec. 3. When did the Turks take possession of Jerusalem? What was the consequence to pilgrims?

Sec. 4, Who was Peter the hermit? At what time

Frenchman, born at Amiens, who had returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he had witnessed the trials, to which the pilgrims were exposed; conceived the project of arming the sovereigns and people of Europe, for the purpose of rescuing the holy sepulchre, out of the

hands of the infidels.

With the above object in view, Peter travelled from prov. ince to province, exciting princes and people to embark in this holy enterprise. His personal appearance excited the curiosity of all classes. His clothes were exceedingly mean; his body seemed wasted with famine; his head was bare; his feet naked; in his hand he bore aloft a large crucifix. When he painted the sufferings of the natives and pilgrims of Palestine," says Gibbon, "every heart was melted to compassion; every breast glowed with indignation, when he challenged the warriors of the age to defend their brethren, and rescue the Saviour."

Sec. 5. At this time, Urban II. occupied the papal chair. Perceiving the advantages of such an enterprise to the Roman Hierarchy, the entered into the views of Peter, and zealously set himself to enlist the princes and people of Europe, to arm against the Mahometans In consequence of the measures adopted, a numerous army was collected, which, after a variety of fortune, reached Jerusalem, and was successful in planting the standard of the cross on the holy sepulchre.

did he conceive the project of arming the sovereigns of Europe, for rescuing the holy sepulchre from the Turks?

With this object in view, what steps did Peter take? What was the effect of this harangue upon the people?

Sec. 5. Who was the pope at this time? How did he regard the proposal of Peter? What was the success of the first enterprise.

1

Urban, at first, doubting the success of such a project, though he greatly desired it, summoned a council at Placentia. It consisted of 4000 ecclésiastics, and 30,000 of the people; all of whom unanimously declared for the war, though few seemed inclined personally to engage in the service. A second council was held, during the same year at Clermont, at which the pope himself addressed the multitude. At the conclusion of his address, they exclaimed, "It is the will of God! It is the will of God!"

Persons of all ranks now flew to arms with the utmost ardour. Eternal salvation was promised all who should go forth to the help of the Lord. A spirit of enthusiasm pervaded Europe. Not only nobles and bishops, with the thousands subject to their influence, entered into the cause with emulation; but even women, concealing their sex in the disguise of armour, were eager to share in the glory of the enterprise. Robbers, and incendiaries, and murderers, and other kindred characters, embraced the opportunity to expiate their sins, and to secure a place in the paradise of God.

At the head of an undisciplined multitude, amounting to 300,000, Peter the hermit, in the spring of 1096, commenced his march towards the east. Subject to little control, this army of banditti, for such it may properly be termed, marked their route with various outrages, particularly towards the Jews, thousands of whom they most inhumanly slew. The frown of providence seemed to settle upon this unholy multitude; for scarcely one third part of them reached Constantinople, and even these were defeated, and utterly destroyed, in a battle at Nice, by the Sultan Solyman.

A formidable body of disciplined troops was, however, following in the rear; and not long after reached the environs of Constantinople. At the head of these was the distinguished Godfrey of Bouillon, supported by Baldwin, his brother Robert, duke of Normandy, and various other distinguished princes, and generals of Europe. On reaching Nice, Godfrey reviewed his troops, which were found to amount to 100,000 horse, and 600,000 foot.

Nice was soon taken by the invaders; the conquest of What measures did Urban take to rouse the public mind? With what effect? Who led the first body of men belonging to this expedition ? What was their number? What their character ? What their fate? Who led the more disciplined troops? What was their number? What places did they take? Whom did they

which was followed by the capture of Edessa and Antioch, where they vanquished an army of 600,000 Saracens. On their arrival at Jerusalem, A. D. 1099, their numbers had greatly diminished, owing partly to disasters, and partly to the detachments which they had been obliged to make, in order to keep possession of the places which they had conquered. According to the testimony of historians, they scarcely exceeded 20,000 foot, and 1500 horse, while the garrison of Jerusalem consisted of 40,000 men.

Notwithstanding this inequality in respect to numbers, the invaders resolutely besieged the city; and after a siege of five weeks took it by assault, and put the garrison and inhabitants to the sword, without distinction.

The conquest of the city being thus achieved, Godfrey was saluted king. The crown, however, he enjoyed only about a year; being compelled to resign it to a legate of his Holiness, the pope, who claimed it as the rightful property of the Roman See.

Sec. 6. The Holy City being now in possession of the friends of the Cross, the conquer ors began to return to Europe. The Turks, however, gradually recovered their strength, and at length fell upon the new kingdom, threatening it with utter ruin. A second crusade was now found necessary.

This was

preached by the famous St. Bernard, through whose influence, (an army of 300,000 men was raised from among the subjects of Louis VII. of France, and Conrad III. of Germany. This army, headed by these monarchs, took up its march towards Jerusalem, in the year 1147 The enterprise, however, failed, and after encountering incredible hardships, besides the

vanquish? What was their number on reaching Jerusalem? By what means had they become so much diminished? How long did the siege of Jerusalem last? Who was made king? How long did he continue so?

Sec. 6. When did the second crusade begin? Of whom was it composed? Who headed it? What was the result of this crusade ?