The Institution of Chivalry--Affairs in the Holy Land--Pilgrimages--Persecution of Christians--Peter the Hermit--Crusade Decided on--Progress of Peter's Mission--The Council of Clermont--Attitude of Pope Urban--The Truce of God--Expedition of Walter the Penniless--Excesses of the Crusaders--Defeat of the Christians by the Turks--Conduct of the Emperor Alexius--Disaster in Hungary--Geoffrey de Bouillon--March of his Army--Robert of Normandy and his Troops--Imprisonment of Hugh of Vermandois--Arrival of Godfrey before Constantinople--The Byzantine Court--The Church of Santa Sophia--Scenes of Magnificence--Reception of Godfrey by the Emperor--Tancred's Army leaves Italy--Bohemond's Submission--Count Raymond at Constantinople--Arrival of Robert of Normandy--Siege of Nicæa--Treachery of the Emperor--Severe Struggle with the Turks--Bravery of Robert--Flight of the Turks--Crusaders' Sufferings on their March--Siege and fall of Antioch--Defeat of the Persians--Pestilence at Antioch--Arrival of the Crusaders before Jerusalem--Fall of the City--Vengeance of the Crusaders--Godfrey elected King of Jerusalem--Hospitallers and Templars--Close of the First Crusade 132 CHAPTER XV. THE REIGN OF HENRY I. Accession of Henry I.--Robert's Delay in Italy--The Charter of Liberties--Henry's Popularity--Offers his Hand to Matilda--Her Lineage--Obstacles to the Marriage--The Church decides in Favour of it--London at this Period--Coronation of Matilda--Roger of Salisbury--The Marriage--Punishment of William's Favourites--Arrival of Robert in Normandy--Prepares to Attack Henry--Anselm's Services to Henry--Peace effected between the Brothers--Henry's Dispute with Anselm--Strange Policy of the Pope--The Dispute Settled--Death of Anselm--The Earl of Shrewsbury Outlawed--Visit of Robert to England--Campaigns in Normandy--Robert and Edgar Atheling taken Prisoners--Fate of Edgar--Captivity and Death of Robert--Normandy in Possession of Henry--The English King and his Nephew--Return of the King to England--Betrothal of Henry's Daughter Matilda to the Emperor of Germany--War with the Welsh--Death of the Queen--Renewed War in Normandy--Henry before the Council of Rheims--Battle of Brenneville--Treaty of Peace--Shipwreck and Death of the King's Son--Henry's Grief--Character of Prince William--More Trouble in Normandy--The Empress Matilda declared Successor to the Throne--Her Marriage with the Count of Anjou--Death of William of Normandy--Last Years of the King's Life--Death of Henry 152 CHAPTER XVI. REIGN OF KING STEPHEN.