Had I not been limited as to space, the _ring_ in the hand of Violante's grandson would have projected the catastrophe of the Sicilian Vespers. For the same reason, I could only allude to the strife between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, to the civil wars of France and England, to the Crusade against the Albigenes, and the founding of the Inquisition by St. Dominic, when, in quest of heresy, he traversed the hills and vales of Languedoe, and doomed to death those brave spirits who dared to exercise the right of private judgment. Eva is the only purely fictitious character of any importance in the work, and she was drawn from life, a portrait which some of you may recognize. Fuller, in his "Holy War," contradicts the legend of Eleanora's drawing the poison from Edward's wound, but adds, "he who shall disprove this pretty fiction shall get to himself little credit," and I confess I had not the courage thus warned to attempt it. I would here gratefully acknowledge my obligations to the gentlemen of the Rochester University, through whose politeness I have been permitted to consult several works of early English authors not republished in this country, from which I have made liberal extracts both of facts and language. In conclusion, I can only say I have endeavored to set before you a true history in a series of entertaining stories. In the former, I am confident I have succeeded both as regards events and chronology; of the latter I am somewhat doubtful; but if my "Heroines" have the effect to awaken curiosity and induce research, I shall feel that "they have their reward." CLOVER STREET SEM., _Nov. 30th, 1852_. CONTENTS. Page ADELA OF BLOIS 19 ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE 119 BERENGARIA OF NAVARRE 195 ISABELLA OF ANGOULEME 279 VIOLANTE OF JERUSALEM 307 ELEANORA OF CASTILE 341 FIRST CRUSADE, A.D. 1090 75 SECOND CRUSADE, A.D. 1147 132 THIRD CRUSADE, A.D. 1187 221 FOURTH CRUSADE, A.D. 1198 272 FIFTH CRUSADE, A.D. 1203 281 SIXTH CRUSADE, A.D. 1215 315 SEVENTH CRUSADE, A.D. 1249 347 EIGHTH CRUSADE, A.D. 1272 377 NOTES 461 Leaders of Crusades. GODFREY OF BOULOGNE, FIRST CRUSADE. STEPHEN, COUNT OF BLOIS, " " LOUIS VII. OF FRANCE, SECOND " FREDERIC I. BARBAROSSA, THIRD " PHILIP II. AUGUSTUS, " " RICHARD I. COEUR DE LION, " " HENRY, COUNT OF CHAMPAGNE, FOURTH " CONRAD OF GERMANY, " " THIBAUT, COUNT OF CHAMPAGNE, FIFTH " DANDOLO, DOGE OF VENICE, " " JEAN DE BRIENNE, KING OF JERUSALEM, " " HUGH X. DE LUSIGNAN, COUNT LA MARCHE, " "