Most of the principles of chivalry were Christian in the quality of conduct, if not always of motive. To be just, generous, brave, the defender of weakness, and to be pure in life were certainly Christian duties. The Crusades gave a great field for such virtues. But, alas! it was only to Christians that these virtues were obligatory. The knight often became a devil ranging over lands wrested from Saracen control. But respect for women, undoubtedly enhanced by chivalry, took high ground in the reverence for the Virgin, and, while it did not secure chastity, gave some check to the master passion of the human race. [Sidenote: _Debt to Arabic Learning_] And, finally, the Crusade, introduced the notation, the science, the manufactures, and the medical skill of the Arabs into Europe,--all of which aided the coming of the light to the Dark Ages. Of all these results, Peter the Hermit was the unconscious forerunner and prophet. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 1: Milman, Hist. Latin Christianity, Book VII, p. 16.] [Footnote 2: Hist. Crusades, Vol. I, p. 1.] [Footnote 3: Cf. Milman, Book VII, p. 17.] [Footnote 4: Aubert's History of the Conquest of Jerusalem, quoted by Michaud.] [Footnote 5: Milman.] [Footnote 6: See Michaud.]