The History of the Crusades (vol. 1 of 3)Michaud, J. Fr. (Joseph Fr.)
History
The History of the Crusades (vol. 1 of 3)
Michaud, J. Fr. (Joseph Fr.)
Crusades
Many years after the death of Frotmonde, Centius, prefect of Rome, who
had used violence to the Pope in the church of St. Mary the Great, who
had dragged him from the altar, and placed him in a dungeon, needed
nothing more to expiate this sacrilege than to perform the pilgrimage
to the Holy Land. Foulque-Nerra, count of Anjou, charged with crimes,
and stained with blood, thought to efface all his cruelties by a voyage
to Jerusalem. His brother, whom he had caused to perish in a dungeon,
presented himself wherever he went, before his eyes; it appeared to him
that the numerous victims sacrificed to his ambition in unjust wars
issued from their tombs to disturb his sleep, and reproach him for his
barbarity. Pursued everywhere by these frightful images, Foulque left
his states, and repaired to Palestine, in the garb of a pilgrim. When
he arrived at Jerusalem, he passed through the streets of the holy
city with a cord about his neck, beaten with rods by his domestics,
repeating in a loud voice these words: “Lord, have pity on a perjured
and fugitive Christian.” During his abode in Palestine,[28] he bestowed
numerous benefactions, comforted the miseries of the pilgrims, and left
everywhere testimonials of his devotion and charity. He returned to his
duchy, bringing with him a portion of the true cross, and the stone
upon which he had knelt when he prayed before the tomb of Christ.
Foulque, on returning to his dominions, was desirous of having always
under his eyes an image of the places he had visited, and caused to
be built, near the castle of Loches, a monastery and a church, which
bore the name of the Holy Sepulchre. In the midst of the remembrances
of his pilgrimage, he still heard the voice of remorse, and set off a
second time for Jerusalem. He once more edified the Christians of the
holy city by the expressions of his repentance and the austerities
of his penance. As he was returning to his duchy, in passing through
Italy, he delivered the Roman state from a brigand who plundered the
towns and villages, and made war upon all merchants and pilgrims. The
pope praised his zeal and his bravery, gave him absolution for his
sins, and permitted him to bear about with him the relics of two holy
martyrs. When he left Rome, he was conducted in triumph by the people
and the clergy, who proclaimed him their liberator. On his arrival
in Anjou, he re-established peace in his dominions, which had been
in great confusion during his absence. Restored to his country, his
family, and his subjects, who had forgotten his cruelties; reconciled
with the Church, which declared him its benefactor, he appeared to
have no more crimes to expiate, or wishes to form for his old age; but
neither the absolution of the pope, nor the peace of his states, nor
the blessings of the people—nothing could calm his soul, for ever
torn with remorse. He could not escape from the image of his brother,
which pursued him still, and recalled to his mind the crimes with which
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