20 INTRODUCTION. 
Epirus. The impetuosity, however, of the counttt 
of Vermandois and Flanders impelled them to bra v 
the dangers of the sea, and to pass over with 
troops. The duke of Normandy, and the counts of 
Chartres and Bologne, passed the winter at Salerno. 
In the April following they proceeded on their eX-— 
pedition from the ports of Apulia®. In their way 
to Bari they visited the monastery of mount Casino, 
to recommend themselves to the prayers of the 
monks, and the protection of saint Benedict om 
hence they sailed over to Durazzo, arrived ‘“ Con 
stantinople, and joined the armies of the c 
at the siege of Nice. af 
It is unnecessary to relate here the prodigioll 
valour performed by duke Robert in Palestine 
After the conquest of the holy city, the victory 4 
Ascalon, the election of Godfrey, and the establish- 
ment of the kingdom of Jerusalem, the greater part 
of the crusaders returned home, crowned with glory: 
esta Francorum ue eeenae Hierosol, Anon. 2. id 
Polis vol. i. p. 562. sect. 4. Mat. Paris, Lond. 1684, a : 
Watts, p. 24, Isti omnes (Robertus, etc.) in Apulia et Calabria, £ 
circa hyemis ingruentis initium, nivium et glaciorum vitae 
incommoda, expectabant, donec felicior aura arrideret. 
# Pet. Diaconus, lib. iv, cap. ii. p. 498, Mabillon, vol. 
p- 238. 
