;* 



i'l 



CHAPTER VI. 



The Crusades. 



In the latter part of the eleventh ceniary, after the 

 institution of chivalry was firmly established, an immense 

 movement took place in Europe, which. aflFected the 

 history of that continent and Asia for about two 

 hundred and fifty years. 



As already mentioned, religion soon became intimately 

 connected with knighthood, and exercised an enormous 

 influence over the members of it. At a period when 

 religious superstition had unbounded sway over all 

 classes, when military exploits were considered the only 

 object of life among the nobility, and when the in- 

 stitution and spread of the order of chivalry had 

 checked the petty feuds and wars between Christian 

 states, Europe contained an inflammable mass of material, 

 that the slightest spark would set in a blaze. 



At this time Peter the Hermit, an enthusiast well 

 fitted for the work, went through Christendom preaching 

 in favour of a crusade, to deliver the Holy Sepulchre 

 from the possession of the infidel. All Europe was soon 

 ringing with the story of the wrongs and cruelties 

 practised upon the pious Christian pilgrims, who in 

 great numbers were continually visiting the Holy Land. 

 Pope Urban H. at once took advantage of the oppor- 

 tunity, and used his influence to range the chivalry of 

 all nations under the banner of the Church. 



Fired by religious enthusiasm immense hordes collected, 

 quarrels between the feudal lords and sovereigns ceased, 

 while all united together to carry on a Holy War against 



