CHAP. VI.] 



THE CRUSADES. 



171 



and with their stout lances their onset was terrible, while 

 in the hand-to-hand conflict, nothing could withstand the 

 crushing blows of their ponderous swords, maces, and 

 battle-axes. The Saracens were superb light cavalry, 

 equipped for and accustomed to rapid manoeuvres. They 

 handled the keen cimeter with wonderful dexterity, and 

 threw their javelins, or shot their arrows, with remarkable 

 skill. Their armour, although of the same description of 

 chain mail, had equal powers of resistance, but was 

 lighter and more flexible, and much superior to the 

 clumsy and weighty armour of the first crusaders. 



This oriental chain mail was of excellent workmanship 

 and beautifully adorned with gilding. The helmet, or 

 bead-piece (which was provided with a nasal which, pro- 

 longed above the crown, carried a plume on the crest) 

 was light, and highly ornamented with gilding and 

 damascene work in gold. The shield was small, round, 

 and had a boss or point in the centre. The inferior 

 soldiers were all archers. The Saracens soon adopted 

 the lance. 



They could not stand against the weighty and ponder- 

 ous charge of the western knights, and at first were con- 

 tinually defeated, but in time they gained experience, 

 and avoided the direct charge. More active and rapid 

 in their movements, they rushed first upon one flank, 

 then on the other, charging up and retreating, but ever 

 ready to take advantage of any opening. Dexterous and 

 brave horsemen, and perfect masters of the art of swords- 

 manship, the agile Saracens would cut down the lances, 

 parry their thrusts, and if a weak point could be found 

 in their opponent's armour, drive home a deadly blow, 

 with their finely tempered blades. 



Although the numbers of the crusaders were so great, 

 the individual courage and training of the knights so 

 high, and the moral enthusiasm of the whole mass so 

 exalted, yet the results were not satisfactory, the success 

 only partial and evanescent, and the losses and suff'ering 

 endured terrible beyond description. The Crusades teach, 

 more powerfully than any argument, the absolute neces- 



