CHAPTER XIV.

THE FIRST CRUSADE.

The Institution of Chivalry--Affairs in the Holy Land--Pilgrimages--Persecution of Christians--Peter the Hermit--Crusade Decided on--Progress of Peter's Mission--The Council of Clermont--Attitude of Pope Urban--The Truce of God--Expedition of Walter the Penniless--Excesses of the Crusaders--Defeat of the Christians by the Turks--Conduct of the Emperor Alexius--Disaster in Hungary--Geoffrey de Bouillon--March of his Army--Robert of Normandy and his Troops--Imprisonment of Hugh of Vermandois--Arrival of Godfrey before Constantinople--The Byzantine Court--The Church of Santa Sophia--Scenes of Magnificence--Reception of Godfrey by the Emperor--Tancred's Army leaves Italy--Bohemond's Submission--Count Raymond at Constantinople--Arrival of Robert of Normandy--Siege of Nicæa--Treachery of the Emperor--Severe Struggle with the Turks--Bravery of Robert--Flight of the Turks--Crusaders' Sufferings on their March--Siege and fall of Antioch--Defeat of the Persians--Pestilence at Antioch--Arrival of the Crusaders before Jerusalem--Fall of the City--Vengeance of the Crusaders--Godfrey elected King of Jerusalem--Hospitallers and Templars--Close of the First Crusade 132