CHAPTER LIII.

CURTHOSE AT THE CRUSADE:--Peter the Hermit--Success of his preaching--Curthose and Atheling resolve to take part in the Crusade--Rufus supplies them with money--Curthose's popularity--Edgar Atheling does not go with Curthose--Atheling sets out for Scotland, to dethrone Donald Bane--Curthose meets the other princes at Constantinople--Curthose's valour--At Antioch--Edgar Atheling joins Curthose--Atheling and Curthose the terror of the Saracens--Election of the King of Jerusalem--Curthose declines the honour--Death of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux--Curthose at Conversano--The territory of Conversano--Curthose marries Sybil, daughter of the Count of Conversano--Waste of time