THE CRUSADE OF THE CHILDREN
Book XII.. Joseph-Francois Michaud .. Illustrated by Gustave Dore

History of the Crusades

Illus -53 Tissue

THE CRUSADE OF THE CHILDREN

About this period such a circumstance was beheld as had never occurred even in these times so abundant in prodigies and extraordinary events. Fifty thousand children, in France and Germany, braving paternal authority, gathered together and prevaded both cities and countries, singing these words ; "Lord Jesus, restore to us your holy cross !" A great portion of this juvenille militia crossed the Alps, to embark at the Italian ports ; whilst those who came from the provinces of France, directed their course to Marseilles. On the faith of a miraculous revelation, they had been made to believe that this year ( 1213 ) the drought would be so great that the sun would dissipate all the waters of the sea, and thus an easy road for the pilgrims would be opened across the bed of the Mediterranean to the coasts of Syria. Many of these young Crusaders lost themselves in forests, then so abundant and large, and wandering about at hazard, perished with heat, hunger, thirst, and fatique ; others returned to their homes, ashamed of their imprudence, saying, THEY REALLY DID NOT KNOW WHY THEY HAD GONE. Among those that embarked, some where shipwrecked, or given up to the Saracens, against whom they had set out to fight ; many, say the old chronicles, gathered the palms of martyrdom, and offered the infidels the edifying spectacle of the firmness and courage the Christian religion is capable of inspiring at the most tender age as well as at the most mature. - Book XII

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