The historie of the holy vvarre; by Thomas Fuller, B.D. prebendarie of Sarum, late of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge

Chap. 13. The adventurers sorted according to their seve∣rall nations.

THe French, Dutch, Italian, and English were the foure ele∣mentall nations whereof this army was compounded: of these the French were predominant; they were the cape-mer∣chants in this adventure. That nimble nation first apprehended the project, and eagerly prosecuted it. As their language wanteth one proper word to expresse Stand, so their natures mislike a set∣tled, fixed posture, and delight in motion and agitation of busi∣nesse: Yea, France (as being then best at leisure) contributed more souldiers to this warre then all Christendome besides. The signall men were, Hugh surnamed le Grand brother to the King of France, Godfrey Duke of Bouillon, Baldwine and Eu∣stace his younger brethren, Stephen Earl of Bloys father to Ste∣phen afterwards King of England, Reimund Earl of Tholouse, Robert Earl of Flanders, Hugh Earl of Saint-Paul, Baldwine de Burge, with many more; besides of the Clergie, Aimar Bishop of Puy and Legate to the Pope, and William Bishop of Orange.

Germanie is slandered to have sent none to this warre at this first voyage; and that other pilgrimes passing through that coun∣trey, were mocked by the Dutch and called fools for their pains. It is true, the Germane adventurers in number answered not the largenesse and populousnesse of their countrey: for Henry the Emperour (a Prince whom the Pope long hack∣ed at, and hewed him off at last) being desirous to go this voyage, was tied up at home with civill discords. Yet we find a competencie of souldiers of that nation, besides those under Godescalcus a Priest, Emmicho the Rhene-grave, and Count Herman their leaders. But though Germanie was backward at

the first, yet afterwards it proved the main Atlas of the warre: that nation like a heavie bell was long a raising, but being got up made a loud sound.

Italy sent few out of her heart and middle provinces nigh Rome. The Pope was loth to adventure his darlings into dan∣ger: those white-boyes were to stay at home with his Holinesse their tender father: Wherefore he dispensed with them for go∣ing, as knowing how to use their help nearer, and to greater pro∣fit. Peters patrimonie must as well be looked to, as Christs se∣pulchre. But though the Pope would spend none of his own fewel, he burnt the best stakes of the Emperours hedge, and furthered the Imperiall partie to consume it self in this tedious warre. Out of the furthermost parts of Italie, Boemund Prince of Tarentum, and Tancred his nephew (both of the Normane seed, though growing on the Apulian soyl) led an army of twelve thousand men. And Lombardy was also very liberall of her souldiers towards this expedition.

England (the Popes pack-horse in that age, which seldome rested in the stable when there was any work to be done) sent many brave men under Robert Duke of Normandy, brother to William Rufus; as Beauchamp, and others, whose names are lost. Neither surely did the Irish-mens feet stick in their bogs, though we find no particular mention of their atchievements.

Spain had other use for her swords against the Saracens at home, and therefore sent none of her men abroad. As one saith, The Spaniards did follow their own Holy warre; a work more necessary, and no lesse honourable. Thus they acted the same part, though not on the same stage with our Pilgrimes, as being also imployed in fight against the infidels.

Poland had the same excuse for not much appearing clean through this warre; because she lieth bordering on the Tartars in her appendant countrey of Lituania, and therefore was busied in making good her frontiers. Besides, no wonder if Prussia, Li∣tuania, and Livonia were not up in this service; for it was scarce break of day with them, and the sunne of the Gospel was new∣ly (if at all) risen in those parts. Yea, Poland was so farre from sending men hither, that she fetcht them from hence, and after∣wards implored the aid of the Teutonick order, who came out of Palestine to assist her against her enemies.

Hungary might bring filling-stones to this building, but few foundation or corner-stones, and at this time had no commander of note in this action.

Scotland also presenteth us not with any remarkable piece of service which her men performed in all this warre. It was not want of devotion, which was hot enough in that cold countrey: rather we may impute it to want of shipping, that countrey be∣ing

little powerfull at sea: or (which is most probable) the actions of this nation are hidden, as wrapped up in the bundle with some others; I should guesse under the French, but the in∣timacie of those two people is of a farre later date.

Denmark and Norway neare-acquainted with the Arctick pole, though they lagged the last, (and may therein be excused because of the length of the way) were sharers in the honour of this imployment, and performed good sea-service.

Sweden either acted not at all, or else had a very short part in this businesse. That countrey being a separatist because of her remote situation, had little communion with other parts of Eu∣rope. And indeed histories are mute of Sweden, but that of late Gustavus his victorie hath put a tongue into them, and hath made that countrey famous to all posteritie.

Notes

• Centurist. ex Vrsperg. cent. 11. col. 416.
• Pantaleon, De viris Ger. part. 2. pag. 139.
• Daniel, in Will. the se∣cond, pag. 49.
• Daniel, ut priús.
• Aemilius, De gest. Fran. pag. 109.
• Munster, Cosmogr.