and many mischiefs unseen as yet, would appear in his
absence: Besides, his vow was made in his sicknesse, whilest
reason was scarce as yet in the peaceable possession of his mind,
because of the remnant-dregs of his disease: It might also be
dispensed with by the Pope; yea, his deserts did challenge so
much from his Holinesse. King Lewis, as perswaded hereat, laid
down the Crosse to the great comfort and contentment of all
the beholders: But then altering his countenance, he required
the Crosse should be restored to him again, and vowed to eat no
bread untill he was recognized with the Pilgrimes badge. And
because his vow should suffer no diminution or abatement from
his disease, now no longer Lewis the sick, but Lewis the sound
undertook the holy Warre. His Nobles seeing him too stiff to
be unbent, and counting it a kind of sacrilegious counsel to dis∣swade
him from so pious a work, left him to his own resoluti∣ons.
There went along with him his two brothers, Charles
Earl of Anjou, Robert Earl of Artois, his own Queen, and
their Ladies, Odo the Popes Legate, Hugh Duke of Burgundie,
William Earl of Flanders, Hugh Earl of St. Paul, and William
Longspath Earl of Sarisbury with a band of valiant English
men, who went without licence from Henry King of England:
For in those dayes this doctrine went currant, That their Prin∣ces
leave was rather of complement then essentiall to their voy∣age;
as if the band of this holy Warre was an acquitance from
all others. Our Henry displeased at this Earls departure, for his
disobedience deprived him of his Earldome and castle of Saris∣bury,
not suffering that sheep to grase in his pasture which would
not own him for his shepherd. William also sonne to this
Earl, smarting for his fathers fault, never enjoyed that honour.
And though King Henry himself being a Prince of more devoti∣on
then policie, did most affectionately tender this Holy cause,
yet he used this necessary severity towards this Earl at this time;
first, because it would weaken his land thus to be dispeopled of
martiall men; secondly, his subjects forwardnesse might be in∣terpreted
a secret check of his own backwardnesse in that warre;
thirdly, the sucking in of forrein aire did wean people from
their naturall Prince, and did insensibly usher into their hearts
an alienation from their own Sovereigne, and a dependence on
the King of France; lastly, he had some thoughts on that voyage
himself, and reserved such prime Peers to attend on his own per∣son
thither.
The Pope gave to this King Lewis his charges, the tenth of
the Clergies revenues through France for three years; and the
King imployed the Popes collectours to gather it, knowing those
leaches were the best suckers. Hereupon the states of the Cler∣gy
were shaved as bare as their crowns; and a poore Priest who