Hermit, went about preaching a crusade, that is, exhorting the princes and nobles in France, Germany, and Italy, to undertake this war, which was called a crusade, or croisade, because the ensign on their banners was to be the Cross.
33. Robert, Duke of Normandy, was among the first crusaders, and, as he wanted money to keep himself and all the fighting men he took with him, he pledged his duchy to his brother, William Rufus, for a very large sum.
34. The English did not join in these wars, at first, but after a time there was scarcely a knight or noble in the land that did not go to the Crusades, for they were continued, in all, more than two hundred years; and, during two hundred years; and, during that time, great numbers of the lower order of people in England were freed from bondage, in consequence of being allowed to purchase their liberty to supply their lords with money for these wars.
35. William Rufus, who was killed by accident as he was hunting in the New Forest, was succeeded by his brother, Henry the First, surnamed Beauclerk, because he was a learned man, who behaved much better to the Saxon English than the two former kings had done, and restored to some of the old families a part of their ancient possessions.
