CHAP, i.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 95

The cross was the only real resource for every one,and equalled every one. If it was against theancient discipline for the clergy to bear arms, yetthat this was admitted to be an exceptional casewas highly beneficial to the crusades. If a novelty,and in ordinary occurrences uncanonical, a holyAvar made a difference. Devoted wives folloAvedtheir husbands, or induced them to permit it.Some wives asked for no permission, but their ownwill 5 and on such an excursion, no one daredto blame them. Married or unmarried pairs, setout on the adventure together, no fault could befound with them. Some priests might possiblyhave Asian bishopricks in their heads, even in afeAv instances it was so certainly; but neverthelessthey stuck to their flocks, and preached the sameheawnily doctrines they had always preached. Am-bition also might have had much to do with severalof the leaders who were laymen, and dreamed ofcrowns and empires in Asia, and remembered thata little nosegay of Normans had conquered Sicilyand Puglia.

But notwithstanding all deductions, yet Avasreligious enthusiasm the first and principal causeof this crusade; and put the Avhole Christian worldin motion. Lands, castles, houses, ceasing all atonce to be of any xmlue, might Avell be given away