240

THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book i.

Bohemond, Prince of Antioch. Foulques, if not aNorman, was nearly allied to the Normans of theroyal family of England, and therefore of the Nor-man party. On return from an unfortunate attemptagainst Damascus, in the arms of his Melisenda^ and her husband, and blessing their infantson, in 1131 died the last of Godfrey’s com-panions—and also as such loved and revered—theillustrious warrior Baldwin II., a virtuous andsagacious king.

About this same time, Sir Raymond received thetwo bulls of Innocent II., dated 1130, both in thefirst year of his pontificate. “ How pleasing to God,and how venerable to man, is at least one spot onearth! How commodious, how useful a refuge isthat which the Hospitallers’ house of hospitality inJerusalem affords to all poor pilgrims who face thevarious dangers by land and sea with the piousand devout wish to visit that sacred city, and ourLord’s Sepulchre, as is well known to the wholeuniverse. There indeed are the indigent assisted,and every sort of humane attention is shown to theweak, fatigued by their numerous labours anddangers! They are there refreshed, and resumetheir strength; so that they are enabled to see thesacred places which have been sanctified by ourSaviour’s corporal presence. Nor do the brethren