f seven
hundred Swabians and some volunteers of Lorraine. In his long progress
from Mantua to Beneventum, a vile and promiscuous multitude of Italians
was enlisted under the holy standard: [33] the priest and the robber
slept in the same tent; the pikes and crosses were intermingled in the
front; and the martial saint repeated the lessons of his youth in the
order of march, of encampment, and of combat. The Normans of Apulia
could muster in the field no more than three thousand horse, with a
handful of infantry: the defection of the natives intercepted their
provisions and retreat; and their spirit, incapable of fear, was chilled
for a moment by superstitious awe. On the hostile approach of Leo, they
knelt without disgrace or reluctance before their spiritual father.
But the pope was inexorable; his lofty Germans affected to deride the
diminutive stature of their adversaries; and the Normans were informed
that death or exile was their only alternative. Flight they disdained,
and, as many of them had been three days without tasting food, they
embraced the assurance of a more easy and honorable death. They climbed
the hill of Civitella, descended into the plain, and charged in three
divisions the army of the pope. On the left, and in the centre, Richard
count of Aversa, and Robert the famous Guiscard, attacked, broke,
routed, and pursued the Italian multitudes, who fought without
discipline, and fled without shame. A harder trial was reserved for
the valor of Count Humphrey, who led the cavalry of the right wing. The
Germans [34] have been described as unskillful in the management of the
horse and the lance, but on foot they formed a strong and impenetrable
phalanx; and neither man, nor steed, nor armor, could resist the weight
of their long and two-handed swords. After a severe conflict, they were
encompassed by the squadrons returning from the pursuit; and died in the
ranks with the esteem of their foes, and the satisfaction of revenge.
The gates of Civitella were shut against the flying pope, and he was
overtaken by the pious conquerors, who kissed his feet, to implore his
blessing and the absolution of their sinful victory. The soldiers beheld
in their enemy and captive the vicar of Christ; and, though we may
suppose the policy of the chiefs, it is probable that they were infected
by the popular superstition. In the calm of retirement, the well-meaning
pope deplored the effusion of Christian blood, which must be imputed