greatest ascendant over the human
mind: the people, who, being little restrained by honor, and less by
law, abandoned themselves to the worst crimes and disorders, knew of no
other expiation than the observances imposed on them by their spiritual
pastors: and it was easy to represent the holy war as an equivalent for
all penances, and an atonement for every violation of justice and
humanity. But amidst the abject superstition which now prevailed, the
military spirit also had universally diffused itself; and though not
supported by art or discipline, was become the general passion of the
nations governed by the feudal law. All the great lords possessed the
right of peace and war: they were engaged in perpetual hostilities with
each other: the open country was become a scene of outrage and disorder:
the cities, still mean and poor, were neither guarded by walls nor
protected by privileges, and were exposed to every insult: individuals
were obliged to depend for safety on their own force, or their private
alliances: and valor was the only excellence which was held in esteem,
or gave one man the pre-eminence above another. When all the particular
superstitions, therefore, were here united in one great object, the
ardor for military enterprises took the same direction; and Europe,
impelled by its two ruling passions, was loosened, as it were, from its
foundations, and seemed to precipitate itself in one united body upon
the East.

All orders of men, deeming the Crusades the only road to heaven,
enlisted themselves under these sacred banners, and were impatient to
open the way with their sword to the holy city. Nobles, artisans,
peasants, even priests, enrolled their names; and to decline this
meritorious service was branded with the reproach of impiety, or, what
perhaps was esteemed still more disgraceful, of cowardice and
pusillanimity. The infirm and aged contributed to the expedition by
presents and money; and many of them, not satisfied with the merit of
this atonement, attended it in person, and were determined, if
possible, to breathe their last in sight of that city where their
Saviour had died for them. Women themselves, concealing their sex under
the disguise of armor, attended the camp. The greatest criminals were
forward in a service, which they regarded as a propitiation for all
crimes; and the most enormous disorders were, during the course of those
expeditions, committed by men enured to wickedness, encouraged