For two whole years they had toiled and suffered in
the hope of reaching Jerusalem. Now it lay before them.
But it had yet to be taken. For more than five weeks the Crusaders
carried on the siege. Finally, on the 15th of July, 1099, the
Turks surrendered. The Moslem flag was hauled down and the banner
of the cross floated over the Holy City.
A few days after the Christians had occupied Jerusalem Godfrey of
Bouillon was chosen king of the Holy Land.
"I will accept the office," he said, "but no crown must be put on
my head and I must never be called king. I cannot wear a crown of
gold where Christ wore one of thorns nor will I be called king in
the land where once lived the King of Kings."
Peter the Hermit is said to have preached an eloquent sermon on the
Mount of Olives. He did not, however, remain long in Jerusalem,
but after the capture of the city returned to Europe. He founded
a monastery in France and within its walls passed the rest of his
life.
Frederick Barbarossa
Emperor from 1152-1190
I
Frederick I was one of the most famous of German emperors. He was
a tall, stalwart man of majestic appearance.
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