Memoirs | Page 5

they were brought to
the Doge in the grand palace, where had been assembled the great and
the little council. And when the Doge delivered the treaties to the
envoys, he knelt greatly weeping, and swore on holy relics faithfully to
observe the conditions thereof, and so did all his council, which
numbered fifty-six persons. And the envoys, on their side, swore to
observe the treaties, and in all good faith to maintain their oaths and the
oaths of their lords; and be it known to you that for great pity many a
tear was there shed. And forthwith were messengers sent to Rome, to
the Pope Innocent, that he might confirm this covenant-the which he

did right willingly.
Then did the envoys borrow five thousand marks of silver, and gave
them to the Doge so that the building of the ships
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might be begun. And taking leave to return to their own land, they
journeyed day by day till they came to Placentia in Lombardy. There
they parted. Geoffry, the Marshal of Champagne and Alard Maquereau
went straight to France, and the others went to Genoa and Pisa to learn
what help might there be had for the land overseass
When Geoffry, the Marshal of Champagne., passed over Mont Cenis,
he came in with Walter of Brienne, going into Apulia, to conquer the
land of his wife, whom he had married since he took the cross, and who
was the daughter of King Tancred. With him went Walter of
Montbéliard, and Eustace of Conflans, Robert of Joinville, and a great
part of the people of worth in Champagne who had taken the cross.
And when he told them the news how the envoys had fared, great was
their joy, and much did they prize the arrangements made. And they
said, " We are already on our way; and when you come, you will find
us ready." But events fall out as God wills, and never had they power to
join the host. This was much to our loss; for they were of great prowess
and valiant. And thus they parted, and each went on his way.
So rode Geoffry the Marshal, day by day, that he came to Troyes in
Champagne, and found his lord the Count Thibaut sick and languishing,
and right glad was the count of his coming. And when he had told the
count how he had fared, the count was so rejoiced that he said he would
mount horse, a thing he had not done of a long time. So he rose from
his bed and rode forth. But alas, how great the pity! For never again did
he bestride horse but that once.
His sickness waxed and grew worse, so that at the last he made his will
and testament, and divided the money which he would have taken with
him on pilgrimage among his followers and companions, of whom he
had many that were very good men and true-no one at that time had
more. And he ordered that each one, on receiving his money, should
swear on holy relics, to join the host at Venice, according as he had
promised. Many there were who kept that oath badly, and so incurred
great blame. The count ordered that another portion of his treasure
should be retained, and taken to the host, and there expended as might

seem best.
Thus died the count; and no man in this world made a better end. And
there were present at that time a very
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great assemblage of men of his lineage and of his vassals. But of the
mourning and funeral pomp it is unmeet that I should here speak.
Never was more honour paid to any man. And right well that it was so,
for never was man of his age more beloved by his own men, nor by
other folk. Buried he was beside his father in the church of our lord St.
Stephen at Troyes. He left behind him the Countess, Ws wife, whose
name was Blanche, very fair, very good, the daughter of the King of
Navarre. She had borne him a little daughter, and was then about to
bear a son.
THE CRUSADERS LOOK FOR ANOTHER CHIEF
When the Count was buried, Matthew of Montmorency, Simon of
Montfort, Geoffry of Joinville who was seneschal, and Geoffry the
Marshal, went to Odo, Duke of Burgundy, and said to him, " Sire, your
cousin is dead. You see what evil has befallen the land overseass We
pray you by God that you take the cross, and succour the land overseas
in his stead. And we will cause you to have all his treasure, and will
swear on holy relics, and make the others swear also, to serve you in all
good faith, even