Memoirs | Page 7

thither to preach the
Crusade. And at that place took the cross Odo the Champenois of
Champlitte, and William his brother, Richard of Dampierre, Odo his
brother, Guy of Pesmes, Edmund his brother, Guy of Conflans, and
many other good men of Burgundy, whose names are not recorded.
Afterwards took the cross the Bishop of Autun, Guignes Count of
Forez, Hugh of Bergi (father and son), Hugh of Colemi. Further on in
Provence took the cross Peter Bromont, and many others whose names
are unknown to us.
Thus did the pilgrims make ready in all lands. Alas! a great mischance
befell them in the following Lent (March 1202) before they had started,
for the Count Geoffry of Perche fell sick, and made his will in such
fashion that he directed that Stephen, his brother, should have his goods,
and lead his men in the host. Of this exchange the pilgrims would
willingly have been quit, had God so ordered. Thus did the count make

an end and die; and much evil ensued, for he was a baron high and
honoured, and a good knight. Greatly was he mourned throughout all
his lands.
FIRST STARTING OF THE PILGRIMS FOR VENICE, AND OF
SOME WHO WENT NOT THITHER
After Easter and towards Whitsuntide (June 1202) began the pilgrims
to leave their own country. And you must
know that at their departure many were the tears shed for
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pity and sorrow, by their own people and by their friends. So they
journeyed through Burgundy, and by the mountains of Mont-joux (?
Jura) by Mont Cenis, and through Lombardy, and began to assemble at
Venice, where they were lodged on an island which is called St.
Nicholas in the port.
At that time started from Flanders a fleet that carried a great number of
good men-at-arms. Of this fleet were captains John of Nêle, Castellan
of Bruges, Thierri, who was the son of Count Philip of Flanders, and
Nicholas of Mailly. And these promised Count Baldwin, and swore on
holy relics, that they would go through the straits of Morocco, and join
themselves to him, and to the host of Venice, at whatsoever place they
might hear that the count was faring. And for this reason the Count of
Flanders and Henry his brother had confided to them certain ships
loaded with cloth and food and other wares.
Very fair was this fleet, and rich, and great was the reliance that the
Count of Flanders and the pilgrims placed upon it, because very many
of their good sergeants were journeying therein. But ill did these keep
the faith they had sworn to the count, they and others like them,
because they and such others of the same sort became fearful of the
great perils that the host of Venice had undertaken.
Thus did the Bishop of Autun fail us, and Guignes the Count of Forez,
and Peter Bromont, and many people besides, who were greatly blamed
therein; and of little worth were the exploits they performed there
where they did go. And of the French failed us Bernard of Moreuil,
Hugh of Chaumont, Henry of Araines, John of Villers, Walter of
Saint-Denis, Hugh his brother, and many others, who avoided the
passage to Venice because of the danger, and went instead to
Marseilles-whereof they received shame, and much were they

blamed-and great were the mishaps that afterwards befell them.
OF THE PILGRIMS WHO CAME TO VENICE, AND OF THOSE
WHO WENT TO APULIA
Now let us for this present speak of them no further, but speak of the
pilgrims, of whom a great part had already come to Venice. Count
Baldwin of Flanders had already arrived there, and many others, and
thither were tidings brought to
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them that many of the pilgrims were travelling by other ways, and from
other ports. This troubled them greatly, because they would thus be
unable to fulfil the promise made to the Venetians, and find the moneys
that were due.
So they took counsel together, and agreed to send good envoys to meet
the pilgrims, and to meet Count Louis of Blois and Chartres, who had
not yet arrived, and to put them in good heart, and beseech them to
have pity of the Holy Land beyond the sea, and show them that no
other passage, save that from Venice, could be of profit.
For this embassy they made choice of Count Hugh of Saint-Paul and
Geoffry the Marshal of Champagne, and these rode till they came to
Pavia in Lombardy. There they found Count Louis with a great many
knights and men of note and worth; and by encouragements and prayers
prevailed on many to proceed to Venice who would otherwise have
fared from other ports, and by other ways.
Nevertheless from Placentia many men of note