Page:The Queens of England.djvu/59

ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE. 47 by assuming the cross ; and Eleanor, equally guilty and even more impulsive than her husband, determined to accompany him, as sovereign of Aquitaine, for the honor of God and the peace of her own soul. Louis received the cross upon his knees from the hands of St. Bernard, and -his nobles followed his example. It is prob- able that the love of novelty and romantic adventure, which would have great fascination for a poetic nature like Eleanor's, influenced her as much in this sudden show of devotion as affection for Louis, or even, the penitence which she professed. Nor does it appear that Louis was adverse to her wishes ; on the contrary, it is supposed that he feared leaving her behind him in France, where she must have been placed at the head of the government, which, with his knowledge of her volatile and ambitious character, he knew would be a dangerous ex- periment. However that might be, it was unfortunate for the success of the crusade that Eleanor and her ladies enlisted un- der its banners. In vain the wise Suger, the able minister of Louis, used his utmost endeavors to induce his master to give up this mad enterprise ; in vain was it that great dissatisfaction prevailed throughout France in consequence of the heavy taxes which were levied on account of it. Louis was steadfast in what he believed to be his religious duty, and the romantic fanaticism which seized on the queen and her court spread like wildfire through the country. Thousands of young nobles joined the crusade for the sake of their fair ladies, who had sent their distaffs to such as appeared lukewarm, compelling them through shame to join in the wild undertaking. Even wits and poets enlisted in the crusade to amuse the nobles and to relieve the fatigues of the journey, as well as to immortalize in song the warriors and fair ones who gave so distinguished a character to this expedition. Some women entered these lists from curi- osity ; others from religious motives ; some accompanied their husbands ; and others, young maidens, followed their lovers to the Holy Land. These female crusaders were armed and accoutred like Amazons, and being mounted on horseback, composed a squadron which styled itself Queen Eleanor's Guard. At length, on the nth of June, 1147, Louis set forth with his vast multitude of followers, amounting to 200,000 persons, intending to follow the Emperor Conrad, who, roused also by