The History of the Holy War, Book 5 · Chapter 21
Chap. 21. The throne of Deserts: What nation merited most praise in this warre; And first of the French and Dutch service therein.
AS in the first book we welcomed each severall nation when they first entred into this service; so it is good manners now to take our solemn farewell of them at their going out, and to examine which of them deserved most commendation for their valour in this warre. And herein me thinketh the distinction usuall in some Colledges, of Founders, By-founders, and Benefactours, may properly take place. The Founders of this Holy warre, were the French; the By-founders, the Dutch, English, and Italian; the Benefactours (according to the different degrees of bountie) the Spanish, Polish, Danish, Scots, and all other people of Europe.
The French I make the Founders for these reasons: First, because they began the action first. Secondly, France in proportion sent most adventurers. Some voyages were all of French, and all voyages were of some French. Yea, French men were so frequent at Jerusalem, that at this day all Western Europeans there are called Franks (as I once conceived, and perchance not without companie in my errour) because so many French men came thither in the Holy warre. Since, I am converted from that false opinion, having found that two hundred yeares before the Holy warre was dreamed of, namely, in the time of Constantine *Vide M. Selden on Polyolbion, pag. 150.Porphyrogenetes Emperour of the East, all Western Christians were known to the Greeks by the name of Franks; so that it seemeth the Turks borrowed that appellation from the Grecians. Thirdly, As France sent the most, so many of most eminent note: She sheweth for the game no worse cards then a pair royall of Kings; Lewis the Young, Philip Augustus, and Saint Lewis; besides Philip the Bold his sonne, who went half-way to Tunis. The first and last Christian King of Europe that went to Palestine was a French man; and all the Kings of Jerusalem, Frederick the Emperour onelyonly excepted, originally were of that nation. Fourthly, Even at this day France is most loyall to the cause. Most grand Masters of the Hospitallers have been French men: And at this day the Knights of Malta, who have but foure Albergies or Seminaries in all Christendome, have *Sandys Travels, pag. 229three of them in France; viz. one of the France in generall, one of Avergne, and one of Provence. Yet France carrieth not the upper hand so clearly but that Germanie justleth for it; especially if we adde to it the Low-countreys, the best stable of woodden horses, and most potent in shipping in that age of any countrey in Europe; which though an amphibion betwixt both, yet custome at this day adjudgeth it Dutch.
Now these are the severall accents of honour in the Germane service: First, That countrey sheweth three Emperours in the Holy warre; Conrade, Frederick Barbarossa, and Frederick the second. The last of these was solemnly crowned and peaceably possessed King of Jerusalem. Secondly, Germanie sent more Princes to this warre then all Europe besides. It would be an infinite task to reckon them all; it being true of the Germane Nobilitie what Logicians say of a Line, that it is divisibilis in semper divisibilia. Here honours equally descend to sonnes and daughters; whereby they have Counts without counting in the whole Empire: There were seventeen Princes of Henault, and seven and twentie Earls of Mansfield all living together: So that one of their own countreymen saith, That the Dutch esteem none to be men but onelyonly such as are Noble-men. We will not take notice of Germanie as it is minced into pettie Principalities, but as cut into principall Provinces. We find these regnant Princes (for as for their younger brethren, herein they are not accounted) to have been personally present in the Holy warre:
Prince Palatine of Rhene,
Henry
1197
Duke (or as others, King) of Bohemia,
Jaboslaus, or Ladislaus
1147
Duke of Saxonie,
Henry the younger
1197
Marquisse of Brandenburg,
Otho
1197
Archbishops of Mentz,
1 Conrade
2 Siphred
1197
Archbish. of Triers,
Theodoricus
1216
Archbish. of Colen,
Theodoricus
1216
Dukes of Austria,
1 Leopoldus the second
1190
2 Frederick
1197
3 Leopoldus the third, surnamed the Glorious
1216
Dukes of Bavaria,
1 Guelpho
1101
2 Henry
1147
3 Lewis
1216
Landt-graves of Thuringia,
1 Herman
1197
2 Lewis
1227
Marquesse of Moravia,
Conrade
1197
Duke of Mechlenburg,
Henry
1277
Earls of Flandres,
1 Theodoricus
1147
2 Philippus
1190
3 Baldwine
1200
4 William Dampier
1250
5 Guido
1270
Dukes of Brabant,
1 Godfrey
1195
2 Henry
1227
Earl of Holland,
William
1216
All these (I say not, these were all) went themselves, & led forth other companies suitable to their greatnesse. The Reader, as he lighteth on more, at his leisure may strike them into this catalogue. Thirdly, Germanie maintained the Teutonick Order, wholly consisting of her nation; besides Templars and Hospitallers, whereof she had abundance: of whose loyall and valiant service we have spoken largely before. Lastly, She fought another Holy warre at the same time against the Tartars and other barbarous people, which invaded her on her North-east-part. And though …ome will except, That that warre cannot be intituled Holy, because being on the defensive, it was rather of nature and necessitie then pietie: yet upon examination it will appear, that this service was lesse superstitious, more charitable to Christendome, and more rationall and discreet in it self; it being better husbandrie, to save a whole cloth in Europe, then to winne a ragge in Asia.