A popular history of France : from the earliest times . tBourges; the second in 1146, at Vezelai, in Nivernais; andthe third in 1147, at Etampes; all three being called to in-vestigate the expediency of a new crusade, and of the kingsparticipation in the enterprise. Not only was the questionseriously discussed, but extremely diverse opinions were ex-pressed, both amongst the rank and file of these assemblies,and amongst their most illustrious members. There were twomen whose talents and fame made them conspicuous aboveall; Suger, Abbot of St. Denis, the intimate and able adviserof the wise kin
A popular history of France : from the earliest times . tBourges; the second in 1146, at Vezelai, in Nivernais; andthe third in 1147, at Etampes; all three being called to in-vestigate the expediency of a new crusade, and of the kingsparticipation in the enterprise. Not only was the questionseriously discussed, but extremely diverse opinions were ex-pressed, both amongst the rank and file of these assemblies,and amongst their most illustrious members. There were twomen whose talents and fame made them conspicuous aboveall; Suger, Abbot of St. Denis, the intimate and able adviserof the wise king, Louis the Fat, and St. Bernard, Abbot ofClairvaux, the most eloquent, most influential, and most piouslydisinterested amongst the Christians of his age. Though bothwere ecclesiastics, these two great men were, touching thesecond crusade, of opposite opinions. Let none suppose,says Sugers biographer and confidant, William, monk of , that it was at his instance or by his counsel that theking undertook the voyage to the Holy Land. Although the. Colin -culpsii. PREACHING THE SECOND CRUSADE. Chap. XVII.] DECLINE AND END OF THE CRUSADES. 13 success of it was other than had been expected, this princewas influenced only by pious wishes and zeal for the serviceof God. As for Suger, ever far-seeing and only too well ableto read the future, not only did he not suggest to the monarchany such design, but he disapproved of it so soon as it wasmentioned to him. The truth of it is, that, after having vainlystriven to nip it in the bud, and being unable to put a checkupon the kings zeal, he thought it wise, either for fear ofwounding the kings piety, or of uselessly incurring the wrathof the partisans of the enterprise, to yield to the times. Asfor St. Bernard, at the first of the three assemblies, viz,, atBourges, whether it were that his mind was not yet made upor that he desired to cover himself with greater glory, headvised the king to undertake nothing without having pre-viously
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