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 316 Readings in European History 124. Ekke- hard of Aurach on the opening of the First Crusade. Some declare the crusade inexpedient. are not to go without the consent of their bishop ; for this journey would profit them nothing if they went without per- mission. Also, it is not fitting that laymen should enter upon the pilgrimage without the blessing of their priests. " Whoever, therefore, shall determine upon this holy pil- grimage, and shall make his vow to God to that effect, and shall offer himself to him for sacrifice, as a living victim, holy and acceptable to God, shall wear the sign of the cross of the Lord on his forehead or on his breast. When, indeed, he shall return from his journey, having fulfilled his vow, let him place the cross on his back between his shoulders. Thus shall ye, indeed, by this twofold action, fulfill the pre- cept of the Lord, as he commands in the Gospel, ' He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.' " II. THE FIRST CRUSADE Ekkehard, a well-known German historian (see above, p. 266), had completed a history of the world in the year 1 101 when he determined to make a pilgrimage to Jeru- salem. On his return he entirely rewrote the particulars of his history relating to the First Crusade, and finally issued it as a little separate volume called Hierosolymiia. His work is regarded by historical scholars as remark- ably painstaking and temperate. After mentioning the capture of Jerusalem by Godfrey of Bouillon and his fellow-crusaders in 1099, Ekkehard continues : Here I am very anxious to add certain details concerning these military undertakings, which are due to divine rather than human inspiration. This I do for the especial purpose of refuting those imprudent or, better, impudent critics, who, bound by prejudice, take it upon themselves with inso- lent lips to blame this novel enterprise, so necessary to a world that is growing old and nearing its end. They, like