"a hot dry summer in 1212 occurred event, which is known to us as a children's crusade.
chroniclers XIII century. described in detail the feudal quarrels and bloody war, but not awarded close Given this tragic page of the Middle Ages.
Constantine Kupchenko "Children's Crusade":
On the children's campaigns mention (sometimes Briefly, one or two lines, sometimes takes them half a page description) over 50 medieval authors, of whom only 20 are trustworthy because they either own eyes have seen the young crusaders, either, based on eyewitness accounts, were the records in the years closest to the events of 1212. Yes, and information these authors are very sketchy. For example, one of the references to the Children's Crusade in medieval chronicle:
«crusade, called the child, 1212 »
« in a given period was made laughable outing: children and to innocent people hastily and recklessly made a crusade, driven by more curiosity than concern for the salvation of souls. In this expedition departed children of both sexes, boys and girls, and not only small children but also adults, married women and girls - they all came in droves with empty purses, flooding not only throughout Germany, and the country Gallo Burgundy. Neither friends nor relatives no way they could not keep their homes: they are allowed on any tricks to hit the road. It came to that everywhere, in villages and people directly in the field left their guns, throwing on the ground, even those that were in their hands, and joined the procession. Since the meeting with such events, we are often a an extremely gullible crowd, many people, seeing in this a sign of true piety, filled with the Spirit of God, and not a consequence of ill-considered rush, rush provide travelers with everything you need by giving them food and everything they needed. Clergy and same to some other, more-robust proposition and to condemn these things walking, which they found quite absurd, the laity were given a fierce resistance, accusing them of unbelief and claiming that they were opposed to this act more out of envy and avarice, rather than for the sake of truth and justice. Meanwhile, all business started without proper testing with reason and without reliance on the wise discussion never leads to anything good. And when these crazy crowds came to the lands of Italy, they are scattered in different directions and scattered by city and villages, and many of them were enslaved by local residents. Some are said to have reached the sea, and there, relying on cunning sailors, made to take away themselves in other overseas countries. Those who continued to campaign, reaching as far as Rome, have found that to go further, they were impossible because they had no support from the any authority, and they had to finally admit that their spending power has been empty and in vain, though, by the way, no one could remove their vow to commit Crusade campaign - from him were free only to children who have not attained the age of reason, but the old, bent under the weight of years. So, disappointed and embarrassed, embarked they have to go back. Accustomed once stepping out of the province to the province of the crowd, each in his own company and not stopping singing, they were now returning to silence, alone, barefoot and hungry. They were subjected to humiliation, and not one girl was captured rapists and devoid of innocence. "
most a detailed account of the children crusades held in the chronicle of the Cistercian monks Albrika de Truafonten (Abbey Chalons on the Marne), but this is a narrative, as found by scientists, is the least reliable.
any connected lighting the actual history of children's crusade hikes was only the works written 40-50 years after the events described in them - in compilatory essay French Dominican monks Vincent of Beauvais "Historical Mirror", in "Great Chronicle" English monk of St. Albans Matthew Paris, and in some others, where historic facts, however, is almost entirely dissolved in the author's imagination.
Religious authors subsequent centuries are understandably silent on the terrible plot. And the enlightened secular writers, even the most sharp-tongued and brutally, believed, apparently, a reminder of the senseless deaths of nearly one hundred thousand children "A blow below the belt", unworthy reception in a controversy with the clerics. Some eminent historians as seen in the absurd enterprise of children only obvious undeniable stupidity a study which is inexpedient to expend mental potential. And because children's crusade on a solid historical research, devoted to the Crusaders, at best a few pages between the descriptions of the fourth (1202-1204) and fifth (1217-1221) of the Crusades.
only solid study of children's crusade is a book by George Zabriskie Gray, issued in 1870 and reprinted one hundred years later. American Catholic priest Polish origin was immensely surprised almost complete disregard of such a large event, and this prompted Gray to create his first and last books, for writing which had literally bit by bit to collect information about children's crusade, the scattered in the chronicles of the XIII century. Gray sinned lyrical digressions, многословием и излишней для историка сентиментальностью. Но прошло вот уже более ста лет, а книга писателя–дилетанта по-прежнему вне конкуренции. Достойного rival and oprovergatelya it was not. Not for lack of talent, but for lack of zeal. And yet our age threw a terrible reflection on that old tragedy. No new medieval documents on child crusade is not found, but today it seems to us to others, alas, less isklyuchitelnym.3
So what happened a hot dry summer in 1212?
Chapter 1. The young preacher of the crusade of children - Stefan, Klua.
In 1200 (and maybe the next) near Orleans in the village Klua (and maybe elsewhere) was born a peasant boy named Stephen (or maybe Etienne). It's too much like a fairy tale intonation, but it's just listening negligence of the then chronic and inconsistency in their stories about children's crusade. However, fabulous intonation is quite pertinent to the story of the fabulous destiny. That's what tells the chronicle.
Like all peasant children, Stefan from an early age helped his parents - feeding the flock. He differed from his peers only slightly higher piety: Stephan are more likely to have been to church, others wept bitterly filled his feelings during liturgies and processions. From childhood he brandished April "Stroke of black crosses" - a solemn procession on the day of St. Mark, whose members carried a black canvas overgrown with crosses. On this day, offered prayers for the Warriors, polegshih in the holy land, for the tortured in Muslim slavery. And the boy ignited along with the crowd, violently klyavshey infidels.
not just cross spin does not allow the eyes Stefan distracted from the herd. But mentally it was kept at sea, in the holy land.
One warm day in May 1212 he met with the monk-pilgrims, coming from Palestine and asked for alms.
GIVEN Monk took a piece of bread and began to talk about the wonders of the Overseas and exploits. Stephen listened in fascination. Suddenly, the monk broke the story, then suddenly that he was Jesus Christ.
All the rest was like a dream (or dream Boy was this meeting). Monk-Christ told the boy to become the head of unprecedented crusade - children, for "from the mouths of babes comes the power of the enemy." No need no swords, no armor - to conquer the Muslims, will be enough sinless children and God's Word in their mouths. Then Stephen took speechless scroll from the hands of a monk - a letter to the king of France. Whereupon the monk quickly went away (vanished into thin air?).
Stephen could no longer remain a shepherd. God encouraged him to exploit. Out of breath, the boy rushed home to dozens of times recounted what had happened to him parents and neighbors, who vainly scrutinized (For they were illiterate) in the words of a mysterious scroll. No ridicule, no cuffs did not dampen zeal Stephen. The next day he gathered the knapsack, he took his staff and went Saint-Denis - the Abbey of St. Denis, patron of France. The boy holds reasoned that gather volunteers for a children's march should be in place the largest confluence of the pilgrims.
And then - the early morning. Frail boy with a knapsack and stick on a deserted road. "Snowball" rolled. The boy was still possible to stop hold, tie and throw "cool" in the basement. But nobody foresaw the tragic future.
One of the chroniclers of evidence "in good conscience and in truth" that Stephen was "early ripe breeding a scoundrel, and all vices." But these lines were written thirty years after the sad ending mad venture, when retrospectively looked for a scapegoat. Because woman have a bad reputation in the Stephen Klua, an imaginary Christ would not choose him as the saint. It is hardly necessary to call Stephen and the holy fool, as do Soviet researchers. He could just be exalted trusting boy, sharpness and voluble.
Along the way, Stephen stayed in the towns and villages where their speeches collected hundreds of people. From multiple repetitions he stopped timid and flounder. In Saint-Denis has come already experienced a small speaker. Abbey, located nine kilometers from Paris, attracted thousands of pilgrims crowd. Stefan There was excellent: the sanctity of places are waiting for a miracle - and here it is: a child-Chrysostom. Pastushonok glibly recounted all that he had heard from the pilgrims deftly kicked away a tear at the crowds that came and something in order to melt and cry! "Save me, O Lord, strazhduyuschih in captivity!" Stephen pointed to the relics of Saint Denis, stored among the gold and precious stones, revered by crowds of Christians. And then asked: Is not the fate of the tomb of the Lord, everyday pollute wrong? And snatched from his bosom roll, and the crowd roared when the young man with burning eyes, brandished before them immutable dictates of Christ, turned to the king. Stephen recalled many wonders and signs, handed him the Lord. For example, before the appearance of a monk-Christ's flock had wandered into the wheat. Stefan ran a twig the cows - and they suddenly fell to her knees! "Do not you and the heathen shall fall before us!"
Stephen preached to the adults. But in the crowd were hundreds of children who then often taken with a senior, heading to holy sites.
A week later, a wonderful young man came into vogue, stood in sharp competition with older talker and foolish. In addition, Stephen healed the lame and blind, was also other signs of sanctity.
Hot-faith listened to the new miracle worker children. He appealed to their secret dream: to feats of arms, travel, the glory, the ministry of the Lord, the freedom from parental care. And as flattered ambition of teenagers! After God chose my weapon is not sinful and greedy adults, their - the children!
Pilgrims disagreed on cities and villages of France. Adults soon forgotten Stefan. But the children excitedly talked about the same age everywhere - miracle worker and he, striking the imagination of neighborhood children and giving each other an awful oath help Stefan. And now the game of knights and squires are abandoned, the French kids have started playing a dangerous game in the Militia of Christ. Children Brittany, Normandy and Aquitaine, Auvergne and Gascony, while the adults all these areas, quarreled and fought with each other, began to unite around the idea above and cleaner was not in the XIII century.
Chronicles hold back, whether for Stephen Pope a happy discovery, or someone from the prelates, and perhaps the pontiff himself planned the phenomenon of boy-saint. Belonged Do cassock, flashed a vision of Stephen, anyone not authorized monk fanatic or disguise the messenger of Innocent III - no longer doznatsya. And no matter where the idea of children's crusader movement - in the depths of the papal curia, or childish minds. Dad grabbed her iron grip.
Now All bodes well for a children's march: the fertility of frogs, clashes dog packs, even starting the drought. That here and there appeared "Prophets" of twelve, ten or even eight years old. All of them confirmed that sent Stephen, although many of them in the eye did not see him. All these prophets are also cured possessed and worked other miracles ...
kids formed squads and marched through the neighborhood, everywhere in recruiting new supporters. At the head of each procession, singing hymns and psalms, was a prophet, for him, bearing oriflamme - a copy of Banner of St. Dionysius. Children holding crosses and candles, waved smoking censer.
And what it was a tempting sight for the children of the nobility, who watched the solemn progress of peers from their castles and houses! But almost every one of them in Palestine, fought his grandfather, father or elder brother. Some of them died. And now - an opportunity to avenge the wrong, acquire fame, to continue case of the older generation. And the children of noble families enthusiastically incorporated into a new game, flocked to the banners with images of Christ and the Virgin. Sometimes they became the leader, sometimes were forced to obey hudorodnomu peer-prophet.
involved in movement and a lot of girls who also dreamed of the holy land, deeds, and freedom from parental authority. The leaders are not persecuted, "the girls" - wanted to raise an army bigger. Many of the girls for the sake of security and for ease of movement dressed as boys.
Once Stephen (not yet expired May!) Has announced a gathering place Vendôme, there began to descend hundreds of thousands of teenagers. With them were a few adults: the monks and priests, reaching, in the words of Rev. Gray, "had a good plunder in plenty or size reduction, urban and the rural poor, joined the children "not to Jesus, but for the sake of bread stings, but most of all - the thieves, tricksters, different crime mob, who had hoped profit at the expense of the noble children, well-equipped for the journey. Many adults are sincerely believed in the success of the march without arms, and hoped that they will get rich extraction. Were with children and elders, sunken into the second childhood. Hundreds of corrupt women hovered around the scions of noble families. So that the troops were prepared to marvel mottled. In previous Crusades involved children, the elderly, the hordes of Magdalene, and all sorts of scum. But before they were only makeweight, and the core of Christ's army were skillful in military business barons and knights. Now, instead of broad-shouldered men in armor and chain mail kernel army were unarmed children.
But where authorities looked and, most importantly, parents?
Everyone expected that the children "gone mad" and settle down.
King Philip II Augustus, a tireless collector of French lands, insidious and far-sighted policies, initially endorsed the initiative of children. Philip wanted to have a dad at his side in the war with the English king, and was not averse to please Innokentiju III and organize crusade, but only power it on was missing. Then suddenly - this idea of children, noise and enthusiasm. Of course, all of which should ignite the hearts of the barons and knights righteous anger against the infidels!
However, adults do not lose your head. A children's "fuss" was threatened with calm state. Guys throw home run in the Vendee, and in fact are going to march to the sea! But on the other hand, the Pope remained silent, legates are agitating for a campaign ... Wary Philip II was afraid to anger Pontiff, but still appealed to scientists to the newly created University of Paris. They replied firmly: should immediately stop children! If you need - By force, because their campaign is inspired by Satan! The responsibility for stopping the march was withdrawn from him, and the king issued an edict, commanding the children immediately throw from the head of nonsense and go home.
royal edict, however, did not impress the children. U boyish heart was stronger than the lord king. Things have gone too far - shouting it can not be stopped. Only cowards vernulisdomoy. Peers and barons did not dare to use violence: the common people sympathized this venture and the children would have risen to their defense. No riots have not done. After all, people have just taught that God's will enable the children without arms and bloodshed to convert Muslims to Christians and thus free from the hands of the infidels, "the Holy Sepulchre."
Besides Dad said loudly: "These kids are a reproach to us, adults: while we sleep, they are happy to stand for the Holy Land. "Innocent III was still hoping to help children awaken the enthusiasm of adults. from distant Rome He could not see the frenzied childish people, and probably did not realize that had already lost control of the situation and can not stop the kids hike. Swept children's mass psychosis, cleverly heated churchmen, now it was impossible to keep.
why Philip II "washed his hands" and did not insist on the fulfillment of his edict.
There was a groan unfortunate parents. Funny children's solemn procession around the neighborhood, so moved by the adults, have turned to indiscriminate flight adolescents from families. Rare family in its own fanaticism blessed children in the disastrous campaign. Most of the fathers of their offspring were flogged, locked in the closet, but the kids gnaw through the ropes, undermined the walls, broke the locks and - fled. And those who could not escape, fought hysterically, refusing to eat, stunted, ill. Willy-nilly, the parents gave up.
children wear some kind of uniform: gray shirt over a simple short pants and long takes. But many kids and it could not afford: go into what were (often barefoot and bareheaded, although the sun in the summer under a cloud almost did not go). On the chest of the participants campaign was a cross-stitched fabric of red, green or black (of course, these colors vied with each other). Each unit had its own commander, flag and other symbols, which the kids were very proud. When the teams with the singing, the banners, crosses boldly and triumphantly passed through the towns and villages, heading in the Vendee, only locks and solid oak doors to keep a son or daughter at home. Like the plague walked across the country, killing tens of thousands of children.
Enthusiastic rapidly welcomed the crowd of onlookers squads of kids, more than warmed her enthusiasm and ambition.
Finally some priests realized the danger of this idea. They have to stop teams, wherever they could - to persuade children to go home, assured that the thought of the children's campaign - it is the machinations of the devil. But guys were adamant, the more so in all major cities they were greeted and blessed the pope's emissaries. Reasonable priests immediately announced apostates. Superstition of the crowd, the enthusiasm of children and the machinations of the papal curia common sense will prevail. And many of these priests, "apostates" knowingly went with were doomed to inevitable death of children, seven centuries later as a teacher Janusz Korczak went with his pupils in the gas camera Nazi concentration camp Treblinka.
Chapter 2. The Cross of the German children.
news of the boy-prophet Stephen disperse across the country at a rate of foot pilgrims. Those who went to worship at Saint-Denis, brought the news to Burgundy and Champagne, from there it reached the banks of the Rhine. In Germany, not long announce its "holy child". There, the papal legate zealously took up the processing of public opinion in favor of the organization of children's crusade.
Boy named Nicholas (we know only the Latin version of his name). He was born in a village near Cologne. He was twelve years old, or even ten. At first, he was merely a pawn in the hands of adults. Father Nicholas vigorously "push through" a prodigy in the prophets. It is unknown whether the boy's father is rich, but they surely directed low motives. Monk-chronicler, witness the process of "doing" minor prophet calls the father of Nicholas' proydoshlivym fool. " How many He earned a son, unknown to us, but after several months had to pay for son's business life.
Cologne - the religious center of the German Länder, which receives Thousands of pilgrims are often with their children - was the best place for the deployment of campaigning. In one of the churches in the city were kept jealously cherished relics of the Three Kings East (the Magi who brought gifts to Christ Child) - hero of the popular legends of the church. Note detail, fatal role of which become clear later: the relics were seized by Frederick I Barbarossa during the robbery of Milan. And it is here in Cologne, at the instigation of his father, Nicholas proclaimed himself the chosen one God.
Further events have already tested the script. Nicolas - de had a vision of the cross in the clouds, and the voice of the Almighty told him to collect children hiking; crowd vigorously welcomed newfound boy-prophet, immediately followed by healing of the possessed, and other miracles, rumors have spread with incredible speed. Nicholas orated on the steps of churches, on the rocks and barrels in the middle of the area, whenever a pathetic parts of his speech, pointing the Cathedral of the precious shrine to which pilgrims were demolished their donations, he asked rhetorically: "And so if honor is surrounded by the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem? Are we insensitive francs? Do them alone will get the glory of the conquest of the holy land? "
Then everything went according to well-known scheme: adult pilgrims carried the news of the minor prophet, the children were whispering and assembled into teams, marching at the outskirts of various cities and villages left completely - In Cologne. But were the developments in Germany and its peculiarities. Frederick II, himself still a youth, who had just conquered the throne from his uncle Otto IV, was at that time favorite of the pope, and therefore could afford to argue with the Pope. He strongly rebuked venture children: a country already shaken by turmoil. Therefore, children gathered only from the nearest edges of the Rhine to Cologne. Movement snatched from their families is not one or two guys, both in France and almost all, including even six-years old and semiletok. It is this malyshnya on the second day of the campaign will ask a senior at Zakorko, and the third to fourth week will be sick, dying, at best, remain in the roadside villages (out of ignorance of the road back - ever). The second feature of the German version: among the motifs of child traverse the first place is occupied by a striving for the liberation of the "holy land", and revenge. Valiant Germans died in the Crusades is very much - In families of all ranks and able to remember the bitter loss. That is why the troops consisted almost entirely of boys (although some of them were dressed girls), and the preaching of Nicholas and other leaders of local groups more than half consisted of calling for revenge. But revenge pleasant in all respects: after a campaign by the "agreement" with God, to be bloodless. Adults Germans be touched child polyphonic singing: "Let's go to sea as on dry land. Let us incorrect word of God, so will the holy law of Christ! "
Detachments children quickly gathered in Cologne. hike should be started as soon as possible: the emperor against, barons against the parents break the sticks on the back of sons! That and look, a tempting idea goes wrong!
Living Cologne is the miracles of patience and hospitality (Virgo nowhere) and given shelter and food for thousands of children. Most of the boys slept in the fields around the city, groaning from the influx of criminal rabble, who counted to profit by joining the children's march.
And then came the day a solemn speech in Cologne. End of June. Under the banner of Nicholas - not less than twenty thousands of children (according to some chronicles, twice as much). This is mainly boys twelve years and older. No matter how opposed the German barons, but the offspring of noble families in the units of Nicholas was higher than that of Stephen. After all, the barons in the fragmented Germany was much more than in France, and entail [primogeniture (from Lat. major - Senior) - a form of inheritance of property (especially land), in which she goes all the way to the eldest of the heirs. Aimed at preservation of large land holdings.] Did not abandon hopes for the future of their younger sons: for the latter any Crusade campaign - a hope for better fortune. Moreover, in the heart of every noble boy, brought up on the ideals of knightly virtues, blazing vengeance for the murdered Saracens grandfather, father or brother.
Kelntsy poured into the city walls. Thousands of children lined up wearing the same columns in the field. Sway over the gray sea деревянные кресты, знамена, вымпелы. Сотни взрослых – кто в сутанах, кто в лохмотьях – кажутся пленниками детского воинства. Николас, командиры отрядов, часть детей из знатных родов поедут в повозках, окруженных оруженосцами. Но многие малолетние аристократы с котомками и посохами стоят бок о бок с последними из his slaves.
Otrydali otproschalis mother and children from remote towns and villages. Turn came to say goodbye and mourn Cologne mothers - their children are almost half of the participants of the tour.
But sounded pipes. Children delayed hymn to the glory of Christ's own compositions, alas, not saved for us history. Story moved, trembling - and moved forward under the enthusiastic crowd clique, wailing mothers and murmurings of sane people.
hour passes - and a children's army behind the hills. Only tysyachegolosoe singing yet heard from afar. Kelntsy disagree - the proud: they are now outfitted their children in path, and the Franks still digging! ..
not far from Cologne, the host of Nicholas broke into two huge columns. One headed by Nicholas, another - a boy whose behalf of the Chronicle is not preserved. A column by Nicholas moved to the south a short way: by Lorraine along the Rhine, west of Swabia, and through the French Burgundy. The second column reached the Mediterranean by a long route: through Franconia and Swabia. One and the other way stopped the Alps into Italy. It would be wiser to go to the plain in Marseille, but there intended to send French children, and Italy seemed to be closer to Palestine than the Burgundian Marseille.
detachments spread out to many miles. Both routes ran through the half-savage edge. The local folk are scarce, even in those days, clung to a few strongholds. Wild animals out on the road from the forest. Thicket infested with robbers. Dozens of children were drowned while crossing rivers. In such circumstances, the whole group fled back home. But the series Junior army "immediately made up for the guys from the roadside villages.
glory ahead of march participants. But not all the cities they were fed and allowed to night even if the streets. Sometimes drove away, we have protecting their children from the "contagion". Boys happened to be without charity and a day or two. Eatables of knapsacks weak stomachs quickly roamed into those older and stronger. Larceny in the units flourished. Sprightly woman lured money from suckers rich and noble families, tricksters took away the children last penny, enticing halts play at dice. Discipline in the units every day fell.
in the path sent early in the morning. In very hot weather made a halt in the shade of trees. As they walked - sang hymns nemudryaschie like that, miraculously preserved: "Beautiful fields, even more beautiful forest dressed in summer attire. But Christ is fairer, Jesus is cleaner and stuck to the heart sing his praises. "On halts talked and listened to the complete Adventures of and miracles stories about battles and campaigns, the knights and pilgrims. Certainly were among the guys joker and rascals, who rushed to each other and shake a leg, while other toppled to the ground after many kilometers hike. Surely the children fell in love, quarrel, put up and fought for the leadership ... Details of everyday Marchers did not have survived - and they are very necessary. After all, even the psychology of medieval adults, we understand with great difficulty, and only those days the children - for us to complete a puzzle.
At a camp in the foothills of the Alps near Lake Leman, Nicholas, was headed "host" is almost twice smaller than the original. Lofty mountains just for a minute their white caps of snow charmed children, we never saw anything like it in beauty. Then hearts bound horror: after these white caps they had to climb!
Living in the foothills of the children greeted warily and sternly. And they had no idea to feed the children. Welcome, though not killed. Grub in a knapsack melted. But this is not all: in the mountain valleys of German children - many for the first and last time - met ... Ever Saracens, who wanted to be baptized in the Holy Land! Vicissitudes era abandoned here squads Arab robbers: they settled in these places, not wanting or unable to return to their homeland. The guys snuck through the valley of silent, without the songs, dropping crosses. There would have to turn them back. Alas, the clever conclusions made just worm their way into children rabble. These scumbags have robbed the children and fled, For further promised only death or slavery by Muslims. Saracens had hacked a dozen or two stragglers from the squad guys. But such losses children have become accustomed: every day they were buried or thrown without burying dozens of their comrades. Malnutrition, fatigue, stress and disease have done the trick.
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