patrolled cautiously finally renowned
endurance Antioch endeared approached
Tancred was known among his followers for his unselfishness. He seemed
never to become weary. If a comrade complained of a duty, he himself would
perform it. He patrolled walls at night, fought by day, and by his own
endurance of labor and hard fare sought to set an example for his men.
One night, when he was standing guard with only his squire as companion,
he was attacked by three armed Saracens on horseback. They came upon him
quickly, thinking, of course, that they could easily overcome him. They
did not know that the blade of this renowned warrior could cleave their
heavy armor as if it were cloth.
On came the first horseman and down came Tancred’s sword. The Saracen
fell. The next, who had seen the first one fall, waited for the third.
Very cautiously they approached side by side, but they soon fared the
same as their companion.
It was Tancred who took possession of Bethlehem. He was made ruler over
that part of the Holy Land, but hearing that Antioch was threatened by the
Saracens, he went to its relief. For three years he held it against the
unbelievers.
Tancred’s cousin, Bohemond, who was the rightful ruler of Antioch, was
held as prisoner by the Saracen commander; but finally Tancred succeeded
in setting his cousin free. He at once gave up to his cousin the entire
rule, although he had so endeared himself to the people that they besought
him to remain.
A battle wound was the cause of Tancred’s death. He met his fate bravely,
and died with the purpose of saving the Holy Land still uppermost in his
heart.
* * * * *
Between the years 1095 and 1270 there were eight crusades, all undertaken
for the purpose of delivering the Holy Land from the Saracens. While they
failed to accomplish that object, they were still of great benefit to the
Church and civilization. They made the people better acquainted with the
geography and history of other lands, and led to an increase of trade and
industry throughout the known world.