The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARwhat her peasants and monks, her goose and hergoat, had failed to accomplish.In the meantime the secular princes of the west,who attended the Council^f Clermont and assumedthe Cross, were busily engaged in preparing for theholy war. A vast army embracing all the chivalryof Europe, consisting of six grand divisions, setforth for Constantinople. Here they united theirforces and then took up their march for the HolyCity. Among those who were destined to distinguishthemselves as Crusaders, should be mentioned,first of all, Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke ofLorraine. His reputation for piety, learning andcourage was equal to that of the best prince ofhis age. In his father's house Peter the Hermithad lived before he became a monk. In early lifeGodfrey took up arms and won high distinction as \-a soldier in many bloody fought battles. With no jhalf-hearted purpose did he become a Crusader.No sacrifices were spared to secure the desired end.He sold or mortgaged all of his castles and estates,and with the money procured by the sale of his vastdomains he raised and equipped a rmagnificent armyof 90,000 men. It was he who led those from Germanyand northern France.Raymond, Count of Toulouse, a second of the"leaders, was a soldier by profession and had foughtagainst the Mohammedans in Spain. He wasknown as one of the most valiant captains of histimes. It was his saying that he had spent hisyouth fighting the followers of the false prophetin Europe, and would spend his old a^e in warringwith them in Asia. Already aged, his white locks'351