Ecclesiastical or Lay Control at the Founding of the Kingdom of Jerusalem

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III THE C0NFLICT It was inevitable that the two points of view described in the foregoing chapters should come into conflict on those occasions when important powers were being conferred upon individuals or when the foundations of the new state were being shaped. Though this conflict came to the surface but rarely, one feels it to be impending throughout the whole period from the time when the crusading host first approached Jerusalem until the coronation of King Baldwin in the end of ll00. The first important problem which confronted the crusaders at the founding of the new state was that of choosing a ruler. Raymond of Agiles states that before the capture of Jerusalem--perhaps in the beginning of July, l l099--a council was held at which, among other things, the question was raised of electing one of the chiefs as king (in regem) to have the custody of the city, if it should be captured. The bishops and clergy replied, however, that no one ought to be elected to be king where God had suffered and been crowned. I See HC, No. 396, P.O.L., VII, 47l. There ought merely to be an advocate who should guard the city, and provide for its administration. For this and many reasons, the election was postponed until the seventh l day after the capture of the city. At that later date-2 July 22, l099--the leaders began again solemnly to proceed with the election of a king. Again certain of the clergy (de clero quidam) came forward, pleading the superiority of things eternal over things temporal and holding that the election would be invalid unless a spiritual vicar were elected first. The princes were incensed at this interference, and proceeded to elect Godfrey, ig 3 noring the protest of the clergy. Then Raymond points out the great decline in the influence...