... a permanent obligation that could be enforced by legal sanctions. It served to keep the ranks of the crusading armies from dwindling once serious obstacles were encountered. The story of the beginning of the crusade goes like this. Upon the completion of the speech (Urban's), the local bishop immediately knelt before the throne and begged permission to be the first pilgrim. Urban presented him with a red cross to be sewed onto his clothes as a sign. Hundreds followed straight away and so many that the town merchants ran out of red cloth. The next day the council granted privileges and protections to those who would take the cross; papal letters confirmed these. The word soon spread across Europe and many knights took the vow. The crusader was legally protected from foreclosure on debts. Should he die on the pilgrimage, he was assured of complete remission of sins; this includes not having to ...

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