3 - The Exile

Summary

The day approached on which the duke and his men intended to set out to go across the sea. A great number of warriors from different places who knew him rallied to him with their followers and begged him in the name of God and his own nobility that he should grant them the favor of letting them come with him, because they knew that he would protect them against any dangers that might face them. They wanted him to accept them into his service and to go with him to Jerusalem, to support him in anything he undertook and never abandon him whatever the dangers. They wished to be his men, devoting their lives and their property to him in any perilous situation, even in the face of death. “That,” they said, “is our one desire above all else.” “I understand,” replied the valiant duke, “and I welcome you, my dear friends, in God's name. You may be assured that I shall never let you down as long as I live. You will be rewarded, and all things shall be shared with you—anything large or small that God grants me shall be yours as well as mine. For as long as I live you shall not regret making cause with, and placing your trust in, me. I will gladly take you on as companions and brothers, showing special favors to none—you shall all be equals on this journey, and you may be assured that I shall do my utmost to protect you day and night.” The knights thanked him, and the duke was delighted that he now had acquired so many fine men for his retinue. His company now contained a good thousand experienced warriors who would now travel abroad with him, and they had all sworn oaths of loyal allegiance to him as their captain and leader.

Duke Ernst was ready to set out on the journey in princely fashion, and once he had taken formal leave and departed, all his relatives and feudal dependents were extremely sad to see him go—all those who held him dear were desperately unhappy, since their noble lord had always cared for and protected them faithfully while he ruled over them.