When considering the hardships and deprivations endured by the armies of Christendom along the many paths to Jerusalem, one can only marvel at how the crusaders were able to lift a lance or sword, let alone fight effectively, upon their arrival in the Holy Land. Small wonder, too, that many among their ranks—most, in fact—felt less than joyful about the prospect of a long march or voyage to the East. Jonathan Riley-Smith, professor of ecclesiastical history at the University of Cambridge, explains:
It is now clear that most crusaders did not particularly look forward to Crusades. They disliked leaving home: a theme in crusade poetry is sadness at the abandonment of loved ones. They dreaded the journey, especially if it was to be by sea. During the long overland marches, far from sources of regular supplies, they were often hungry and always had to forage. There was a heavy death-toll.....
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