and the Pope crossed the Alps to inspire the fierce and powerful
nobility and chivalrous population of Gaul. His boldness in entering
the territory, and placing himself in the power of his foe, King
Philip of France, is not the least surprising feature of his mission.
Some have imagined that cool policy alone actuated him, while others
assert, that it was mere zeal, as warm and as blind as that of Peter
the Hermit. The latter opinion seems to be the true one. Society did
not calculate the consequences of what it was doing. Every man seemed
to act from impulse only; and the Pope, in throwing himself into the
heart of France, acted as much from impulse as the thousands who
responded to his call. A council was eventually summoned to meet him
at Clermont, in Auvergne, to consider the state of the church, reform
abuses, and, above all, make preparations for the war. It was in the
midst of an extremely cold winter, and the ground was covered with
snow. During seven days the council sat with closed doors, while
immense crowds from all parts of France flocked into the town, in
expectation that the Pope himself would address the people. All the
towns and villages for miles around were filled with the multitude;
even the fields were encumbered with people, who, unable to procure
lodging, pitched their tents under the trees and by the way-side. All
the neighbourhood presented the appearance of a vast camp.

During the seven days' deliberation, a sentence of excommunication
was passed upon King Philip for adultery with Bertrade de Montfort,
Countess of Anjou, and for disobedience to the supreme authority of
the apostolic see. This bold step impressed the people with reverence
for so stern a church, which in the discharge of its duty showed
itself no respecter of persons. Their love and their fear were alike
increased, and they were prepared to listen with more intense devotion
to the preaching of so righteous and inflexible a pastor. The great