Eagle Byzantium

After hearing the order, Muzafi'adin immediately raised the red-hand cross-sword flag high above his head so that the entire crowd in front of St. Peter's Church could clearly see it, and walked at the front of the queue. The sword-wielding Wesart Melo and the heavy-armored Birel crept behind him. Thirty Varangian warriors formed four columns, with uniform feathers and shields, stepping on St. Peter's steps. On the street in front of the tomb.

Then, Gawain half-knelt down and stabilized Urban's front feet, "Please the Holy See, please mount this docile mare of mine. She will be absolutely sure to walk on the gravel road." So the Holy See asked the Pope. Then he sat on Sabina's gold-embellished saddle, with the bells jingling on the tassel. Then Gawain led his quicksilver, and Peter pulled his donkey, guarding the Pope's steps on the left and right. The cardinal and the Italian veterans, guided by Francesco, walked at the rear of the grand procession.

The entire team's flags were dancing, their armor was shining, and the reliquary boxes inlaid with gold, diamond and silver were held in the arms of the clergy one by one. On both sides of the street, the people on the church towers knelt down and prostrated in admiration. The bright sunshine, from St. Peter's Basilica, It has shrouded the surrounding Emperor's Temple, along the remains of the Piazza de Mars from the pagan era, and to the top of the oldest Latrano church. The white smoke produced by burning incense lingers among this sacred place and ceremony. superior.

"The Holy See is very satisfied with this Greek mercenary general. He will soon grant him more beneficial rights in Latrano." On the terrace above the arch, Matilda quickly made a judgment , and Placides next to her said with surprise and a little envy, "I seem to have seen a familiar person among the crowd."

"who?"

"I have a young aunt who is distantly related to me. She, her sister, and I all came from the Varyag family in Kiev, but they must have married into the Greek Empire. I heard that this one is called Inglina Her dead husband seems to have remarried this general named Gawain." Placides then held her chin with her fingers in desolation. "What a pity. I wish her happiness beyond our reach."

"Yes, maybe if I were thirty years younger, I would not hesitate to marry this blue-eyed general. But now, in my heart, there is only dedication to the Lord to consider. Arrange the retinue team immediately , I also want to go to Latrano," Matilda then ordered, and then she turned around. Seeing the lifeless young husband Welf standing by with drooped eyebrows, he angrily slapped him gently and said, "Incompetent insect, show some courage. I really doubt that the witch cast a spell on you when you were born." What magic."

In the ancient and magnificent church hall of Laterano, Urban sat on the throne. He coughed a few times, then motioned Gawain and Peter to stand up, "Tell me, tell me, heroes and hermits, because I urgently need to know the specific situation in the distance and the countermeasures you suggest."

In this way, Peter discussed various marching routes incessantly. Urban Odar kept nodding his head, and finally he said to Gawain, "What do your Red Hand Dalian and the city of Bari want to do?"

"Cross the sea as quickly as possible. Go to the cities of Durazzo and Ragusa, then pass through Zatha and Dalmatia. After gathering with the troops of the sworn brother Peter in the imperial capital, we will march along Asia Minor and destroy Konya first. The Kingdom of the Sultan, and then along the lines of Antioch and Jerusalem "The route to Salem. Recover the entire Holy Land." Gawain replied calmly, "My Dalian team will gather 6,000 to 10,000 combat-ready soldiers. The city of Bali is willing to provide free docks and reasonable and suitable facilities for the heroes of the Eastern Expedition." of grain and supplies.”

"This is the best, but my son Gawain. This Holy See has heard that you have had issues with many bishops, including Anselm. That is to say, you expelled Calabria, Lucani Do the Catholic churches in Asia and many other regions behave like this?” At this time, the Holy See’s eyes became stern and aggressive.

"I only expelled the Catholic bishops who were subordinate to the Normans. As for the venerable Bishop Anselm, he had also previously encouraged pilgrims to attack the city of Bari, which was also defended by believers. I had no choice but to do so with swords. For this reason - I believe that the wise Holy See will If a just sentence is reached, Gawain will accept any punishment. In addition, some of the orders are based on the will of Constantinople and are really forced." When answering, Gawain didn't change his face and looked calm. He kicked the pot to Bohemond and Alexios.

These words also speak to the secret thoughts of the pope who belongs to the Cluniac sect. The creed of the Cluniac sect is to strictly rectify the internal atmosphere of the pope, while also striving to fight against the interference and manipulation of religious power by various secular lords.

"Then I will ask you directly, do you hope that our Catholic Church should not restrict your financial and military power in the city of Bari?" Urban II went straight to the point.

"If what the Pope needs now is an elite army to fly the flag and go on an expedition, then I don't think it should be." Gawain was also extremely frank, but the cardinals next to him were stunned.

So at this time, Urban's hand slowly raised up, and all the people present, including Peter and Owen Seth, held their breath nervously. Finally, the hand of the Holy See slowly fell on Gawain's brown hair, and a kind voice sounded, "In this case, I will also grant you the title of 'Priest of St. Nicholas Cathedral'. From now on, the Diocese of Bari will be incorporated into the direct jurisdiction of the Pope. Of course, I will not levy taxes in this city and the parish, because you also enjoy immunity. With the title of 'Priest of the Clergy', you will not be interfered with by the power of any regional bishop in Bari. , you can freely organize the church circuit court, not only have the power to judge small matters, but also the power to judge big matters, and you can freely organize pilgrims and monks to participate in the expedition to the Holy Land. In addition, you undoubtedly have the right to levy taxes, mint coins and military power in this city, as well as the right to appoint and dismiss personnel in the local church. I said this, I don’t know if you understand it? "

Finally, the Pope smiled and added, "Of course, this title does not restrict you from the celibate precepts."

Hearing the last words, a group of jealous cardinals didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. And Gawain clearly felt that Peter beside him was obviously breathing faster and trembling with excitement.

The elder in the Pope’s clergy is the ‘King of the Crown’ in the diocese. His power is sometimes greater than that of a secular monarch, and it is indestructible!

It seems that Urban wants to use Gawain's skills to turn Bari into a strong fortress to resist the German Empire in the north, the Normans in the south, the Byzantine Empire in the east, the Holy Land, and the Pope of Rome. (To be continued ~^~)