Louis VII consulted an assembly at Etampes to discuss details of the Crusade

Summary:
As Louis VII always consulted over important issues, he called his nobles to Etampes to discuss matters relevant to he Crusade. On the first day St Bernard reported that he had won Conrad III of Germany for the Crusade; then they all heard answers to the letters Louis had sent. On the second day, he discussed with his barons the route to be followed by the Crusade. They rejected the proposals made by the Normans of Sicily to follow a sea route, and decided to go through the Byzantine Empire. The Sicilian representatives of Roger II were very disappointed. On the third day choices were made about the regency of France in Louis' absence; Suger of St Denis accepted the charge, but William of Nevers did not, as he had vowed to enter a monastery. It was decided to leave in the middle of the year 
Dates:
1147, February 16 
St Bernard, abbot of Clairvaux (Bernard 102)
  • At the meeting called by Louis 101 at Etampes, he reported success in winning Conrad 53 for the Crusade, preached a sermon and took part in the choice of Suger 101 (and William 26103, who declined the honour) as regents of France in Louis' absence (:) Odo of Deuil 14
Conrad III Hohenstaufen, king of Germany (Conrad 53)
  • He was won for participation in the crusade by Eugenios 23 through the eloquence of Bernard 102, took the cross and prepared to set out (:) William of Tyre bk. 16, 18.42-52
Louis VII, king of France (Louis 101)
  • As he always consulted over important issues, he called his nobles to Etampes to discuss matters relevant to the Crusade; on the first day Bernard 102 reported that he had won Conrad 53 for the Crusade; then they heard answers to the letters Louis had sent (February 16: Circumdederunt me) Odo of Deuil 12
  • He specially favoured Suger 101, especially by making him the chief regent of France during his absence on the Crusade (:) Odo of Deuil 2
  • On the second day of the meeting at Etampes, he discussed with his barons the route to be followed by the Crusade; they rejected the proposals made by the Normans of Sicily to follow a sea route, and decided to go through the Byzantine Empire; the Sicilians were very disappointed (:) Odo of Deuil 12-14
  • On the third day at Etampes, choices were made about the regency of France in Louis' absence; Suger 101 accepted the charge, but William 26103 did not, as he had vowed to enter a monastery; it was decided to leave in the middle of the year (:) Odo of Deuil 14
Roger II, king of Sicily (Roger 17001)
  • His representatives were bitterly disappointed by the decision of Louis 101 and his barons to follow the overland route for the Crusade, rather than using Sicilian ships (:) Odo of Deuil 14
Suger, abbot of St Denis (Suger 101)
  • He was greatly favoured by Louis 101, especially by being made chief regent of France during his absence on the Crusade (:) Odo of Deuil 2
  • He was chosen (with William 26103, who declined the charge) as regent of France during the absence of Louis 101 on Crusade; he accepted the responsibility (:) Odo of Deuil 14
William II, count of Nevers (William 26103)
  • He refused to accept his nomination as co-regent of France (with Suger 101) at Louis 101's meeting at Etampes, on the grounds that he was about to retire to a monastery - as he did (:) Odo of Deuil 14