236 THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

of the same name, with a host of others, accepted the Cross. Tlieobald, Earl of Champagne, was selected, from his rank and ability, to be the leader of the expedition. In his train were Geoffrey of Yillehardouin, with many others of high rank. Under Theobald, the leaders were Baldwin of Flanders, whose wife was the sister of Theobald, Baldwin's brother Henry, Louis Earl of Blois, Simon de Montfort, and Count Hughes de St. Paul. It may be mentioned here that the intention of the Cru- saders, and probably also of Innocent, was that Eichard of England should be the leader of the expedition. His death, however, in April, 1199, put an end to this design. In one respect, however, his death contributed an element of success. Many of the French barons had joined him against Philip of France, and there can hardly be a doubt that but for his untimely death he would have defeated Phihp. The hostility between the two sovereigns had been bitter. " The devil is loose ; take care of yourself," had been Philip's warning to John when Pichard had been released. The French barons who had fought on the side of Eichard were glad, on his death, to escape the vengeance of Philip by joining the crusade. Among those who had been detached from the side of Philip by Eichard, and had joined the revolt of the Bretons against him, was Theobald of Champagne himself, the appointed leader of the crusade. Baldwin of Flanders had in like man- ner declared for Eichard, and probably joined the crusade the more readily on account of his death. At the opening of the year 1200 a considerable number of nobles and others had undertaken to join the crusade. France and Flanders contributed the largest share, but Ger- many also furnished a considerable contingent. During the year many meetings or parliaments of the leaders of the expedition had been held, but they had been adjourned be- cause the number of Crusaders was not judged to be suf- ficiently large to justify the leaders in making arrangements for the transport of the army beyond sea. Towards the end of the year, however, a parliament was held at Soissons, in