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It has been preserved more on account of its traditionary interest than for its intrinsic value. Tradition tells us that at the taking of Jerusalem, in the first crusade, this jewel was snatched from the turban of Saladin, the Sultan, in single combat, by our wild crusading ancestor, Ranulph d' Arondelle. It adorned his own hemlet at the siege of St. Jean d' Acre, some years later.
Her hemlet was edged with golden lace, and sparkled all over with rich gem-stones. Her lance, of wondrous length, a heavy weight for three stout men, was brought. Her shield was as broad and as bright as the sun, and three spans thick with steel and gold. While the princess was thus arming herself, the heroes looked on with amazement and fear.
Nevertheless, Gringoire continued, "What must one be then, in order to please you?" "A man." "And I " said he, "what, then, am I?" "A man has a hemlet on his head, a sword in his hand, and golden spurs on his heels." "Good," said Gringoire, "without a horse, no man. Do you love any one?" "As a lover? "Yes."
Then in her fortitude she wears the crested and unstooping hemlet; and lastly, in her temperance, she is the queen of maidenhood stainless as the air of heaven. * There are many other meanings in the epithet; see farther on, §91, pp. 133, 134. I am compelled, for clearness' sake, to mark only one meaning at a time.
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