Perhaps one of you learned members might direct me somewhere fruitful. I
am interested in a discussion of the original meaning of the term/idea to
take the cross (assumpsit crucem - or any equivalent phrase) with respect
to the crusades.
I am dealing with an early fourteenth century franciscan office for the
feast day of Saint Louis (France, twice crusader) where Louis taking the
cross is identified with his *compassio* for Christ's crucifixion in the
same way that Francis' reception of the stigmata is. And I am wondering
to what extent, if any, this sort of association (earthly, physical
manifestation of compassion) would be at all applicable earlier. Does
anybody know whether the term "to take the cross" was used as early as
1095, or earlier for any holy war, and what *specifically* did it refer
to. My Louis-antiphons seem particularly 13th-century and particulary
franciscan to me. (By the way, the entire office is clearly based on that
of Saint Francis, and the "taking of the cross" antiphon is equivalent to
the "stigmata" antiphon for Francis, and boh begin with the same words "O
martyr desiderio" -- just in case you thought the comparison was too
facile)
Any thoughts?
thanks- cecilia
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