Fulcher of Chartres chronicle is his account of Pope Urban II's speech at the Council of Clermont in November 1095 to launch the First Crusade. Within his account of Urban’s speech there was a promise of remission of sins for anyone who participated in the crusade: All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested. O what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer a people which
Gerard (archbishop of York) archdeacon of Rouen. He served in the royal chancery under successive kings of England, William I and William II. Gerard was appointed Lord Chancellor of England in 1085, and was present at William I's deathbed in 1087. He continued as Chancellor to William Rufus until 1092; what precipitated his loss of office is unclear. He retained the king's trust, for Rufus employed him in 1095 along with William Warelwast on a diplomatic mission to Pope Urban II regarding Archbishop Anselm receiving the pallium, the sign of an archbishop's authority. Rufus offered to recognise Urban as pope rather than the Antipope