[18] It was to join the standard of this renowned knight that St Francis, fired by stories of his prowess, set forth in 1204 and saw at Spoleto that vision which determined him to return to Assisi and devote himself to the service of another Lord.
[19] See “The Fall of Constantinople,” by Edwin Pears, p. 263. This allegation is, however, much canvassed by authorities.
[20] The alleged blindness of Dandolo is one of the enigmas of history. The chroniclers are hopelessly at variance. Villehardouin, his constant associate, says he ne voit goutte (couldn’t see a bit). Others ignore the blindness, and it is difficult to explain his career on that theory.
[21] Probably from his attempt to convert the Sultan in 1219-1220. See Sabatier’s “Vie de St François, p. 271.” The story of the birds is obviously an echo of the Fioretti.
[22] Experts in heresy.
[23] According to the archives of the Holy Office only six cases are found of the death penalty, drowning or strangling (never burning), being inflicted for heresy in Venice.
[24] Hollow balls of wax were first used, afterwards the thirty were made of gold and the others of silver.
[25] “Christ conquereth; Christ reigneth; Christ ruleth. Salvation, honour, long life and victory to our lord, Lorenzo Tiepolo, by the grace of God renowned Doge of Venice, Dalmatia and Croatia, Dominator of one-fourth and a half of the Empire of Romania. O St Mark, lend him thine aid!”
[26] Purgatorio, iii. 115.
[27] The details of the victory are inscribed in St Matthew’s, the private church of the Doria family, at Genoa. Hapless Dandolo, rather than figure in a Genoese triumph, dashed out his brains against the mast of the ship that bore him away.