Godfrey of Bouillon might well choose the crown of thorns for his emblem.

Grand Master, I will confess to you I have caught some attachment to the Eastern form of government--a pure and simple monarchy should consist but of king and subjects.

Such is the simple and primitive structure--a shepherd and his flock.

All this internal chain of feudal dependance is artificial and sophisticated; and I would rather hold the baton of my poor marquisate with a firm gripe, and wield it after my pleasure, than the sceptre of a monarch, to be in effect restrained and curbed by the will of as many proud feudal barons as hold land under the Assizes of Jerusalem.

[The Assises de Jerusalem were the digest of feudal law, composed by Godfrey of Boulogne, for the government of the Latin kingdom of Palestine, when reconquered from the Saracens.