• In winter of 1211-1212, clerics conducted Crusading recruiting drives
• At feast in May 1212, Stephen announced vision from God with instructions
• Stephen handed letters to advisors of King of France, but he refused to meet
• Told his followers to disperse far and wide across France for recruits
• Arranged to meet at Vendome, then set off on Crusade to Holy Land
• After being blessed by local clergy, children set off on their crusade
• Stephen advised that Mediterranean Sea would part, which it did not
• Two local merchants in Marseilles offered to supply seven ships for free
  • They had been betrayed, merchants arranged to sell them into slavery
  • Young priest was shipped to Alexandria along with some other children
  • Purchased by the governor of Egypt’s son, who allowed their freedom