ABSTRACT
Although the crusading penances imposed on Henry II at Avranches in May 1172 for Becket’s murder have often been discussed, the accepted interpretation of the king’s obligations may on some points be questioned. Henry’s crusading responsibilities were explained in Ne in dubium, which was addressed to the English king by the cardinal legates Albert of S. Lorenzo in Lucina (later Pope Gregory VIII) and Theodwin of S. Vitale at this time:
Ab instanti siquidem festo Pentecostes usque ad annum tantam pecuniam dabitis, unde ad arbitrium fratrum Templi ducenti milites ualeant ad defensionem terre Ierosolimitane spatio unius anni teneri. Vos autem a sequenti Natiuitate Domini usque ad triennium, crucem accipietis, proxima tunc estate illuc in propria persona, ducente Domino, profecturi, nisi remanseritis per dominum papam, uel catholicos successores eius. Sane si contra Sarracenos in Hispaniam pro urgenti necessitate profecti fueritis, quantum temporis fuerit ex quo arripueritis iter, tantundem supra dictum spacium Ierosolimitane profectionis poteritis prolongare. 1
