It is believed that Stephen de Cloyes began preaching at Saint-Denis[?], claiming that he had been visited by Jesus and told to lead the next Crusade. Through a series of supposed portents and miracles he gained a considerable following, possibly as many as 20,000 children joined him. He led his followers southwards towards Marseille, it is said he believed that the sea would part when he would arrive, so that he and his followers could march to Jerusalem, which did not happen. At Marseille two merchants gave passage on seven boats to as many of the children as would fit. The children were taken to Tunisia and sold into slavery.
The tale has been interpreted as a later gloss on the widespread plight of the landless young in France and elsewhere in Europe. Other sources believe the tale is a union of a two smaller movements of children from France and Germany in the early 13th century, neither of which left Europe but both of which resulted in the death of several thousands of children.
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