Emperor Heraclius, the seventh-century Byzantine emperor who defeated the Persians at the Battle of Nineveh, insisted on carrying a relic of the True Cross of Christ into Jerusalem. At first, when he was on horseback, the burden was too heavy, but after he dismounted and removed his crown, the Cross became miraculously light, and the barred city gate opened of its own accord. The Emperor Heraclius is also known as "The First Crusader".
Artwork by M. Lambertini.