How we cite our quotes: Chapter, Paragraph
Quote #1
The Holy Father in Rome had decreed that all who fought to take Jerusalem from the heathen would obtain indulgences—forgiveness of sins. The foulest criminal could absolve himself of wrongdoing before Heaven by joining the army of God. (2.18)
The Holy Father tells Christians that if they join in the Crusades, God will forgive all of their sins—even the worst ones. This is a huge incentive for Middle Ages folk who constantly sense that they are being watched and judged by Heaven. And it shows that they value their soul more than their body if they're willing to fight a war for deliverance.
Quote #2
But Otto had explained that the miller paid little heed to the coin that kissed his palm. So the Devil instructs us, his eager pupils. He teases us with evil hope. (2.32)
Edmund points out that temptation is sometimes very sweet; Otto just couldn't resist taking more from the king than he was supposed to. He also made it seem to Edmund like it wasn't a big deal. Which it wasn't… until he was caught.
Quote #3
The sheriff rolled the parchment in his hand into a wand. "Mercy is exchanged," he said, "for acts of penance." What penance could I give, I wondered, that would earn even a single hour of mercy? (3.12)
The sheriff judges Edmund. Or, we should say, he judges Otto. But back then, the master's sin was also the sin of the servant. When he decides to spare Edmund's life, the sheriff tells him that his mercy will have to be repaid with penance, which we can think of as a kind of spiritual community service.