Rashi and the Four Horses

It is told that Godfrey, one of the leaders of the Crusaders, was granted an audience with Rashi and asked whether his mission would succeed.

Rashi answered that he would be victorious at first, but that his forces would in the end be destroyed, and that he would return with only three horses. Godfrey took this for some kind of curse. In his fury he swore that if he returned with even four horses, he would destroy the Jewish community of Troyes.

Godfrey did return with four of his horses remaining, and he guarded them with his life. As he passed through the city wall of Troyes, a stone broke loose from the wall and struck one of the horses dead. Rashi's words had come true.