kinky crusaders

I'm reading a book about the Crusades, the attempt by Christians in medieval times, to conquer the holy lands from Muslim rule and rule them as a Christian land.  That in and of itself isn't of great interest to readers here, of that I am sure, but I'm also pretty sure that one excerpt has some relevance here . . .

In the hope of purifying his soul, he made three pilgrimages to Jerusalem, more than 2,000 miles away. On the last of these journeys, now an old man, Fulk was said to have been led naked to the Holy Sepulchre–the site of Jesus’ death and resurrection–with a leash around his neck, being beaten by his servant while he begged Christ for forgiveness.

To my ears, that sounds more like a good kinky roleplay scenario than at actual attempt at atonement, but to each their own I guess!