Following Orders

[Sir William Marcus]

My highest compliments to frere Cliff de Beaumanoir and his master bakers. I am deeply honored.  OK..who wants a piece?

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

New book alert!

http://atemplarsjourney.com/


Being a Knight Templar was no easy task. The training narrated in this excellent novel is shown to be long and wearying. The discipline was strong and, for the most part, unwavering. Food was often less than adequate and nearly always less than tasty. Death could come a thousand ways to a Knight Templar.


http://www.newbernsj.com/articles/page-87945-bodycopyrag-turner.html

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Today in 1190:  Frederick I "Barbarossa" (Red Beard) died while launching out with the largest contingent of Crusading troops (German) seen up to this point in history. His counterparts were Richard & Phillip of the Robin Hood time frame.
After making his peace with the new Pope (he'd been fighting the previous Pope over territorial concerns amongst other topics), Frederick vowed to take up the cross at the Diet of Mainz in 1188. Frederick embarked on the Third Crusade (1189), a massive expedition in conjunction with the French, led by king Philip Augustus, and the English, under Richard the Lionheart. He organized a grand army of 100,000 men (including 20,000 knights) and set out on the overland route to the Holy Land. However, some historians believe that this is an exaggeration and that the true figure might be closer to 15,000 men, including 3,000 knights.

The Crusaders passed through Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria and then entered Byzantine territory, arriving at Constantinople in the autumn of 1189. When they were in Hungary, Barbarossa personally asked the Hungarian Prince Géza, brother of the king Béla III of Hungary, to join the Crusade. The King agreed, and a Hungarian army of 2,000 men led by Géza escorted the German Emperor's forces. The armies comming from Western Europe pushed on through Anatolia (where they were victorious in taking Aksehir and defeating the turks in the Battle of Iconium), and entered Cilician Armenia. The approach of the immense German army greatly concerned Saladin and the other Muslim leaders, who began to rally troops of their own to confront Barbarossa's forces.

However, on 10 June 1190, Emperor Frederick drowned in the Saleph River as his army was approaching Antioch from Armenia; Arab historians report that his army had encamped before the river, and that the Emperor had gone to the river to bathe when he was carried away by the current and drowned in it.

Frederick's death plunged his army into chaos. Leaderless, panicking, and attacked on all sides by Turks, many Germans deserted, were killed, or even committed suicide. Only 5,000 soldiers, a small fraction of the original force, arrived in Acre. Barbarossa's son, Frederick VI of Swabia, carried on with the remnants of the German army, along with the Hungarian army under the command of prince Géza, with the aim of burying the Emperor in Jerusalem, but efforts to conserve his body in vinegar failed. Hence, his flesh was interred in the Church of St Peter in Antioch, his bones in the cathedral of Tyre, and his heart and inner organs in Tarsus.

The unexpected demise of Frederick left the Crusader army under the command of the rivals Philip II of France and Richard I of England ("Lionheart"), who had traveled to Palestine separately by sea, and ultimately led to its dissolution. Richard continued to the East where he fought Saladin, but failed to accomplish the Crusaders' original goal of capturing Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Gamer Alert! :

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/E3-2010-The-First-Templar-Debut-Trailer-For-Xbox-360-And-PC-25244.html

[SirMichael]

Greetings my Brothers!

The time is growing near when the Great lakes Medieval Faire will be opening it's gates for the year. I plan on going for several of the dates and hold me season pass in hand. There are several templer roles on the cast this year. I will try to get photos to post for all as well.

Loard Mangus, art thee still planning on attending the 1st weekend of August?

I hope all of you are well...and your swords stay sharp!

Sir Michael Of Mentor

[Lord Magnus]

Greetings my Brothers!

The time is growing near when the Great lakes Medieval Faire will be opening it's gates for the year. I plan on going for several of the dates and hold me season pass in hand. There are several templer roles on the cast this year. I will try to get photos to post for all as well.

Loard Mangus, art thee still planning on attending the 1st weekend of August?

I hope all of you are well...and your swords stay sharp!

Sir Michael Of Mentor

Yes I am good sir. In fact I was just posting info about the faire to the rest of the group Im in. Looking forward for my second visit!

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Tomorrow in History....or 1 July 1097 (Now it's Today's event)

Battle of Dorylaeum (1097)




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dorylaeum_(1097)



 

[SleepyArcher]

My highest compliments to frere Cliff de Beaumanoir and his master bakers. I am deeply honored.  OK..who wants a piece?

I want that cake!!!!

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

On this date in Crusading History:

July 2, Saladin, who wanted to lure Guy into moving his army away from the springs at Saffuriya, personally led a siege of Raymond's fortress of Tiberias while the main Muslim army remained at Kafr Sabt. The garrison at Tiberias tried to pay Saladin off, but he refused, later stating that "when the people realized they had an opponent who could not be tricked and would not be contented with tribute, they were afraid lest war might eat them up and they asked for quarter...but the servant gave the sword dominion over them." The fortress fell the same day. A tower was mined and, when it fell, Saladin's troops stormed the breach killing the opposing forces and taking prisoners.

Holding out, Raymond's wife Eschiva was besieged in the citadel. As the mining was begun on that structure, news was received by Saladin that Guy was moving the Frank army east. The Crusaders had taken the bait.

Guy's decision to leave the safety of his defenses was the result of a Crusader war council held the night of July 2. Though reports of what happened at this meeting are biased due to personal feuds among the Franks, it seems Raymond argued that a march from Acre to Tiberias was exactly what Saladin wanted while Sephoria was a strong position for the Crusaders to defend. Furthermore, Guy shouldn't worry about Tiberias, which Raymond held personally and was willing to give up for the safety of the kingdom. In response to this argument, and despite their reconciliation (internal court politics remaining strong), Raymond was accused of cowardice by Gerard and Raynald (This brings into account some facts that need to be looked at carefully when building a character study of Ridefort and Reynald. This history of the Hattin event, was written by folks that fell into the political campof the Ibelins and Raymond of Tiberius- they would have every reason to protect their positions and that of their benefactors, and see the reputations of the Templar Master and his associate discredited). The latter influenced Guy to attack immediately.

Guy thus ordered the army to march against Saladin at Tiberias, which is indeed just what Saladin had planned, for he had calculated that he could defeat the crusaders only in a field battle rather than by besieging their fortifications.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

On this date in Crusading History (cont):

The crusaders began their march from Sephoria on July 3. Raymond led the vanguard; Guy the main army; and Balian, Raynald, and the military orders made up the rearguard. The crusaders were almost immediately under harassment from the Muslim skirmishers on horseback.

By noon on that day, the Frankish army had reached a spring at the village of Turan some six miles (10 km) from Sephoria. Here, according to Saladin, "The hawks of the Frankish infantry and the eagle of their cavalry hovered around the water."

It was still nine miles (14 km) to Tiberias. Therefore, with only a half day of marching time remaining, any attempt to leave this sure water source to seek that objective the same day, all while under the constant attack of Saladin's army, would be foolhardy. (In 1182 the Frankish army had only advanced 8 miles (13 km) in a full day in face of the enemy and in 1183 Guy had managed but six miles (10 km) in a similar situation, taking a full day.) But, as Saladin wrote, "Satan incited Guy to do what ran counter to his purpose." That is, for unknown reasons, Guy set out that very afternoon, marching his army forward, seeming to head for Tiberias.

When Saladin arrived from the taking of Tiberias, and after the Frankish army left Turan, the Muslims began their attack in earnest. Saladin sent the two wings of his army around the Frankish force and seized the spring at Turan, thus blocking the Frankish line of retreat. This maneuver would give Saladin his victory.

In the ensuing struggle, the Frankish rearguard was forced to a standstill by continuous attacks, thus halting the whole army on the plateau. The crusaders were thus forced to make camp surrounded by the Muslims. They now had no water nor any hope of receiving supplies or reinforcements.

Behe ad-Din summarizes the situation of the Frankish army:

They were closely beset as in a noose, while still marching on as though being driven to death that they could see before them, convinced of their doom and destruction and themselves aware that the following day they would be visiting their graves.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

On this date in Crusading History (cont):

On the morning of July 4, the crusaders were blinded by smoke from fires that Saladin's forces had set to add to the Frankish army's misery, through which the Muslim cavalry pelted them with 400 loads of arrows that had been brought up during the night. Gerard and Raynald advised Guy to form battle lines and attack, which was done by Guy's brother Amalric. Raymond led the first division with Raymond of Antioch, the son of Bohemund III of Antioch, while Balian and Joscelin III of Edessa formed the rearguard. While this was being arranged, five of Raymond's knights defected to Saladin and told them of the dire situation in the crusader camp.

Thirsty and demoralized, the crusaders broke camp and changed direction for the springs of Hattin, but their ragged approach was attacked by Saladin's army which blocked the route forward and any possible retreat. Count Raymond launched two charges in an attempt to break through to the water supply at the Sea of Galilee. The second of these saw him cut off from the main army and forced to retreat. Most of the crusader infantry had effectively deserted by moving on to the Horns of Hattin. Guy attempted to pitch the tents again to block the Muslim cavalry, but without infantry protection the knights' horses were cut down by Muslim archers and the cavalry was forced to fight on foot. Then they too retreated to the Horns.

Now the crusaders were surrounded and, despite three desperate charges on Saladin's position, were eventually defeated.




An eyewitness account of this is given by Saladin's son, al-Afdal. It is quoted by Ibn al-Athir:

When the king of the Franks [Guy] was on the hill with that band, they made a formidable charge against the Muslims facing them, so that they drove them back to my father [Saladin]. I looked towards him and he was overcome by grief and his complexion pale. He took hold of his beard and advanced, crying out "Give the lie to the Devil!" The Muslims rallied, returned to the fight and climbed the hill. When I saw that the Franks withdrew, pursued by the Muslims, I shouted for joy, "We have beaten them!" But the Franks rallied and charged again like the first time and drove the Muslims back to my father. He acted as he had done on the first occasion and the Muslims turned upon the Franks and drove them back to the hill. I again shouted, "We have beaten them!" but my father rounded on me and said, "Be quiet! We have not beaten them until that tent [ King Guy's] falls." As he was speaking to me, the tent fell. The sultan dismounted, prostrated himself in thanks to God Almighty and wept for joy.

The Muslim forces had captured the royal tent of King Guy, as well as the True Cross after the Bishop of Acre was killed in the fighting. Prisoners included Guy, his brother Amalric II, Raynald, William V of Montferrat, Gerard de Ridefort, Humphrey IV of Toron, Hugh of Jabala, Plivain of Botron, Hugh of Gibelet, and many others. Perhaps only as few as 3,000 Christians escaped the defeat. The anonymous text De Expugnatione Terrae Sanctae per Saladinum Libellus claims that Raymond, Joscelin, Balian, and Reginald of Sidon fled the field in the middle of the battle, trampling "the Christians, the Turks, and the Cross" in the process, but this is not corroborated by other accounts and reflects the author's hostility to the Poleins.

The exhausted captives were brought to Saladin's tent, where Guy was given a goblet of iced water as a sign of Saladin's generosity. When Guy passed the goblet to his fellow captive Raynald, Saladin allowed the old man (Raynald was about 60) to drink but shortly afterwards said that he had not offered water to Raynald and thus was not bound by the Muslim rules of hospitality. When Saladin accused Raynald of being an oath breaker, Raynald replied "kings have always acted thus. I did nothing more." Saladin then executed Raynald himself, beheading him with his sword. Guy fell to his knees at the sight of Raynald's corpse but Saladin bade him to rise, saying, "This man was only killed because of his maleficence and perfidy."

The True Cross was fixed upside down on a lance and sent to Damascus. Several of Saladin's men now left the army, taking Frankish prisoners with them as slaves.

[Sir William Marcus]

Twas the beginning of the end thanks to the absolute worse grandmaster to dorn the habit 'Gerard de Ridefort.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

On this date in Crusading History (cont):

On Sunday, July 5, Saladin traveled the six miles (10 km) to Tiberias and, there, Countess Eschiva surrendered the citadel of the fortress. She was allowed to leave for Tripoli with all her family, followers, and possessions. Raymond of Tripoli, having escaped the battle, died of pleurisy later in 1187.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

On this date in Crusading History (cont):

On Monday, July 6, two days after the battle, the captured Templars and Hospitallers were given the opportunity to convert to Islam or face death. Saladin's hatred of the Military Orders was founded upon his belief that they were the most fanatical of the Outremer's warriors caste, and the aftermath of Hattin proved him correct. The Brothers of the Temple were so eager for martyrdom that there was almost a stampede to be the first to be beheaded. All 230 Templar prisoners, and those of the Hospital were executed. [Note that this action reinforces Barbara Frale's account of how Brothers were selected for service in the Outremer, during their initiation into the Order and the rumor of "denying Christ and spitting on the Cross- that is those who would do so, were relegated to European locations, whilst those who refused, were those very Warriors selected to depart for the Holy Land, a most formidable and dedicated band of Warrior Monks.]





The executions (one of two executions of prisoners ordered by Saladin- and yet they only point out King Richard's execution of prisoners at Acre) were by beheading (a chivalrous choice by a leader portrayed by Ridley Scott as the very image of chivalry and "Christian virtues" in KoH). In an act of solidarity, many of the captured crusaders falsely claimed to be Templar knights, forcing Saladin's men to behead them as well. Saint Nicasius, a Knight Hospitaller venerated as a Christian martyr, is said to have been one of the victims.

"Saladin ordered that they should be beheaded, choosing to have them dead rather than in prison. With him was a whole band of scholars and sufis and a certain number of devout men and ascetics, each begged to be allowed to kill one of them, and drew his sword and rolled back his sleeve. Saladin, his face joyful, was sitting on his dais, the unbelievers showed black despair [somewhat contradictory to the previous description, unless it was because the executioners were untrained in the art of the sword and many a botched job was delivered]" - Imad ed-Din, Saladin's Secretary.

[SirMichael]

Greetings my Brothers,

I have taken up an over-watch position on the Great Lakes Medieval Faire gates. In less than 30 hours they will open. I do hear some great rumblings in the distance. I can also see a haze of dust approaching from afar....I will report back when the weekend is over. I hope you are all well and wish you were all here to rasie a drink or two but alas the faire is a dry one this year due to the Trumble County Trustees. Ahhhh my page and squire have packed me a skin of mead....we will not go thirsty. God Wills It!!!! Huzzzzzzah

Sir Michael of Mentor