Following Orders

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Many of us are aware of most Crusader battles and their participants, but many are probably unaware of actions by Reynald of Chatillon (made infamous by Brendon Gleason in KoH). Before Hattin in 1187, and besides his raids on local caravans near Kerak, he made a push into the Red Sea and very nearly assaulted two of the Holiest Cities of Islam. I have put together this simple visual aid based on Dr Mallet's work called "A Trip down the Red Sea with Reynald of Chatillon".

Just imagine had he captured one of these cities like the events that took place in Jerusalem!!!

[Hospitaller]

If he was as bloodthirsty as reputed, it would have just been more massacres.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

He might have had a few issues.........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynald_of_Ch%C3%A2tillon

[Lady Christina de Pond]

what issues might those have been warrior?

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

An enterprising, opportunistic, ego maniac, who spent roughly seventeen years in a Muslim prison (wouldn't take much to get a hatred started that focused on both fellow Christians-who failed to ransom him during that time  , and his Muslim captors  ), could find any number of reasons to have some "personal baggage".

There is a growing line of thought that both himself and the Grand Master Gerard de Ridefort may be much more misrepresented than they deserve. It should be noted that the writers of the histories around the time of the 1170s to the 1190s were pretty much from the Ibelin and Raymond of Tiberius camps, and had every reason to attempt to paint their benefactors in a good light as opposed to those of the Guy camp.

It makes for brighter futures......if you know what I mean. 

[Lady Christina de Pond]

yep major issues going on there

[amy]

I so enjoyed watching our Lord Clisto of York yesterday afternoon on the History Channel as His Majesty King Richard.   I hope we all have seen that episode about the Koran and it's comparison to the Bible.   Really well done as are most all of that series.    Good Stuff.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

I think all of the Brethren of this thread have watched it. Lord Clisto does a smashing job of portraying King Richard. We just hope folks don't get confused over the fact that Richard and his opponent never actually met face to face.

Also currently working on a post about the comparisons of the three big religions and their militant outputs and its continuation and relevancy to today.........more to follow.......

[amy]

I will particularly enjoy that one.  My Dad (years ago) taught a class on comparing the Bible and historical relevancy to todays application and today's society.  Loved it. (My dad the Marine D.I...)

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Then I hope my submission meets up to his standards.

(My dad the Marine D.I...)

Thank you for his service and your family's sacrifices. 

[amy]

I thought I should clue you all in on one reason I find this all so interesting.   Got to love our men in uniform.

[Lord Clisto of York]

I think all of the Brethren of this thread have watched it. Lord Clisto does a smashing job of portraying King Richard. We just hope folks don't get confused over the fact that Richard and his opponent never actually met face to face.

Also currently working on a post about the comparisons of the three big religions and their militant outputs and its continuation and relevancy to today.........more to follow.......

I thank you Warrior Monk. Yes, Richard and Saladin never met face to face as in the History Channel documentary. That was for dramatic effect, but it was explained. The battle left Richards forces about 15 miles from the holy place to where he could actually see it. Thus his terms were to leave Saladin have it under the agreement  he would allow all people to come and go without issue and Richard would keep control of the sea port cities. That's pretty much in in a nutshell.

Glad you liked it Amy. It is very informative about the real understanding of the Muslim Holy Book and not what it was corrupted to be later.

Lord Clisto   

[Lady Christina de Pond]

I'm going to live near the beach anyone want to go?

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Can't remember if we've discussed this here before, but I helped with this topic on another site. Just to show some connections to past religious teachings and the area that Western Christians dealt with during the Crusades...

http://i45.tinypic.com/2iscu2p.jpg

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

With everyone watching the news....I hope.......it's a question that has come to my mind of how many actually know about the historical significance of the location of Homs, Syria, where all the unrest is taking place currently.

The First Battle of Homs was fought there between the Mongols and the Mamluks (resulting victors) in in 1260, a mere 31 years before the Christian Crusaders were pushed out of the Holy Land at Acre in 1291.

A second return engagement was fought between the same opponents (Mamluks victors again)  there in 1281, now only ten years prior to the expulsion of Christian Crusaders.

Eight years after the Christian Crusaders were expelled, the Mongols returned and fought Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar (by nearby Homs) and this time were left with control of the battlefield, even if the price had been somewhat costly for them.

Geographically, the legendary Hospitaller stronghold of Krak des Chevaliers is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) East of the city of Homs.

So there you have it, today's installment of useless Crusader trivia as it pertains to current events!

I know the Black Friars on this thread will enjoy this...