Following Orders

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Yes.   

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Here's a list of key Crusader era fortresses (Previous occupants) in Syria and their proximity to the current struggles going on in Homs.

1.   Chastel Blanc (Templar)
2.   Krak des Chevaliers (Hospitaller)- looted
3.   Margat, or Marqab (Hospitaller)
4.   Masyaf Castle (Ismailis and Hashshashins)- - shelled
5.   Saladdin Castle, or Saône ( Principality of Antioch and Mamluks)
6.   Tartous (Templar)

[William the Braveheart]

Interesting to know who is patterning after a true life and what research you chose.

It's all past life soul and cellular memory. We ALL used to live in those time periods that we so love recreating at Faire. Why do you think we're so attracted to Renaissance Faires/Festivals?

Absolutely no doubt in MY mind that we actually existed in other physical vehicles (bodies) during the Dark Ages, Middle Ages, Medieval and Renaissance periods. We get finished with one shell (body) and after a brief rest period, we (Soul/Spirit) just trade it in for another and merrily (Or not so merrily) go about our Karmic business............     

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

I decided to take on a challenge of writing a viable history of Christopher Lee's character in the 1997 BBC series Ivanhoe. In it he plays the venerable Templar Grand Master Lucas de Beaumanoir.

Historically we know that at the time that Ivanhoe takes place, around 1194, there was already an established Grand Master, so why did Scott create another (ref: Chapter 35)?

Taking Christopher Lee's age at the time of the filming into consideration, he was over 70, I went back and developed a time line. With that established, I tried to adhere and give justification to most character assessments found posted on the story of Ivanhoe pertaining to Master Lucas de Beaumanoir.

Example:    
Lucas de Beaumanoir is the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar. He is old, and was a formidable warrior in his youth.

So here you have it......

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Lucas de Beaumanoir; The Early Years



Lucas de Beaumanoir was a 3rd generation Norman/English personality. He endured the basic track to knighthood, and participated in several forays against pockets of Saxon, Angel, and Jute resistance to Norman presence in the far reaches of the Kingdom. With agricultural hardship setting in and his family and feudal lordship dying off due to disease, Lucas chose the path of the righteous. He knew of no other way to meet the needs of necessity like food, shelter, and camaraderie like that presented by a new phenomenon.

He applied and was accepted into the Order of the Temple in 1137. He was roughly 18-20 years old, and the Order was still enjoying the initial popularity inspired by its first Grand Master Hugues de Payens. Under the leadership of Master Robert de Craon, the Order found itself shipping as many able body and combat experienced Brethren to the Outremer. Brother Lucas was to have his first taste of combat against an unconventional opponent during an engagement with Zengi, the emir of Aleppo. Although initially successful, Master Robert's forces, of which Lucas was a part, were later surprised by a return force preventing what had been typically customary- the looting of enemy camps. This lesson would not be lost on the continuing refinement of the Order's Rule.

It was also at this time that the Order received the privilege to wear the red cross on their habits, thus providing that extra bit of "exclusionary" thinking Lucas would become prone to especially in what would become a military elite.

In 1140 Lucas now 21 years old,  he and a force of his Brethren resisted a numerically superior Turkish army at what was called the Battle of Tecua.

Local Frankish armies besieged a fortress of the plunderers located between mount Jil'ad and 'Ajlûn. During this long siege, the "Turks or Turkoman", seeing the kingdom of Jerusalem without protection moved against and raided and plundered the village of Tecua.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

The only military force defending Jerusalem was the small force of Templars led by Master Craon. They raised all the available armed people to confront the Turkomans. When the Frankish armies previous deployed against  Jil'ad and 'Ajlûn  approached, the plunderers fled into the plains of Ascalon and refused to fight.

The Franks construed this as a win and set about pursuing their enemy. This separated the French force from the Templars. Noticing this, the Turkomans regrouped and attacked the Franks and cut them to pieces.

Seeing this, Master Craon rallied the Knights Templar to head towards the front of the fight, in order to protect the flight of the Frankish knights.

A great many of the Frankish Knights and more than half of the Templars died. Lucas was now painfully aware that what worked in Europe would by no means ensure victory in this arid wasteland.

This little skirmish would in all reality be a 'dress rehearsal' for what Lucas de Beaumanoir and his Brethren would experience less than 50 years later at a place called Hattin.

Lucas de Beaumanoir went on for several years distinguishing himself in the sands of the Outremer, gradually increasing his position through his steadfast approach to the Order's mission. His reputation grew as well, but not with the splendor that comes with success and victory, for his was a story of unrelenting devotion, and for him "forgiveness" was an ideal best left to the Almighty, for failure of any type usually resulted in death there.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

During the years of the Second Crusade, Lucas had a chance to demonstrate his tactical knowledge and troop leading capabilities, when he was assigned a conroi of Frankish knights and assisted in protecting King Louis army during the disastrous episode. Lucas and his fellow Templars demonstrated fantastic discipline and inspired many who gazed upon their actions during various close encounters with a devilish enemy.

Under the direction Master Tremelay during the siege of Ascalon in 1153 , Lucas served as the security element outside the breach site, unknowingly sealing the fate of the valiant Brothers who moved inside to crush what was expected to be a disheartened mob of resistance, but tuned out to be a large force of Egyptians who destroyed the breach force along with the Master. It was here that Lucas started to see a change of heart regarding the Order and their efforts in the Holy Land. He was roughly 32 at the time.

Through daily personal interactions with the newly arrived Master Montbard, who was incidentally the uncle of St Bernard of Clairvuax, Lucas de Beaumanoir learned some of the idiosyncrasies of managing and Order. He was now roughly 35 years old and physically close to his peak of martial prowess.

After Master Montbard passed away in Jerusalem, Bertrand de Blanchefort took over as the senior Templar. His was a tenure of addressing deficiencies and perceived deficiencies within the Order to bring it back to its previous state of social and economic grace. Lucas was selected to be on the personal staff of the Master at this time, due to his extensive service in the Outremer. Many at this time made jokes (although not to de Beaumanoir's face, and most certainly whilst on patrol where some regulations were relaxed) that they would name a fortress after him, since he'd been there so long. It was this period in time that planted the seed of doubt as to the sinless nature of the Order's activities and its Brethren.

In 1171, Lucas is awarded the prestigious position Castle Lord to Chastel Blanc in 1170 in recognition of his remarkable duration of continued service (now aged 50) to the Order and its interests from Master Phillip de Milly.  He goes about this assignment with unwavering effort to rebuild and improve the fortification that once stood at this strategic spot.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

In 1179 after improving his fortresses' physical status, he receives refugees from the disaster at Jacob's Ford. He also witnesses the turmoil caused by the loss of another Master of the Order. Existing leadership recognize that de Beaumanoir's age was becoming a factor in a young man's game of war in the Outremer, so he's assigned more administrative duties much like an inspector general of existing Templar holdings in the East.

Between 1181 and 1184, Lucas de Beaumanoir is sent back to Europe, by the directive of Master  Arnold of Torroja, to seek increased men and material for the Outremer due to age and battlefield injuries, travels by way of Mediterranean, landing in South Spain due to storms. Now ranked as Visitor in the Order, de Beaumanoir makes his way North through the Iberian Peninsula sharing tactics, techniques, and procedures with the various local heads of Templar holdings.

By 1185 he is in France. Lucas' daily functions revolve around visits with secular authorities and advancing the Order's cause. Many returned veterans in closed session chapters start to voice suggestions that Lucas with his reputation and experience should be considered as Master of the Order. Examples were given as to how Sparta was run by a two King system, and that the Order might benefit with a forward Master, and one in the West to leverage similar authority within the confines of Europe in an effort to further the cause in Palestine. It was at this time that Lucas de Beaumanoir's contact with senior leadership of the Order was cut, as much of the day to day activities of the Order were now being decided by one Templar without so much as the Rule's mandate for a gathering of a specified audience of learned Brethren. It's at this period in time that the Order experiences another loss of a Master, giving more credence to a "Two Master" system.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Between 1191-93 Lucas de Beaumanoir has left Templar Headquarters in Paris and is making his way North to the coast of Northern France, spot checking the Order's commandaries for efficiency, practices and faith, begins to hear stories of misbehavior of senior Brethren amidst the Order as well as career advancement opportunities for himself through supporters.

The Order's Master, Robert de Sable is busy supporting King Richard's efforts in the Holy Land to liberate the Holy City.

In 1194 now in his 70s, Lucas de Beaumanoir assumes the title of Grand Master (some say much like an Anti-Pope struggle) while in the West, supported by a Chapter of senior Brethren without traditional Order approval.

Un beknownst to the European Brethren, a Master  Gilbert Horal had been selected as the Grand Master in 1193, but at the time he was in the Outremer,  where his policies of peace with the Saracen did not sit well with many of this fraternity.

*INSERT*: Story line from Ivanhoe

It wasn't until after the Lionheart's direct interaction with Lucas, the Order and local secular heads that Lucas returned to a less high profile position within the Order. It is believed that he went on to retire and pension inside one of the numerous houses dotting the English country side.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

tosses pillow at wm just checking in from my sand box

[amy]

Hello Lady DePond!      And WM I am watching Ivanhoe tonight to make sure I have the straight... Thank you for this!  I love it!

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Post viewing feedback is encouraged!! 

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Greetings Militissa in the Frati della Beata Gloriosa Vergine Mari, I hope this small missive finds you well and in good spirits as you go about doing Good work.

[amy]

Sadly Ivanhoe was not available on the instant as I had hoped so I have to wait for the DVD to arrive.   Short delay in fitting the pieces together.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

We are discussing the 1997 BBC series in a two DVD set yes? One can find it at Barnes and Noble or Best Buy for around 20.00 to save a movie collection from gaining the title of Heretical for its distinct absence....