Following Orders

[Femme Falchion]

I think the image denotes a Templar that has been a very, very, very, VERY baaaaaad boy.    

(BTW, is that you Brother William? Love to see the rest in that series.   )

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

I knew it....................

[Sir William Marcus]

(BTW, is that you Brother William? Love to see the rest in that series.   )

Yeah its me, I set it up myself. Unfortunately its the only image I saved because It was the only one were I was centered in the photo.

BTW, do you know how hard it is to tie yourself up? 

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

[Femme Falchion]

BTW, do you know how hard it is to tie yourself up? 

No.  Having said that, it's always good to know how to tie a variety of knots and hitches.   

[Sir William Marcus]

Yes Indeed. Its is always a good idea to know how to tie and untie a variety of knots & hitches

[Lady Christina de Pond]

must teach opposition to tie self up so i don't have to tie them up or could just get hockey stick

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

FYI:

Came across this today, thought I'd share...



And, hhhhmmmmm...........

http://www.amazon.com/Uppity-Women-Medieval-Times-Vicki/dp/1573240397/ref=sr_1_45?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236129544&sr=8-45

[Femme Falchion]

hmmmmmm indeed.  The series is not favorably reviewed.  The title alone puts a negative spin on all the female figures showcased.  It's common.  What's viewed as "uppity" in a woman is viewed as more positive and "assertive" in a man.   

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

I think I'm gonna be in trouble at GARF!

[Lady Christina de Pond]

Rofl WM how are you going to be in trouble at Garf?

[Femme Falchion]

I think I'm gonna be in trouble at GARF!

Nervous that Lady LeFay and I will join forces and gather all the uppity women together?  Cut our hair and put on the vestments of men?  Leave our men to watch the children so we can cavort and imbibe in spirits and flirt shamelessly with the handsome rogues?    Geeeeze, I can't wait!!!! 

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Aaaaaaahhhhh..... not! The Lady Lefay keeps me on a short leash, so I would be in close proximity, to deliver the "HoG" should uppity women get out of control, and make GARF resemble the spectacle of Beltane or the like....


Don't I wish......

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Today in Crusades history:

The great German Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was elected as the Holy Roman Emperor in 1152. Frederick was frequently at odds with the papacy over issues of authority and was even excommunicated by Pope Alexander III. He was able to consolidate power in Germany but lost territory in northern Italy. Frederick drowned while crossing the Saleph River during the Third Crusade, while leading the largest army yet to march on the Outremer.  He even sent a letter warning Saladin of the great Germanic host that was coing down to the Holy Land to right the wrongs done by the Saracen. It is said that Saladin feared Frederick's approach more than that of the French and English (Phillip and Richard the Lionheart).

And the legendary Saracen commander Saladin died today in 1193, not long after Richard the Lionheart's departure from the Holy Land. They had come to a resolution about the visitation and pilgrimage rights of Christians to the Holy City.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Anxiously awaiting the official review...   

Well, just finished Helen Nicholson's book, and again she reaffirms why she's a leading Templar historian. Her attention to the smallest detail would make an obsessive/compulsive proud. If there were ever to be an "Honorary Templar" as a female, she would definitely be cast for the position.

The book explains a variety of perceptions of how the Military Orders were viewed by their contemporaries; (clergy, commoners, royalty, and amongst themselves).

At their inception, they were viewed with suspicion, much like when the Department of the Homeland Security Office was developed after 911. How could "Holy Men" carry the sword and use it within the framework of the Church. Please remember that although the Order of the Hospital is the oldest of the Orders, that it was the Knights of the Temple that were developed strictly with the sword in mind.

To help validate the concept, Bernard of Clairvaux helped sell the idea with his strong and persuasive talents. Much like the Dallas Cowboys were "America's Team" of the 80s, the new Orders, especially the Templars were "Christianity's Team".

Their popularity read like the ride of a roller coaster. The high points were usually around victories, and when the powerful needed a degree of support. The low points were usually centered on losses, and when privileges were granted to them exempting them from taxes that others had to pay. Remember though.....war isn't cheap! Regular clergy were at odds against the rapid growth and privileges of the Orders, especially since they weren't ordained monks. Here the clergy had the advantage of being inside the public centers, having the commoners' ears, and being literate and capable of writing their grievances.

Again, most of this applies to the two predominant Orders; the Templars, and Hospitallers. When it came to the Teutonic Order, the National friction, which helped establish the German Order, helped to protect their autonomy from the Church. Germany was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, and many German Emperors were at odds with the Popes. The dominant two Orders were made up of many nationalities (but predominantly French), but as witnessed the Teutonic Order also carried the label of the German Order. This ethnical base proved a boon for the Teutons. They established decent relations with their warlike people, except in the Northern regions of Europe where Pagans took offense to their "conversion" activities.

She points out that the Pope like many of the Royalty, trusted the Orders for operations requiring security and trust: money holding/lending. The Pope even had Templars and Hospitallers on his immediate personal staff.

All in all, it was a great read. It has over 200 pages in the book, but only 130 are actual reading material. The others are supporting notes for each of the chapters.

If you're like Brother William, then I recommend you get it, but they're not cheap. The book has been out for awhile, and much coveted by historians, fans, history buffs, and medieval geeks worldwide.

Deus vult!


I have four new books coming in the very near future. Actually 3 of them aren't really books per say, but are awesome for gathering little details about gear. The last one was mentioned that I should take a look at it. I know Brother William and I have discussed its content before, but a good friend in uniform suggested I review it, so I will.

•   Osprey Publishing: Teutonic Knight: 1190-1561 (Warrior)
•   Osprey Publishing: The Crusades (Elite)
•   Osprey Publishing: The Scandinavian Baltic Crusades 1100-1500 (Men-at-Arms)
•   Nobly Born: An Illustrated History of the Knights Templar by Dafoe