Following Orders

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Divine Intervention?

Battle of Ourique

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ourique

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Talk about your connections....

The Siege of Santarém in 1184.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Santar%C3%A9m_(1184)

Thus, Afonso continued to distinguish himself by his exploits against the Moors.

In Portugal he built several monasteries and convents and bestowed important privileges to religious orders. He is notably the builder of Alcobaça Monastery, to which he called the Cistercian Order of his uncle Bernard of Clairvaux (Co Founder of the Knights Templar!) of Burgundy. In 1143, he wrote to Pope Innocent II to declare himself and the kingdom servants of the Church, swearing to pursue driving the Moors out of the Iberian Peninsula. Bypassing any king of León, Afonso declared himself the direct liegeman of the Papacy.

Afono's offspring would be persons of note as well:

Pedro Afonso c 1130 1169 A.k.a. Pedro Henriques. 1st Grand-Master of the Order of Aviz.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Aviz

Afonso c. 1135 1207 12th Grand Master of the Order of Saint John of Rhodes (also known as the Knights Hospitaller).

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Losing their heads.....

The Battle of Montie in 1143.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Montiel_(1143)

[Hospitaller]

The "Head on a pole" posturing seems to be a continuing theme from the beginning of history, up until fairly recently (150 years ago maybe?). I'm wondering if maybe we shouldn't go back to that as a deterrant and a show of power?

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Braveheart fans might be interested:

The Battle of Teba:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Teba

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

The "Head on a pole" posturing seems to be a continuing theme from the beginning of history, up until fairly recently (150 years ago maybe?). I'm wondering if maybe we shouldn't go back to that as a deterrant and a show of power?

It wasn't heads on poles, but we can see the display of grizzly trophies by our opponents in Somalia in 93, and the Blackwater Contractors hung from the bridge in Iraq in the early part of the current struggle. The insurgents still behead some captives.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Warrior Monks from other Orders in action:


The Battle of Salado


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_R%C3%ADo_Salado

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

If you've not read it, I recommend Joseph F. Callaghan's book titled: "Reconquest and Crusade in Medieval Spain".

This was pretty interesting, especially about Crusading indulgences being issued prior to the launch of the First Crusade. It should also be noted that the author has actually broken the whole of the Reconquista down into identifiable Crusades on the Iberian Peninsula with dates of duration.

There's also a good section on Warfare & Equipment of the Crusading Era.

Truly fascinating is the account of Warrior Bishops and how many knights they brought to the fight with them!

I have posted some photos of some of the Orders mentioned within the book, although one (Knights of the Order of Santa Maria de la Merced) was given equal footing of a Military Order, its sole purpose was recovery of Christian Prisoners from the Muslims through diplomacy(like that would work... ).

A few of these Orders were still in existence in 1492.

#1:
Knight of the Order of Santiago- XVI century
Order of Calatrava -XVI century                 
Knight Templar- XIII century


#2:
Knight of the Order of the Band- Kingdom of Castile- XIV century


#3:
Order of Calatrava- XIV century
ORDER OF SANTIAGO- XI  century                         
GRAND MASTER OF THE ORDER OF SAN JUAN HOSPITAL


#4[b/]:
Knight of the Order of Santa Maria de la Merced and the redemption of captives- Kingdom of Aragon- XIII century
Caballero Alcantara of the Order -the Kingdom of Castile- XIV century

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Tidbits you find here and there......

During the years of Saracen expansion and the threat of pirates, there came a Pope of extraordinary purpose........

Pope Leo IV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_IV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ostia

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

REN-DEUS-VULT 2011 at Fishers Faire in Indiana.

[Hospitaller]

Nearly enough Brothers in tha gathering to start a new Holy War!!!!

Congrats on such a great gathering of Warrior Monks!

[Lord Clisto of York]

It was really a great time with everyone for sure. Next year we make it even bigger.

Lord Clisto

[Brother J. Heaton]

 I see the Temple was out in force ! ! ! !

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

The Order of the Temple was by far the largest force, but we had Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights. Can't forget to mention some secular representation in the way of a King and Scottish knight.

I'm looking for the large group shot.

[Lord Clisto of York]

We can't forget the Turcopole presence as well. Yes, we were out in force to maintain protection for the village as well as plan our next crusade because "Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub" lurks just around the corner.