tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post5698505463893098267..comments2023-12-06T09:36:49.503-08:00Comments on Defending the Crusader Kingdoms: The Reluctant Crusader? Henry II and the Holy LandHelena P. Schraderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06535398166485310212noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post-65937824198576059752016-04-25T23:28:30.106-07:002016-04-25T23:28:30.106-07:00Please Join and add Crusaders posts:
https://www.f...Please Join and add Crusaders posts:<br />https://www.facebook.com/groups/CrusadersSites/<br />RotemRotemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13534989068655723167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post-5263883880167437022016-03-28T09:26:09.058-07:002016-03-28T09:26:09.058-07:00It was not the Templars alone who played a role in...It was not the Templars alone who played a role in transferring knowledge between East and West. It was the crusades themselves, followed by tens of thousands of pilgrims every single year that made their way to the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem during it's nearly two hundred year existence. The Renaissance sprang above all from the establishment of prosperous states in the Levant, particularly the Italian merchant communities that lived there. The Italians and natives of these states traded in goods, but also brought new ideas to the West. The mixture of cultures at the cross-roads of East and West fostered intellectual and artistic exchange. I've written several essay on that in this blog.<br /><br />As for William Marshal, while it is true what he did while in the Holy Land is not recorded, the dates of his stay are very clear, as he returned to England in time to serve Henry II in his last struggle with Richard. During Henry's retreat from Le Mans, Richard pursued his father so hotly that he got ahead of his own troops. Marshal turned and alone blocked his way. Richard called out he was unarmed, and Marshal killed his horse in a single thrust of his lance.<br /><br />Marshal was with Henry II when he died. Richard rewarded him for his loyalty to his father by giving him the daughter of the Earl of Pembroke to wife, in short an earldom. All this was after his return from the Holy Land, which he would have visited in roughly 1184-1186, certainly before the Battle of Hattin and long before the Third Crusade. It corresponded to the period in which the Leper King died and was succeed by his sickly nephew, and possibly included the period of Guy de Lusignan's usurpation of the throne.<br /><br />If so, this was almost certainly the reason Marshal left the Holy Land. He had already encountered Guy de Lusignan in 1165, when "the Lusignans" attempted to kidnap Eleanor of Aquitaine while she was being escorted by Patrick Earl of Salisbury across Poitou. William was then in Salisbury's (his maternal uncle's) household. Salisbury gave his own, faster horse to Eleanor, and while he was remounting another horse one of the Lusignans ran him through with a lance. Marshal was wounded and taken captive in the ensuing engagement. (See my entry on "The Man Who Made William Marshal.)<br /><br />Since Marshal was outraged by this unchivalrous act and also ill-treated by the Lusignans, it is certain that he would not want to stay in a kingdom ruled by one of them -- very possibly his uncle's murderer. He therefore returned to Angevin service taking with him an admiration for the Templars and a white silk shroud for his corpse.<br /><br />When Richard left on his crusade, he named Marshal one of his justicars and he remained in England where he supported Eleanor against John's revolt.<br /><br />There are a number of good biographies of William Marshal. The oldest was written shortly after his death in verse form (as a song) in French and was based on first-hand accounts by those who had known him personally. The poem/song is 19,914 verses long, and the author was likely one of his own household, possibly a herald in the service of the Marshals. Few medieval lives have been as well recorded as that of William Marshal -- or if others were so well recorded, the written records of their lives have not survived the ravages of time to fall into our hands.<br /><br />This remarkable medieval biography is known as "Histoire de Guillaume le Marechal." If you do an internet search you may find a translation. You will certainly find many modern biographies (and biographical novels) about Marshal in English. So, if you are truly interested in his life, you have many, many sources to draw on and can spend a good deal of time reading. Have fun!Helena P. Schraderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06535398166485310212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post-63518041235721147842016-03-28T09:25:04.111-07:002016-03-28T09:25:04.111-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Helena P. Schraderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06535398166485310212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post-51350192901018773752016-03-27T19:21:48.335-07:002016-03-27T19:21:48.335-07:00It is interesting that the annals of history often...It is interesting that the annals of history often do not take in the full tapestry of events unfolding and immersing the actors resulting in a less than full and flattering portrait.<br /><br />In my case, I have an interest in the Templars and the Hospitalers (who preceded and survived them). My research and intuition tell me that there is more to the Templars than meets the eye. Their rise to power and papal favor allowed them to have a massive influence on trade with the east, banking, insurance, architecture, exploration, etc. In effect, the crusades in general and the Templars in specific brought the knowledge of the east back to Europe in the throws of the "dark ages". In a very real way, the Templars started the renaissance in Europe and their destruction gave birth to the reformation and inquisition. Not many historians make the connections that I sense intuitively must have happened.<br /><br />Regardless, in my research, I came across a very interesting character who may be a relative through several lines by the name William Marshall. I am sure that you are aware of him as he was cited as the perfect knight and model for chivalry. He also lived to his 70's and served four kings including Henry II, Richard III and John Lackland. It is said that he promised Henry on his deathbed to take up his promise to go on crusade. However, there is little information on whether he did or did not go to the Holy Land. And, if he did, what he did while there. I have one source that says he went on crusade for two years, grew tired of the infighting and returned to England. Since his time in the Holy Land would roughly overlap Richard's Third Crusade, I wonder if they were there at the same time. Also the story you recount about Baldwin IV's entreaties for a prince to rule the Kingdom of Jurusalem make me wonder if William may have been responding on behalf of Henry. There is little I can find to substantiate William's role or lack thereof. However, he was the most loyal of the English crown's vassals and most certainly would have been looking out for their interests in the Kingdom if he went. Given his skills at keeping the peace in England for John (Magna Charta), I do not believe he was an inconsequential character in so great an undertaking as the Crusades. It is also very interesting that his connection to the Templars in London was very great as one of the meetings of the barons was held at the Templar Church and his effigy resides there as his last wish. <br /><br />I cannot help but think the Templars were too smart to be taken unaware by Phillip the Fair in 1307 and believe that most of them along with their treasure and knowledge survived in other places such as Switzerland, Scotland, Spain and Portugal. Yet, there is little historical research on this topic. <br /><br />I wonder if you or anyone else in the community of historians interested in the Crusades has ever come across information about the role of William Marshall in the crusades or of the Templars post DeMolay's death and the supposed disbandonment of the Templars. <br /><br />res ipsa loquitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17434322168037871781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post-88150478379438916432016-03-21T13:03:24.499-07:002016-03-21T13:03:24.499-07:00Thank you for a detailed and interesting post on H...Thank you for a detailed and interesting post on Henry II. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09517848681660669374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683681702039130081.post-81753304907672861312016-03-18T08:10:56.542-07:002016-03-18T08:10:56.542-07:00Another man wrongly misjudged by history. No matte...Another man wrongly misjudged by history. No matter one's intentions, as King, Politics always plays a role, a much larger role than many can seemingly appreciate. go on Crusade, lose a large portion of your army in the fighting, only to come home and have to fight your own son -- or the King of France -- to get your Kingdom/empire back. that's neither an option, nor an intelligent move.Mystic Scholarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07593826779432906953noreply@blogger.com