Archive for January, 2009
Tonight on NBC another movie will appear similar in nature to The DaVinci Code. It is based on the book, The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury. The movie obviously will contribute to the questions surrounding the ancient military order. Many fictional and factual books have been published attempting to explain the mysteries of these crusading knights. One of the most popular studies of the Templars is Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln.
The book by Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln asks the question on which the mysterious legend is based:
“Who and what were the Knights Templar? Were they merely what they appeared to be, or were they something else? Were they simple soldiers onto whom an aura of legend and mystification was subsequently based?”
The Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon was founded in 1118. Its founder was Hugues de Payen, a nobleman from Champagne. The objective of the Templars was to keep the roads safe for the pilgrims visiting Jerusalem which at the time was in control of Christians. At the time there were nine knights and for a long period of time they admitted no one to their order.
They moved into lavish quarters in the palace of the King of Jerusalem. According to tradition their quarters were over the remains of King Solomon’s Temple and from their living place they derived their name. Because they resided over the remains of this rich, elaborate temple, caused many to question whether they truly were impoverished, chaste and humble warriors for Christ when in fact to many they appeared arrogant and rich. In fact they were rich, because they owned estates in most European countries, although when entering the order they were obliged to relinquish all their wealth and land holdings.
Although their behavior and chaste commitment were questionable, they played a major role when the west was forced to try to recapture the Holy Land from the Saracens. They were the most organized and disciplined of all the knights and foot soldiers who fought to recapture the land. They wore white surcoats and cloaks, and later a red cross was emblazoned on their garments. The white clad Templars could be seen protecting the rearguard and van of all Crusader marches. They were efficient and powerful soldiers–the best of fighters with the sword and lance. They sacrificed their lives for the cause. 300 Templars were executed at Hattin by Saladin, the well known Saracen leader.
Were they the best of the Medieval knights or the worst? Perhaps they were both. Regardless, they have aroused a curiosity regarding their past. Replica Knights Templar swords, shields and clothing are some of the most popular among Medieval collectors and reenactors.
In 2007, the film ‘300’, based on Frank Miller’s series of graphic novels about the battle of Thermopylae, was received with wide acclaim from fans of action movies. The cinematography of 300 was what set it apart as a unique film, however, it also true that the film was based on actual events as described by Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian. Though some of the fight and action sequences were exaggerated (it’s an action film after all), several historians agree that the director, Zack Snyder, captured the essence of Spartan society. The entire film sparked controversy when it was said to be historically accurate, but when thinking of the film more as entertainment with historical influence, it’s much better tolerated.
300 also created a media frenzy, and fostered interest from millions about ancient Greek society and the Spartans. The sale of paraphernalia such as Spartan helmets, spears, and shields increased dramatically with the release of the movie.
Though the technique of two-weapon fighting went out of style as single blade weapons and techniques evolved, it is still a central part of the history of fencing. Two-weapon, or dual wield, combat was common in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance period in Europe. There are a number different weapons that were wielded in the off-hand. The Main Gauche (French for left hand) was a small parrying dagger, while the notched sword breaker was a longer dagger that was designed to catch the blade of an opponent’s sword. There are several myths about heroes and warriors wielding two swords of equal size, but these are often exaggerated, as a consistent technique for wielding two heavy weapons just doesn’t exist.
Though modern fencing is now based around a primary weapon, there are still a few fencing schools that allow the use of two weapons. The main exception is Japanese kendo where two weapons of different size are still allowed in competition; though this is rare.
The linked-sword dances of of north-eastern England are performed by five, six or eight men. Traditionally they appear only during the Christmas season, usually on Plough Monday, which is January 12 this year.
The ceremony begins with the dancers walking round in a circle, in some versions clashing their swords together. Then they place the sword over the shoulder and each man grasps the point of the sword in front of him with one hand, while keeping hold of his own hilt with the other hand. Next the swords are lowered to waist-level, so that the dancers form a ring, linked with hilt and point by their weapons. This link is normally maintained throughout the dance.
Always mintaining their grip on their own and their neighbor’s swords, the dancers then perform a series of complicated figures– each following the other, they jump over and pass under the weapons, either singly or in pairs, so that the whole set turns itself inside-out and right-way-about many times. As a culmination, the swords are ingeniously woven togher into a pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal star (variously called the Lock, Rose, Knot or Nut) which is held aloft for display.
Both forms of sword dance share these basic characteristics. The Longsword dances of Yorkshire are performed by six or eight men, who use semi-rigid swords made from wood or metal, about three feet long, with a simple hilt at one end. After the Lock has been made - and sometimes passed from hand to hand round the marching ring of dancers–it is dropped over the head of a jester or clown so that it rests about his neck. Then at a given signal the dancers suddenly withdraw their swords and the pretend victime falls “dead” to the ground.
This dramatic feature is not included in the Rapier dances of Northumberland and Durham. These five-man dances are performed with short two-foot rapiers of flexible sprung steel, having both a fixed hilt and a swivelling point-guard. The pentagular Nut is so small that sudden withdrawal could really result in a beheading. The Nut is symbolically rested around the victim’s neck or used to knock off his hat. Often it is simply held up while the sword team performs clog dance in line or perform athletic feats like back somersaults over the swords.
Where did this sword dance originate? It is possible that this ritual dates to prehistoric times. It is also feasible that the dance originally represented the sacrifice of either a man or woman or totem beast. In some places the victims or jesters still wear animal skin caps whose resurrection were vital to the survival of the community. In prehistory the animal was the human source of food, clothing and weapons.
However it originated, it is a unique and skillful representation of the way of the sword. The sword dancers who still perform today are preserving a link to the past.
Happy Plough Day!
The Halberd is one of the most effective and well designed weapons of the Medieval era. It is a fabulous weapon for displaying your colors or herald. It is so versatile that it has been retained as a ceremonial weapon for the Swiss Honor Guard.
Its history is very short if compared to swords and armour. What is this strange weapon and what is its value?
The Halberd consists of an axe blade with a peak opposite it and it is sometimes another axe blade. There is also a long spike or blade on the end and it is mounted on a long shaft. The early forms were simple and heavy (early 13th century) but gradually became lighter and more elaborate. The shafts had long straps on them to prevent their being cut.
It was carried by sergeants in the British army until the end of the 18th century. The Swiss valued it so highly that they used in instead of the pike in their 15th century armies. Its use rapidly spread all over Europe.