Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Interesting Facts About the Crusades

Crusade is a collection of waves of armed religious conflict started by the Christians in the period 1095 - 1291, usually sanctioned by the Pope on behalf of the Christian Religion, in order to take back Jerusalem and the "Holy Land" from Muslim rule and was originally launched in response to a request of the Byzantine Empire, who are Eastern Orthodox Christians to resist the expansion of the Muslim Seljuk dynasty into Anatolia.


1. Richard the Lion heart, known as the King of England, and the funny thing is he did not speak English.  
Since childhood he has always been in France. He was born in England just ride. In fact it is said, he is more proficient in Arabic rather than English. 

2. King Richard was in England in his reign for 11 months only.  
Queen Berengaria of Navarre, in fact never been to England at all. Therefore, Richard is also known as "The Absent King 3. So do not trust in the motivations of his fellow expedition Crusades, King Richard once said:  "I am more willing to Jerusalem led by a Muslim sage and warrior spirit of the holy city rather than fall into the hands of the barons of Europe are only pursuing personal wealth" 4. At an event in the battle at Jaffa, when the cavalry Crusaders feel fatigue, Richard himself led an army against the Muslims spear. Saladin was at his side almost in awe . When she saw Richard's horse fell under him, immediately sent carpenters Saladdin his horse into the battle with the two horses that are still fresh to the King of England who brave it .  

5. There is also a story about Richard who entered Jerusalem in disguise and had dinner with Saladin 
they are actually being friendly to each other. In a series of conversations, Richard asked the Sultan of how his views on the King of England. Saladin replied that Richard is more outmaneuvered in the nature of courage as a warrior, but sometimes he tends to squander this nature to be rash in battle. Meanwhile, according to Richard, Saladin was too moderate in strengthening the values ​​of chivalry, even in battle  

6.  One day, Richard was very ill. Hearing the news, Saladin sent his best doctor to treat Richard . When else can we get the leaders of the Muslims who have morals like Salahuddin?  

7. The Europeans initially called Muslims as a Barbarian, but due to the intensive contact of the crusades, they gradually realize that the real barbarians are them. If judging from the high civilization of the Muslim culture and science at that time.  

8. According to historical records, at the time of the crusades, all women and prostitutes in Crusaders kicked out of camp. The entire holy Crusaders should be physical, free from passion. But there is one group of women who freely out the washerwoman Crusaders camp shirt. Even if a group of washerwomen want to travel between cities, they were guarded by an army of knight, and followed the infantry. If a convoy is attacked, the safety of this washerwoman no.1. Muslim troops captured time, the laundress is more respected than the ordinary soldier. To the extent that Richard the Lion Heart is also willing to pay for rations for the washerwoman's  

9. When Frederick Barbarossa (Emperor Frederik II's grandfather) died on the third crusade expedition, many knights who think that this is the will of God and many joined with the Muslims. Then the remaining carrying the bodies of Barbarossa headed to Jerusalem with the presumption will be reborn later Barbarosa. 

10.  German Emperor Frederick II, had a special relationship with Malik Sultan of Egypt in the Crusade V. 
He felt at that time (the time of the dark ages), the comparable only with him on issues of culture and personality are the princes of the Muslim empire. It is therefore somewhat eccentric lifestyle (he was polygamous, but a Catholic is not the case.) 

11. When forced to participate in the crusade, Frederick II captured Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth without dripping a drop of blood. Although actually he was just hired to a third city of the sultan Malik friend of Egypt  

12. Frederick II events ever to hit the priest who entered the mosque and warned not to do it again.  
While al-Malik had advised by Knight Templar to kill Frederick II at pengawalannya being loose. Knowing this, al-Malik immediately told Frederick II in order to get out of there because it was 'dangerous'.  

13. The defeat of the Europeans are generally a result of insubordinasi single command alias is less strong in the unity of the army consisting of different elements of the barons and military order of real mutual dislike of each other.  
In addition, in some of the defeat, the mercenaries (mercenary) and European volunteers are often too quick to leave the ranks to plunder the cities of Islam that almost conquered. It makes the troops have cornered the real Islam can counter-attack  

14. Turkish troops are attacking khwaraziman jerusalem in 1244 when it controlled by the descendants of Genghis Khan, Eljigidei.  
The funny part of this force is predominantly Buddhist army commander even Hulegu khan is also a Buddhist.  

15. Crusader is actually sending the wrong address, the Seljuk Turks who annoy many of the Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, was thrown out by the Caliph of Egypt.  
However, the length of the trip as well as poor information makes Crusader leaders did not hear the change of power in Jerusalem.  

16. Elite division in the Russian Cossack cavalry and horse riding in France Musketer inspired by the success of the Arab cavalry archers. Not only as a cavalry troop sayab but a special forces  

17.  Build an army of knights enormous cost.  
A medieval king even in the most only have about 100-300 Full with Heavy Horse Knight who served under his command in full - time. Normally the king would gather around the Knight who is under the dukes and barons when facing a big battle.  

18. the Knights was the son of the noble general, who have no inheritance rights. 
In those days the nobles as well as anywhere, the father's wealth and power only inherited by his eldest son, unless the king or the baron's son to the rich which two and three are still likely to inherit an estate by the county or a small castle. Sons who do not or feel less wealth is usually from the teens to hone the skills of war itself. They were then at a certain age (15-16 years) at the inauguration of a knight by the king or baron, where he served.  

19. There is a rule that is never violated by both sides during the Crusades.  Nobility fact or law that is applicable Chivalry in the Middle Ages that the king should not kill a fellow king.  Especially when captured. One of the knights and their code of ethics is that they never kill the noble families of patrician or people who surrendered / captured in battle. However, specifically for the religious-military orders like the Templars, Hospitallers and Teutonic Cross in the war, that rule does not apply to the noble / aristocratic Muslim. Except in special circumstances, or get special orders from the Crusader leaders who have a direct mandate from the Pope. In the Arab tradition, a king of kings never kill each other. It was adopted when he did not kill Saladin Guy of Lusignan, king of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem when it managed to win the battle of Hattin  

20. Saladin had violated ethics and Islamic law of war which he always cherished when he executed all the prisoners of the Knights Templar and Hospitaller when he won the battle of Hattin.  
Hattin is because the previous Templar forces who participated in this war and attacked the residence of brother killing his sister saladdin, while Richard the Lion Heart had also violated the code of conduct and ethics Noble Chivalry was 2000 when he executed the captive soldiers of Saladin in front of the gates of Acre / Akko