Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  “I know not what occurs here or what has happened whilst I have been away, but I shall find out. If there is any dishonour upon my family, I shall seek satisfaction through you,” he said, his voice menacing in tone. Gerard laughed, but clearly nervous of Firgany’s very close and intimidating presence. “Now if you will excuse me, I have matters to settle and having just learnt of the death of my sister, I am in no mood to engage with you,” Firgany stated.

  Several Templars came and stood behind Reynald and Gerard. Rashid immediately dismounted and stood next to Firgany as Taqi stood in front of Alisha. Stewart approached just as Nicholas and Baldwin joined him walking towards the group.

  “You stand with this outlaw?” Gerard said pointing to Rashid.

  “I see no outlaws here, perhaps save one criminal,” Firgany replied.

  “Oh I see where the little princess gets it from,” Gerard mocked loudly just as Stewart, Nicholas and Baldwin stood next to Firgany. Gerard raised his eyebrows at them disapprovingly. “And you,” he said pointing at Rashid. “I know of you only too well. I know you had something to do with causing our Grand Master, Philip de Milly, to relinquish his position back in ’71, but do not think you have any power or influence here,” Gerard sneered.

  “And I know only too well all about you, de Ridefort. You would do well to work with us rather than against us. As for Philip, he is a man of great honour and foresight. You would do well to learn from him,” Rashid replied assuredly.

  “He was weak and pathetic. Thanks to you we now have another Grand Master just as weak and feeble as he was. Do you think by political means and intrigue you can manipulate our Order to have at its head fools, for that is what you have done?” Gerard stated.

  “As I said, Philip is a great man of foresight and wisdom. And we need not resort to such machinations when ambitious fools like you aspire to the position,” Rashid shot back calmly.

  “Gentlemen, please check your emotions. Now is not the time for this,” Reynald interjected and started to pull Gerard back a short pace as Rashid placed his hand over his sword. Several Templars on horseback pulled up behind Rashid’s men and Gerard folded his arms and laughed. One of the knights dismounted and rapidly walked through Rashid’s men totally unopposed, which confused Gerard. As the knight approached, he unslung his shield from his back passing it to an attending sergeant. The shield was the same size as Gerard’s, with a red cross in the top left quadrant and lower right quadrant. The upper right and lower left quadrant had three green stripes, the top ones being hedged. Gerard immediately recognised the coat of arms as that of Odo de St Amand, the present Grand Master of the entire Knights Templar Order. Gerard’s eyes widened.

  “Yes, Brother Gerard, ’tis I, Odo de St Amand in all his weakness and feeble personage himself,” Odo said loudly. “I have travelled well with these people this past week and if you knew anything of the reality of what goes on, you would curse yourself for your ignorance. You are but still just a Master out here and outside of Jerusalem, may I remind you, not the Grand Master, as you aspire to be, though Lord help us all should that day ever happen. You dishonour our Order with your antics. You are a danger and a liability. Dare I say, a simple, crude and brutal opportunist? This is NOT your order, is that clear?” Odo said sternly but controlled his anger.

  Reynald raised his hands in despair and turned to walk away.

  “Do not think that does not apply to you also, Reynald,” Odo stated.

  Reynald swung around and smiled broadly. “Ah, Master Odo.”

  “Do not mock or patronise me, Reynald. I have heard too much of you two and what abuses and liberties you take. Both must, and will, stop with immediate effect. Together you make an unholy alliance of mischief,” Odo reprimanded.

  Nicholas could not help but smile at hearing this.

  “You will apologise to this lady and her family…and you will do as you are ordered,” he demanded.

  1 – 20

  “But she attacked me…,” Gerard replied.

  “Enough! A girl small as that attacks you…Honestly. Do you realise how childish you sound? For heaven’s sake…If you wish to actually rise within the Order, then you will learn to obey and follow commands. How can you expect to lead men and give orders if you cannot at first even follow them from your superiors?” Odo shot back, his annoyance rising.

  “I lead already, Master Odo,” Gerard snarled back defensively.

  “Yes…unfortunately so…you lead badly. Learn to lead by good example and you would indeed reach your aspirations,” Odo shot back instantly. “If you cannot do that, and if you persist in following almost blindly him,” Odo expressed, pointing at Reynald, who immediately pointed to himself and pulled a face, “you will find yourself dishonourably discharged from this Order, your only recourse left being to crawl back to ask if you can resume your service within King Baldwin’s court.”

  “Grand Master…I shall always listen to your wise council,” Gerard replied and bowed his head. As he raised his head again, he looked at Alisha and grinned.

  “Good. You will follow me to Tortosa. From there you will be issued with new orders for I am having you sent back to France immediately. Whilst away you will ponder your actions before I allow you to return…is that understood?” Odo asked Gerard.

  “But I have but this past day arrived after many weeks’ journey,” Gerard replied still staring at Alisha.

  “Do as I command or stand down your position this very hour. The choice is very clear.”

  “Then what choice do I have, Master? Consider me in France already,” Gerard answered, his tone laced with belligerence.

  Reynald flounced around shaking his head.

  “Keeping you two apart will, I am sure, keep both of your heads upon your shoulders,” Odo concluded.

  As everyone stood quietly for several moments, only the odd snort from a horse breaking the silence, Alisha became aware of several men looking at her. She smiled when she noticed Nicholas looking at her with a broad smile. He patted his injured side to indicate it was fine. Stewart looked at Nicholas and then at Alisha. A large cloud suddenly covered the sun, casting the entire courtyard into shadow.

  “Come, daughter,” Firgany said quietly as he turned and ushered Alisha away, seeing how several of the knights were looking at her. “We have much to sort and plans to change and rearrange,” he said as he started to walk towards the Keep.

  “My friend…we shall see you again soon I trust,” Rashid said as he clasped Odo’s arm.

  “Indeed we shall. I cannot thank you enough for your assistance these past weeks.”

  “It has been my honour alone.”

  “Rashid, the Great Man of the Mountains, gets better favour than your own side,” Reynald said loudly.

  “Own side…that I sometimes question with you for I fear the only side you have is your own,” Odo responded.

  Nicholas walked over to Rashid’s men still on horseback with Baldwin beside him. Baldwin shook hands with one of them, the same man who had tended to his and Nicholas’s injuries when first ambushed. Reynald shook his head disapprovingly, as did Gerard. Reynald pulled Gerard backwards as he was bowing slightly as he walked away from Odo.

  “My friend…just play this one the way Odo wants for now. He underestimates your popularity with your fellow brothers. Bide your time well for the day will indeed come when you will be Master of the entire Order,” Reynald whispered.

  “Yes I shall. And with you at my side, we shall put an end to all this diplomatic bullshit once and for all with these Muslims. And that pretty young thing will be just a plaything in my chambers,” Gerard stated.

  “And I swear one day I will descend upon Mecca itself like an eagle swoops upon a mouse!” Reynald whispered, laughing.

  Port of La Rochelle, France, Melissae Inn, spring 1191

  “I did not realise that such a close cordial relationship existed between the Grand Masters of the Orders and the likes of this Ashashin leader,” Simon said, shaking his
head in confusion.

  “As I said before, fishmonger, most people here do not realise nor appreciate the realities of what actually went on…still goes on…in Outremer. Perhaps you should go and visit some day,” the Templar stated.

  “Yes, the sooner the better,” Sarah said.

  “Were you aware of these facts?” Simon asked back.

  “Well yes, obviously. There were several occasions when our Order fought alongside Rashid’s Order. Perhaps we shall hear more on this?” the Templar answered.

  “Yes, perhaps you all shall. And indeed I will come to cover that aspect very shortly. And I do mean very shortly, Simon,” the old man explained, smiling at the fishmonger.

  “So what did Firgany do next then? Did they head for Egypt as planned?” Gabirol asked.

  “No not quite. Firgany obviously had to change plans now as going direct to Alexandria was out of the question.”

  “Why?” Simon asked instantly and Sarah banged her head on the table in frustration.

  “Because Firgany did not wish to send an impersonal message direct to Philip saying that Raja had passed away. He knew it would part destroy his best friend and he wanted to be near to help him. Despite his own grieving for his sister, he knew it would be harder for Philip. And that is why after a brief stay at Castle Blanc, he sent word ahead by messenger that he and his family would be returning to La Rochelle first before all going on to Alexandria. He secured passage back to France for all of them. Poor Stewart was not best pleased when he was instructed to accompany Gerard back to France also, but overland. Stewart had developed a grudging respect for Gerard despite his temper and at times obvious hate for Muslims. Grand Master Odo had seen the respect Gerard had afforded Stewart as Stewart was not afraid to stand up to him, which I must point out, very few dared. He hoped it would be a wise move putting them together again as he was sure Stewart’s influence would help rein him in,” the old man explained.

  “Did Firgany resolve his interest in Mawsil or was Alisha still bound?” Simon asked again.

  “Yes, my friend, he did. And at far less cost than he thought. That in turn meant he was able to pay Reynald in gold for his apparent services protecting Alisha in his absence. Alisha protested he should not be paid anything, but Firgany made a very public point of doing so. A man’s word and honour is nothing if he does not keep to it, he would often tell her and Taqi,” the old man said, smiling as he thought upon it.

  “What, even to scum like Reynald who didn’t deserve it?” the farrier asked.

  “Even more so in Firgany’s opinion. And besides, though history may show Reynald to be a greedy war mongering zealot with a murderous streak, there was in fact more to him than that.”

  “Let me guess, you’ll also explain that too, later!” Simon remarked sarcastically.

  “Sarcasm does not really suit you, Simon…and actually, no I probably shan’t,” the old man replied. Sarah sat back and laughed. “I can tell you that Alisha was excited at the prospect of returning to France as it meant she would again see Paul, and much sooner than had been planned. She immediately wrote one of her love notes for him and placed it inside the letter for Philip so it would arrive before they did. Firgany made a mental note of both Gerard and Reynald. Taqi looked forward to seeing Paul again so he could tell him all about the Ashashin he had travelled with and his hopes of joining them one day. Especially as he had learnt that they actively worked alongside Templars so their fears of having to one day fight each other would never happen,” the old man explained.

  “Oh dear…you said it again…that means that they will most definitely fight each other,” Simon interrupted.

  Sarah picked up a wooden tankard and threw it at him, he ducked and it missed. The Hospitaller Knight laughed out loud, which made the others start to laugh. Eventually Simon joined in laughing too.

  “Before you continue…I am a bit confused about these Ashashin, who exactly or what side were they on and how or who is in charge exactly of the Templars. There seems so many Marshals,” Peter asked and looked at Sarah hesitantly. She smiled.

  “How come it’s okay for him to ask questions but I can’t?” Simon asked.

  “Because he is not annoying,” the Templar replied with a large grin, mockingly.

  “Please, gentlemen. I would rather you stop and ask me questions…at any point, rather than remain confused. But in answer to the Ashashin, I will come to that, Simon…but know they served no one particular side. As for Grand Marshals and Marshals. Let me explain…As you know, especially you two,” as he nodded at the Knights Templar and Hospitaller, “the Grand Masters were the leaders of the Knights Templar, as were the Hospitallers also under a Grand Master of their own, just as several other military orders in the region. Sometimes the alternative term ‘Grand Prior’ was used by the Hospitallers, and the term ‘General Master’ was also used. Believe it or not, the term ‘Grand Master’ does not actually appear in the Templars’ original rule, only ‘Master’, but it is generally now accepted. The ‘Grand Master’ was the spiritual, political and military leader of the Order,” the old man detailed.

  “Then how come such people like Gerard could become a Marshal?” Simon asked. The old man smiled.

  “Marshals, especially the Grand Master, were and still are chosen by a complex electoral system. The Preceptors in the Holy Land would usually choose a provisional leader until an electoral college, drawn from the international Order’s chapters, could be established. Eventually, after a whittling down process, the next Grand Master, who was in theory supposed to be an experienced, professed brother of the Order, and not a partisan outsider, would be selected. The Grand Master was supposed to be beyond the influence of kings, and to answer only to the Pope. Though that rule led to some serious problems in its own right. But in general, the Grand Master presided from Jerusalem. And in theory from wherever he happened to be. He was normally installed for life, though there was precedent for a Grand Master resigning, as happened with de Milly before Odo. The Grand Master did not quite have autocratic powers within the Order, despite the emphasis on obedience as a sacred duty. He could not access the Order’s treasury on his own; one key was retained by the Commander of Jerusalem, who was also the Treasurer. He in theory ruled with the advice of a council, the Chapter, and rather as in most monastic institutions, important decisions were usually made at Chapter meetings. The Chapter had to approve any decision to make war or to accept peace treaties. Moreover the Grand Master’s power seems to have been limited when it came to appointing regional Preceptors. The local brethren were able to have a say in this. That is one of the reasons Gerard was able to rise so quickly. Some say by intimidation and sheer physical presence. The Grand Masters frequently toured Europe seeking succour for the Holy Land from the western sovereigns, and also visiting regional Preceptories. In his absence, a deputy called the Visitor had the task of inspecting regional Templar establishments, to ensure they were maintaining standards and supplying the required men, money and provisions to the East. This is what Odo commanded Gerard to do, much to his annoyance. But Gerard was a shrewd strategist and knew and accepted this was a part he had to play out. The Grand Master it has to be said was often afforded greater respect and honour than those due to a prince,” the old man explained as both the Templar and Hospitaller listened intently.

  “We knew of Philip de Milly. He was Grand Master when I took my initiation pledge. But I knew he controversially resigned at the end of 1171. For reasons we were never informed of. Do you mean to tell me you can answer why?” the Templar asked.

  “Yes…I can answer that. And at the risk of offending Simon, I will reveal that later also. Odo de St Amand did indeed become the Grand Master after Philip de Milly.”

  “Er…I think I have just worked it out. This Philip man, he resigned. Is it because he is the Philip you speak of…the father of Paul and Stewart…?” the wealthy tailor excitedly interrupted. All looked at him and then back at the old man quizzically.

  �
��No…They are not the same person. But good reasoning,” the old man answered with a smile. “But I can say that Philip de Milly had good reason to resign. What I tell you now may bore you and send you to sleep, but I pray you listen as the details are important for they set the stage and background to what happens later,” the old man said as he studied the tired looking faces around the table.

  “I can make a strong drink that will wake the dead if that helps? Stephan said and stood up.

  “Aye that sounds like a plan,” the Genoese sailor said loudly with a smile.

  Everyone sat quietly as Stephan vanished out the back. They all laughed as they heard him drop a large pan and swear, Sarah apologising for his language. Gabirol wrote more notes and took the short break as an opportunity to flick through Paul’s journal. Stephan came back with a tray with lots of small dark green glasses upon it. In his other hand he carefully balanced a mini wooden beer keg.

  “Here we all go. This mead beer has been warmed and has an added kick mixed in that will certainly keep you awake tonight and probably all the next,” Stephan boasted as he placed them upon the table.

  “Will it kill us or make us blind?” the wealthy tailor asked.

  “Us lot, probably…but you…no!” Stephan replied jokingly as he quickly passed around the glasses. Within minutes everyone had a glass cupped in their hands. The mead was hot and tasty. Several shook their heads as the drink hit them. The old man declined a glass and simply poured himself some water.

  “Okay, as we are all suitably reinvigorated, let me continue by telling you about the Templar Marshals, starting with Hugues de Payens, the presumed founder and first Grand Master of the Knights Templar.”

  “Presumed?” the Templar interrupted.

  “Yes, presumed, as this tale I tell will explain…but, yes Simon, before you say it, again later. Hugues was a knight from Payens, ten miles from Troyes, Troyes being named after the classical Troy, just as France’s own capital Paris is thus named. Troyes was a vassal of Hugh, Count of Champagne, and a relative of the Lords of Montigny. The Counts of Champagne play an important role within this tale I tell you this night. He was married and had at least one son. Hugues de Payens’s wife was one Catherine St Clair, but this fact has since been deliberately hidden for reasons I will explain later. French charters have been written that he was in fact married to one Elizabeth de Chappes. Either way, his son named Theobald became abbot of Saint Colombe-de-Sens in 1139. Hugues de Payens was, sadly, widowed just before 1114. Hugues de Payens did take part in the First Crusade though records do not state that he did as he went incognito, so to speak. However, Hugues and the Count of Champagne did visit Jerusalem in 1104 and again in around 1115, forging links with the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1118 Hugues, along with Godfroi de St Omer and others, approached Baldwin the Second in Jerusalem and won his royal approval for their new military and religious Order, originally known as the Militia of Christ, or the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ. They were subsequently endorsed at the Council of Nablus in 1120 and soon given quarters in the former Al Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount. The knights swore religious vows before the Patriarch in the Holy Sepulchre and pledged their swords to the defence of pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem. By 1123 Hugues was being referred to as the Master of the Knights of the Temple, or ‘Magister Militum Templi’. William of Tyre claimed that after nine years there were still just nine knights in total to their order, but I can confirm that there was in fact a further thirty original members that supported them and their endeavours. Hugues de Payens returned to Europe in 1127 and sought support for his new brotherhood and recruited volunteers to aid the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He won the support of the influential Abbot ‘Bernard of Clairvaux’, and after three requests received from the Abbot a missive endorsing the Order, titled ‘De Laude Novae Militiae’, which means ‘In Praise of the New Knighthood’. You must recall earlier that I explained that Hugh I, the Count of Troyes, or Champagne as we state now, who was present when the first founding nine knights recovered items from beneath Solomon’s old palace, was a great friend of Bernard’s. He had been the main benefactor that gave Bernard his grant of lands in 1115 for the reformed Benedictines at Cîteaux, the Cistercians, in order to found Clairvaux Abbey, a Cistercian monastery at Clairvaux in a wild valley of a tributary of the Aube, where Bernard was appointed abbot and became famous as Bernard of Clairvaux. Hugh’s charter made over to the new foundation Clairvaux and its dependencies, fields, meadows, vineyards, woods and water. A deeply affectionate letter from Bernard to Hugh still survives, written in 1125, when Hugh went off for a third time to fight in the Holy Land, joining the Knights Templar, leaving his pregnant wife, and disinheriting his son Eudes the First. But in regard to Hugues again, he toured France, Flanders, England and Scotland and gained the favour of the rulers of these lands. He also met Fulk the Fifth, Count of Anjou, who would become one of their first honorary associates and a great supporter of the Order in the Holy Land. Hugues addressed the ecclesiastical Council of Troyes in 1129, giving an account of the Templars’ purpose and way of life. He had an input into the Latin Rule, which was produced and ratified at the council, making the Knights Templar an official arm of the Catholic Church. Hugues returned to the Holy Land, and saw action in Baldwin’s unsuccessful campaign against Damascus. He died peacefully seven years later, and was succeeded by Robert de Caron. Now Robert became the second ‘Grand Master’ of the Knights Templar in 1136. Although known as ‘the Burgundian’, he was born in Anjou, he was the younger son of Renaud de Craon. He had given up a fiancée in Aquitaine to join the newly formed Order in Jerusalem, serving under Hugues de Payens directly. He was also present at the Council of Troyes. He oversaw the continuing growth of the Order and saw it gain extensive privileges as a result of the Papal Bull ‘Omne Datum Optimum’. Robert participated in some inconclusive campaigns against the forces of Aleppo in the Holy Land. He was succeeded by Everard des Barres, who arrived from France with the forces of the Second Crusade. Everard des Barres was the third Grand Master of the Knights Templar and came from an aristocratic family of Meaux, Champagne. He entered the Order in his teens, and by 1143 had risen to the rank of Grand Preceptor of France. He was chosen to lead the order on the death of Robert de Caron. He was close to King Louis the Seventh of France and accompanied him on the Second Crusade, soon after his elevation in 1147. The embarkation followed a Chapter meeting held in Paris, attended by King Louis, by Pope Eugenius the Third and by a hundred and twenty Knights of the Temple, including some summoned by Everard from Spain. It was at this meeting that the Order received the right to wear the red cross of martyrdom on their white habits. Everard des Barres was one of those sent ahead of Louis to Constantinople, where he met with Manuel I Comnenus. Subsequently Templar discipline and courage saved Louis’s army from destruction, fending off the attacking Turks amid the Cadmus Mountains in Anatolia. Odo of Deuil praised Everard for his piety and for the wise example with which he furnished the others. The Grand Master later assisted Louis with a substantial loan of two thousand silver marks. He also took part in the ill-fated campaign against Damascus, which sadly planted a seed of disillusionment in him. Everard returned to France with the King after the ignominious end of the Crusade, and stricken with guilt over the failure of the venture, he resigned from the Templars in 1151, and joined the Cistercian Order at Clairvaux in order to do penance. He was replaced as Grand Master by Bernard de Tremelay. Bernard de Tremelay was the fourth Grand Master of the Knights Templar. He was elected following the abdication of Everard des Barres, and led the Order in the aftermath of the unsuccessful second Crusade. It was during the Second Crusade that Philip and Firgany first came face to face, by the way. Bernard was a Burgundian, from a family originating near Dijon. Bernard and the Templars supported King Baldwin the Third of Jerusalem in his 1153 campaign against Ascalon, the only coastal town still in Muslim hands. A preliminary to this had been the strengthening of the castle at Gaza, which the Templars had taken over. This had se
vered Ascalon’s land connection to Egypt. The Christians laid siege to Ascalon itself on 23 January 1153. Bernard de Tremelay had a wooden siege tower built and moved it close to the walls. The Egyptian defenders of the city succeeded in setting this on fire, but the wind changed direction, carrying the flames towards Ascalon. The walls themselves came crashing down. The Templars rushed into the breach without the King’s knowledge, while Bernard de Tremelay prevented the other Crusaders from following him inside, hoping to keep the greater part of the plunder, some said. If so it was foolish over-confidence, for the next day the Egyptians hung the beheaded bodies of the Grand Master and forty of his men over the ramparts. The Christians fought on and the city fell to Baldwin soon after. Meanwhile André de Montbard succeeded as Grand Master of the Temple. André de Montbard was also a Burgundian of noble birth.”