Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  Alisha looked at Paul as he placed his stone with hers in the palm of her hand then clasped his over them.

  The local Templar Marshal moved to stand near to Niccolas.

  “If I may speak now to remove any doubt or suspicions to all here present. Some may consider this ceremony contrary to our monotheism and trinity as indeed the Bible does prohibit similar idolatry as pagan worship, yet do we not these days also use items such as gold rings and other such inherited pagan rituals simply copied across into new ceremonies, the substance of these new rituals having lost its true meanings leaving but a mere shadow of the serious obligations and one of honouring one’s own lineage and ancestry. The quaint and novel custom as used today is insufficient to adequately convey the true import of a true meeting of minds and spiritual unification. That is why we this day fully support and endorse this ceremony,” the local Marshal explained, smiled, nodded his head at Alisha and Paul and stood back again.

  Alisha and Paul looked at him and smiled. His words meant a lot to them. Taqi stood up on his toes for a moment and then placed his hands behind his back and looked at Niccolas to continue.

  “To continue…In ancient times, it would be extremely bad practice to neglect one’s ancestors on such a propitious day as a day of a wedding. The Oathing Stone is but one way of honouring them. Now open your hands and reveal the stones again if you will,” Niccolas asked. Alisha and Paul opened their hands together showing the stones. Niccolas made them both hold the stones in their left hand palms facing upwards. He then placed Alisha’s hand upon Paul’s, then grabbed Taqi’s hand and placed his palm down on top of them. Taqi smiled awkwardly not sure what he was supposed to do. He then motioned for Firgany to stand near. As soon as he did, he then placed his hand upon Taqi’s. “Do you herewith give consent, in the presence of all of your ancestors both living and dead, to bear witness to the words of power that we shall speak, those words being their personal commitments to the woman and man of their choice whom they love by the vows he brings forward and by her vows she brings forward?” Niccolas asked Firgany.

  Firgany looked at Paul, with his deep brown eyes looking into his very heart, Paul felt. Firgany seemed to hesitate for an age before Alisha shook her hand slightly. Firgany turned his gaze to Alisha. She could see the emotion in his eyes and it hit her in an instant. This was a huge moment for her father and she was only just realising that as he looked deeply into her eyes. She felt truly blessed to have such an understanding, patient and protective father.

  “Of course I give my consent,” he said softly and nodded.

  “Good…that is a relief,” Niccolas said jokingly and sighed with relief. Alisha and Paul laughed. Quickly Niccolas opened their hands and took the two stones and passed them to Taqi to hold carefully. Quickly Niccolas then took out a black, yellow, white and crimson cord. He pulled Alisha’s right hand and Paul’s left hand together and wrapped the cord around their wrists. As he gently tied them together Alisha could not stop smiling. “With this cord, I am symbolically and physically ‘tying the knot’. This knot hereby legally binds you together on a trial marriage contract that will be enforced and last exactly a year and a day. If it does not work out, and no children are born, then you are both free to go your separate ways.”

  Alisha looked at Paul, alarmed, then her father.

  “Do not worry, daughter. A child you shall have so that aspect is not exactly relevant is it?” Firgany stated and looked at Paul.

  Niccolas then beckoned the local Hospitaller Marshal to step forwards. As he approached he revealed a large lanthorn’s light with two new candles set inside it.

  “These two candles within the lanthorn symbolise the coming unity of your two families,” Niccolas explained and took the lanthorn’s light. He opened it and handed it to Taqi to hold. The Templar Knight holding the small lit torch approached. Niccolas took out a small lighting stick, set it alight from the torch and quickly handed it to Paul. “You must light the first candle,” he explained. Paul immediately lit the first candle. Niccolas took the lighting stick and passed it to Alisha and nodded she do likewise. Nervously, with her hand shaking, she lit the second candle within the lanthorn. Once the candles were fully alight, Niccolas closed the glass cover and handed the lanthorn to Taqi. “By doing this you are both as individuals joining as one in the true light of creation.”

  Firgany then stepped closer again after Niccolas gave him a nod. He opened his satchel and revealed an ornate silver two handed type of cup. Both Alisha and Paul looked at it bemused as he then quickly poured in some fresh water from a small bottle. He offered the cup to Paul. Hesitantly he took it not knowing what he should do next.

  “This is known as a Quaich cup…or loving cup!” Niccolas said aloud. “You drink from it to symbolise sharing between the newly wedded couple. It is an ancient vessel used to celebrate the bond between both individuals and their families, who must each partake of the offered drink.” Niccolas took the Quaich cup and passed it to Paul and then placed Alisha’s hand on the cup too. He moved the cup to their faces. “You simply sip from the cup together,” he explained.

  Alisha and Paul awkwardly moved their lips to sip the water. Both laughed as they tried to do so together, their faces pressed against each other, their hands still bound loosely at the wrists.

  Niccolas took the two handed Quaich cup and handed it to Taqi. Taqi looked at it surprised. Niccolas indicated with a quick nod that he too must drink from it. Taqi quickly wiped the side, which made them all laugh. As soon as he had sipped some water, Niccolas handed it to Firgany who sipped from it then handed it back to Niccolas. He then beckoned Sister Lucy over. Hesitantly and confused she came nearer.

  “As you represent Paul’s family this day, you must likewise sip of the cup,” Niccolas said softly.

  Sister Lucy looked surprised and scowled at Niccolas briefly. He proffered she take the cup again. She looked at everyone staring at her. Quickly she sipped from the cup and handed it back. Niccolas placed it down upon the white gravel stones as she moved aside part embarrassed.

  “Now Alisha and Paul, you must repeat after me the words I shall speak. But only repeat them if you genuinely feel and mean them. And remember this, your beliefs do not make you a better person; your behaviour does. Are you ready?” Niccolas asked.

  Alisha and Paul looked at each other, smiling, as Paul took Alisha’s hands in his again.

  As Niccolas read the words out aloud, Alisha and Paul repeated them carefully and without hesitation.

  “You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself,

  “But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give.

  “You cannot command me, for I am a free person,

  “But I shall serve you in those ways you require.

  “And the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

  “I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night.

  “And the eyes into which I smile in the morning.

  “I pledge to you the first bite from my meat,

  “And the first drink from my cup.

  “I pledge to you my living and dying, equally in your care,

  “And tell no strangers our grievances.

  “This is my wedding vow to you.

  “This is a marriage of equals.”

  When Alisha and Paul had finished speaking the last words, they instinctively pulled each other closer. Firgany took a deep breath as he struggled to contain his emotions. Taqi smiled at seeing this. Niccolas immediately pulled out a crimson coloured sash and handed it to Paul. Quizzically he looked at it.

  “You now wrap it around her shoulders,” Niccolas whispered as Alisha laughed gently. Paul indicated his hands were still bound to Alisha’s. Quickly Niccolas unwrapped the cord, freeing his hands. Paul then placed the crimson sash around her shoulders and pulled the ends down straight to hang loose. She smiled at him and he could not keep his eyes off hers. Taqi feigned a mocking frown. “Now then, this ceremony
is as old as time and supersedes all others. Now here, take these and throw them as hard as you can into the sea,” Niccolas explained and picked up the two whites stones and handed them one each.

  Bemused, Alisha and Paul looked at each other then at Firgany. He nodded in agreement. Slowly they walked to the edge of the white stone circle and looked out across the calm sea, the sun setting ever lower on the horizon, the lanthorn appearing brighter as the evening drew in. Paul motioned for Alisha to throw first. Hesitantly she looked at the stone, then at everyone looking at her. She pitched back her arm, arched herself and, very unladylike, threw the stone with all her might with a slight grunt as the physical effort made her draw breath heavily. She straightened herself up as she watched the stone sail into the air. All looked and followed its arch of travel, surprised at the distance she threw it. Then it dipped down and with a silent splash entered the sea. Paul looked at her as she shrugged her shoulders playfully. Firgany shook his head, smiling. Paul weighed the stone up and down in his hand not sure he could throw the stone that far. He leant back and with all of his might threw the stone. It flew through the air and again everyone followed its trajectory as it arched up and then down. The circles of ripples from Alisha’s stone were still spreading out and a few bubbles remained where it had entered. Paul’s stone fell in exactly the same spot. Paul let out an involuntary cheer. Niccolas ushered them back into the centre of the circle and waited until they had stopped smiling so much.

  “It is done…you are now married…husband and wife,” Niccolas said solemnly. Alisha and Paul looked at each other excitedly not able to contain the huge smiles on their faces. Paul quickly looked at Niccolas and shrugged his shoulders. “Tut…you two…It is customary to kiss the bride,” Niccolas said and shook his head.

  Alisha looked at Paul and turned to face him directly. Paul looked at Firgany and then Taqi as Sister Lucy moved closer, her face still looking as stern as ever. Firgany nodded as if to approve. Paul briefly looked at the knights surrounding them. This was a moment he would never forget for the rest of his life, he thought. One of the Templars nodded and mouthed silently ‘Kiss her then’ and smiled. Paul looked at Alisha, her white teeth showing through her open smile. She looked at him as his hair started to blow in a gentle breeze that started to roll in off the sea as if in response to the stones. She could not believe her luck and how she was feeling. Everything was now possible. Both moved at the same time and gently placed their lips upon each other and they kissed whilst holding their hands together tightly. Firgany turned his head away briefly as he fought to stop tears welling in his eyes. Taqi let out a cheer and raised his arm, but soon put it down when he realised he was the only one doing so. Sister Lucy moved to stand next to Firgany and placed a reassuring hand upon his forearm.

  “They will be fine…of that I do not doubt,” she whispered to him and they both looked at Alisha and Paul, still embraced.

  0 – 0

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

  “Ah that is truly beautiful. Why can’t we get married again like that?” Sarah asked and looked at Stephan, who grimaced mockingly.

  “’Twas a beautiful ceremony and day indeed,” the old man sighed.

  “So what then?” Simon instantly asked impatiently.

  “After the ceremony, they returned to this place and had a celebration meal. Nothing grandiose but a simple meal,” the old man started to detail when he was interrupted by the wealthy tailor.

  “Sorry, I get the significance of the ceremony, but I just want to confirm in my own mind about this Muslim double standards on marriage and their disgraceful treatment of women in general,” he remarked.

  The old man shook his head and paused for a moment as he considered his response. “First of all, please know that women are actually portrayed positively in the Qur’an and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The Qur’an is the only book of world Scripture in which women are frequently referred to alongside men and both are described as being friends and partners in faith, despite the contrary sentence saying a man may hit his wife. You must understand that these writings were scripted in different times. There are countless references to women being equal to men in every sense. Here in Christendom woman cannot own property, yet in Islam they can and most certainly do. This is why it is so important not to be so quick to judge and only listen to selected phrases and statements. To do so is incredibly dangerous. There is no question in Islam of men and women being at odds with one another, engaged in some kind of historical struggle for power. Rather, the roles of both are complementary and essential. The Qur’an states: ‘O mankind! Be mindful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single being’.”

  “Like soul partners then, made from one being?” Sarah interrupted excitedly. The old man smiled, paused for a moment and continued.

  “And from it created its mate, and from the two of them has scattered countless men and women throughout the earth. Fear God, in Whose Name you demand your rights of one another, and be mindful of your duty towards the wombs that bore you. God is ever watching over you (Qur’an 4:1). Even the Prophet Muhammad augmented the revelations he received with further teachings and his own personal example, which made him beloved by family and followers alike. He strictly forbade violence against women, and preached against all forms of abuse of power. He warned that both men and women would be held accountable by God for those in their care or under their authority, and said: Let no Muslim man entertain any bad feeling against a Muslim woman. If he should dislike one quality in her, he will find another that is pleasing. The best of believers are those who are best to their wives and families,” the old man explained.

  The wealthy tailor looked at the others around the table. He shook his head, puzzled, as Gabirol wrote further notes. The old man looked at them all and waited for any questions. None came so he continued.

  “Know that while Muslim sons are being taught that Paradise lay at their mothers’ feet, women in China are told to obey their fathers, then their husbands, and finally their sons after their husband’s death. Hindu women are declared to be unfit for independence, inherently weak, easily misled, sinful and unintelligent. In Buddhism, women were said to be the personification of evil. At this time, there are many Jews and Christians who still believe women to be responsible for the downfall of mankind, and worse, many still consider menstruation and childbirth to be the consequences of a divine curse. Married women here in Europe still do not have the right to own property, obtain a divorce or enter into their own contracts. Not surprisingly, women who find such teachings unreasonable rebel against them and fight for better treatment. Whereas other women have often had to pit themselves against the authority of a male priesthood, in Islam the dynamics of social change have been quite different. A point to well remember.”

  Gabirol coughed lightly to get the old man’s attention.

  “It is my understanding that the Prophet Muhammad was an extremely successful social reformer as well as spiritual and political leader. Did he not champion the rights of the weak and oppressed? The Qur’anic verses referring to women had the effect of vastly improving the status and rights of women at the time they were revealed. Muslim women were granted the right to own, inherit and dispose of their own property as they saw fit; reject forced marriages; keep their own names and identities after marriage; initiate divorce; and obtain an education as far back as the seventh century. Yes?” he asked the old man directly.

  “You are well learned, Gabirol. And yes that is so and in stark contrast to the dismal situation affecting many women in Christendom today. You probably know then that many Muslim women are noted for their learning and accomplishments. The Prophet declared, ‘To seek knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim, male and female’, and his own wife Aisha was responsible for transmitting thousands of his sayings to later generations. Aisha was also renowned for her knowledge of poetry, medicine and Islamic law, as well as her personal qualities of charact
er and intelligence. When she led a battle after the Prophet’s death, no one objected on the grounds that she was a woman,” the old man explained.

  “Really…I had no idea. Perhaps we should become Muslim,” Sarah joked, looking at Stephan.

  “Er, you already rule this household,” Stephan joked back as the rest laughed.

  “It is perhaps also worth noting then that many Muslim women presently enjoy positions of respect as scholars and religious authorities. Therefore, Muslims seeking to improve the position of women in society have usually focused their efforts on getting men and women to practise Islam, rather than trying to ‘reform’ it, as happened with other religions. The main obstacles to Muslim women achieving the rights guaranteed to them, then and now, have been persistent un-Islamic cultural traditions usually dating to the period before people accepted Islam in a given locality, inadequate religious education, and the bad side of human nature,” the old man said, looking at her.

  “Human nature…perhaps that is the single one factor that sullies the waters of everything?” Simon said nonchalantly.

  “So to get this right, in Islam women are considered to be the spiritual equals of men, and they have the same religious duties?” asked the wealthy tailor.

  “Yes. This is all the more important when we consider that the main goal of a Muslim is to serve God, and that this world is regarded as no more than a testing-ground to prepare oneself for eternal life after death. Therefore, worldly accomplishments, fame, wealth and power simply do not have the same attraction for a Muslim, whose main focus is on the Next World,” the old man started to explain until the Hospitaller interrupted.