Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Pendraken News & Info! => General Pendraken => Topic started by: Sunray on 29 January 2023, 01:03:25 PM

Title: monk or priest
Post by: Sunray on 29 January 2023, 01:03:25 PM
Is there a monk or priest in the ranges that would pass for Dark Ages Christian cleric?
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: fsn on 29 January 2023, 01:32:32 PM
(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-elm46-n-monks-10--6896-p.jpg?w=660&h=9999&v=948F7833-89D6-434F-919E-432648278978) Elm46?

(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-no6-n-kneeling-priests-rune-stone-1202-p.jpg?w=660&h=9999&v=129e769d-d879-49da-8b8b-95a29a1eb609) NO6

(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-elm37-n-armed-monks-1258-p.jpg?w=660&h=9999&v=129e769d-d879-49da-8b8b-95a29a1eb609) elm37

Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 29 January 2023, 02:10:30 PM
I know the CoE is church militant but think the armed ones are a tad too militant
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: fred. on 29 January 2023, 04:29:24 PM

QuoteI know the CoE is church militant but think the armed ones are a tad too militant
Is it?


I think these dudes pre-date the CoE by a couple of centuries anyway.
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: Sunray on 30 January 2023, 02:03:35 AM
Many thanks! What range is the ELM code from?
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: paulr on 30 January 2023, 05:38:30 AM
ELM = Medieval - Late European

I blame the French ;)
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: hammurabi70 on 30 January 2023, 11:18:18 AM
I understood that clerics used the mace or a cudgel so they did not shed blood; bladed weapons on such a figure are best avoided.
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: Raider4 on 30 January 2023, 11:45:24 AM

QuoteI understood that clerics used the mace or a cudgel so they did not shed blood; bladed weapons on such a figure are best avoided.
I've never understood this argument. You hit someone over the head with a mace or cudgel - or even a stout bit of 2x4 - you should see a fair amount of blood.
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: Ithoriel on 30 January 2023, 12:59:38 PM
I was under the impression that the belief in the use of maces by clerics was entirely down to Bishop Odo being shown using one in the Bayeux Tapestry and that the continued belief in this has more to do with Dungeons and Dragons than history.

Apparently, under canon law, medieval priests were forbidden to act as soldiers on the battlefield and permitted only to carry a cudgel for self defence.

Of course you don't normally forbid something unless people are actually doing it so draw your own conclusions! :)
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 30 January 2023, 01:06:47 PM

QuoteI understood that clerics used the mace or a cudgel so they did not shed blood; bladed weapons on such a figure are best avoided.
I think that's a mis-reading popularised by Gary Gygax.
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: steve_holmes_11 on 30 January 2023, 01:07:49 PM

QuoteI was under the impression that the belief in the use of maces by clerics was entirely down to Bishop Odo being shown using one in the Bayeux Tapestry and that the continued belief in this has more to do with Dungeons and Dragons than history.

Apparently, under canon law, medieval priests were forbidden to act as soldiers on the battlefield and permitted only to carry a cudgel for self defence.

Of course you don't normally forbid something unless people are actually doing it so draw your own conclusions! :)
See also, the Crossbow ban.
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: Sunray on 30 January 2023, 07:46:43 PM
Quote from: paulr on 30 January 2023, 05:38:30 AMELM = Medieval - Late European

I blame the French ;)

Thanks Paul!
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: hammurabi70 on 31 January 2023, 02:11:44 PM
QuoteI've never understood this argument. You hit someone over the head with a mace or cudgel - or even a stout bit of 2x4 - you should see a fair amount of blood.

I agree; a bit dubious but perhaps it is all about intent.  Which makes the whole ethos of fighting clerics a bit dubious.  Then again perhaps the vikings gave people a change of perspective.

Medieval European canon law said that a priest could not be a soldier, and vice versa. Priests were allowed on the battlefield as chaplains, and could only defend themselves with clubs.

Which must have been side-stepped by the military orders somehow, militant monks indeed!  No limitation on weaponry for them and a very robust view on fighting.  In which case, in what way would a cleric in arms appear different to any other combatant?
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: FierceKitty on 31 January 2023, 02:18:28 PM
Quote from: hammurabi70 on 31 January 2023, 02:11:44 PM...in what way would a cleric in arms appear different from any other combatant?


The distinctive battle-cry "For what you are about to receive...."
Title: Re: monk or priest
Post by: mollinary on 31 January 2023, 07:50:22 PM

QuoteI agree; a bit dubious but perhaps it is all about intent.  Which makes the whole ethos of fighting clerics a bit dubious.  Then again perhaps the vikings gave people a change of perspective.

Medieval European canon law said that a priest could not be a soldier, and vice versa. Priests were allowed on the battlefield as chaplains, and could only defend themselves with clubs.

Which must have been side-stepped by the military orders somehow, militant monks indeed!  No limitation on weaponry for them and a very robust view on fighting.  In which case, in what way would a cleric in arms appear different to any other combatant?

But, as far as I recall, monks were not ordained priests, and therefore none of this would apply to them?