Crusader Pilgrims

[Druzhina]

There are a pair of Crusader Pilgrims in Armies and Enemies of the Crusades 1096-1291 by Ian Heath. I have only come across one contemporary crusades period example: The Crusader's return. Relief from the Abbey of Belval, perhaps in commemoration of the return of Hugh I of Vaudemont (d.1154)


Are there other contemporary illustrations?

Druzhina
12th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Most are gravestones of knights in churches, the old wives tail is crossed legs on a memorial means the internee was a crusader...

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Thought the Crusaders were shown by crossed hands on the image ?

IanS

[Techno]

 

Cheers - Phil.

[cameronian]

Beautiful crusader tomb in Barmston of all places (east riding of Yorkshire). Very modest little church, bit of a barn really, but the tomb - beautiful.

[FierceKitty]

Beards? Tails? I may have to repaint my pilgrims!

[Westmarcher]

Thought the Crusaders were shown by crossed hands on the image ?

IanS

I once read it's crossed legs if you had been on Crusade (or been a Knights Templar), straight legs with feet resting on a dog if you died 'peacefully' at home. Sword, if died in battle?

[FierceKitty]

Crossed eyes if your heirs welshed on paying the sculptor.

[cameronian]

Here we go ...

[fsn]

a) Is this all true?
b) For what period is it true?
c) If the whole thing about equestrian statues true as well?

Was it convention, or "da larw"? Surely some poor old knight lying peacefully on his deathbed and said "I don't like dogs. Make it a cat." would not be gainsayed?

[FierceKitty]

After losing his horse, Sir Bohemonde was offered a St Bernard as an emergency remount, prompting the plaintive reply "You wouldn't send a knight out on a dog like this!"

[Ithoriel]

Various animals were carved at the feet of knightly effigies.

I was always told that a dog indicated the fidelity of the departed - religious not marital.

I remember seeing a tomb somewhere with an ape at the feet of the knight, apparently because an ape was part of their heraldic charge. I saw a lot of churches/ abbeys/ cathedrals as a child when holidays involved driving around the country visiting relatives and being taken sightseeing so can't remember exactly where.

I was also told that the sword on the chest was more to do with martial aspiration than martial achievement. The same bloke told me that knights travelled with a cauldron if they travelled abroad and if they died while away from their home country they would have the flesh boiled from their bones and the bones and embalmed heart would be returned to their family. No idea if either of those are true but as a mid-teenager they were fascinating.

[Westmarcher]

Crossed eyes if your heirs welshed on paying the sculptor.

[cameronian]

Various animals were carved at the feet of knightly effigies.

I was always told that a dog indicated the fidelity of the departed - religious not marital.

I remember seeing a tomb somewhere with an ape at the feet of the knight, apparently because an ape was part of their heraldic charge. I saw a lot of churches/ abbeys/ cathedrals as a child when holidays involved driving around the country visiting relatives and being taken sightseeing so can't remember exactly where.

I was also told that the sword on the chest was more to do with martial aspiration than martial achievement. The same bloke told me that knights travelled with a cauldron if they travelled abroad and if they died while away from their home country they would have the flesh boiled from their bones and the bones and embalmed heart would be returned to their family. No idea if either of those are true but as a mid-teenager they were fascinating.

Edward I bones in a box, carried into battle.

[Westmarcher]

Wishful thinking, Cam (well, certainly in Edward I's mind). But when he died (at Burgh on Sands) they thought b**ger that idea and went home.