Origins of the Cross of the Martyr/St George's Cross

Saint George (ca. 275/281 – 23 April 303) was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, and the Eastern Catholic Churches. He is immortalised in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His memorial is celebrated on 23 April, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.

St George's Cross was originally the flag of Genoa and was adopted by England and the City of London in 1190 for their ships entering the Mediterranean to benefit from the protection of the powerful Genoese fleet. The maritime Republic of Genoa was rising and going to become, with its rival Venice, one of the most important powers in the world. The English Monarch paid an annual tribute to the Doge of Genoa for this privilege. It was adopted for the uniform of English soldiers during the Crusades of the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries, particularly by the Knights Templar.

Non-combatant members of the Order

Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking, and building many fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land.

After the fall of Jerusalem - Decline

Jerusalem eventually fell and was taken by the Muslims in 1291. The Temple of Solomon was later demolished by the Muslims and a mosque was built on the site, now known as the Al Aqsa Mosque.

The Templars' success was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumours about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, began pressuring Pope Clement V to take action against the Order. Getting rid of them was a convenient way of cancelling his debts. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake. Pope Clement was convinced that while the Templar’s had committed some grave sins, they were not heretics. However, in 1312, Pope Clement, under continuing pressure from King Philip, disbanded the Order.

Quick facts

- Active c. 1119–1314

- 15,000–20,000 members at peak, 10% (1500-2000) of whom were knights

Events

Grand Master Gérard de Ridefort was beheaded by Saladin in 1189 at the Siege of Acre.

The last Grand Master was Jacques de Molay, burned at the stake in Paris in 1314 by order of King Philip IV.

Knighthood

Knight is the term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. Elsewhere, the Portuguese Cavaleiro (like the following, related to "chivalry"), the Spanish Caballero, the Italian Cavaliere, the French "Chevalier", the German Ritter (like the following, related to "rider"), the Swedish Riddare are commonly used in Continental Europe.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 542