Well, the title gives away a spoiler. That's my main announcement. Yes, Kings and Crusaders will be ten books. Rather or not, they will be released in publication of ten books in the future, I'm not sure, I might combine several of them in one volume at a time, like Tolkien did for Lord of the Rings. But Kings and Crusaders will be ten books.
I will address this more later. I had to make this decision to truly develop the story as good as I can, and without racing through the history.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Sunday, December 4, 2016
School Paper on Comparison of Saladin and Richard I
There is no duo of rivals from any period of military history and conquest reverenced by legend and honor more than Richard the Lionheart of England and Saladin of Syria. Richard the Lionheart captivated the imagination of his age more than any other king. More books, as an example, have been written on Richard than any other monarch of England; the Lionheart is recognized especially among children for the legends of Robin Hood associated with him. Famous leaders of the past have, including Winston Churchill, praised the actions of Richard (192-204) . No textbook in English ever criticized Richard I until the late nineteenth century. Saladin, too, was well-renowned in his time; not for being the front-fighting warrior as Richard, but as the Saracen king that re-captured Jerusalem from the crusaders and united a divided, Islamic world (Crompton 84). Though the Middle Eastern people mostly forgot Saladin until the twentieth century, he was remembered in the West as a chivalrous opponent. The similarities between Richard and Saladin are many, as are their differences. Both were skilled leaders, iconic figures of their day, yet while Richard was accustomed to the rainy, English years, nothing could feel more at home to Saladin than the sand-parched deserts surrounding. Interestingly enough, neither ever met the other. Though Saladin was a great lord and general to his people, Richard I came to be a great challenge to him, and an even greater challenge than any other crusader. That Richard I was the greater warrior is proven by his devout faith to God, his victories over Saladin in the Third Crusade, his proven abilities on the battlefield, chivalrous relations with both friend and foe, and even his death.
Although Saladin and Richard were both strong in faith, Richard's faith was nevertheless more worthy. Saladin was born in Tikrit in 1137, now present-day Iraq. He was raised in the Islamic faith, and the tender age of five when the second Crusade happened. All his life, he wished to unify the Islamic world, and to take Jerusalem from the Crusaders. In contrast, Richard I of England was born in Oxford on September 8, 1157 (Cantor 372-373). Richard came from a deeply religious family; his father had in part funded the Crusades, and his mother had trekked the Second Crusade, along with her son (Nicholson and Nicolle 62). Clearly, Richard himself was fascinated---driven---as influenced by his faith, to take Jerusalem. The stout-hearted monarch, who was a devout Catholic Christian, sold many of his lands and lordships in order to go on crusade. After Saladin's defeat of the Crusaders at the Horns of Hattin, Richard was ready early on to take the Cross. On crusade, Richard was in love with Jerusalem, and believed that by conquering it, God would be pleased (Regan 24). Lion-hearted Richard was deeply concerned with protecting Christendom all of his life (Regan 25). Even after the Crusade, he still desired to take Jerusalem someday, and after being imprisoned by the Holy Roman Emperor, Richard was cited by the Pope, who excommunicated the emperor for imprisoning him after his service to the Church (The Third Crusade). Richard was clearly deeply pious, and until Jerusalem was liberated for Christian pilgrims' visitation in September 1192, it greatly bothered him that the city was dominated by Muslim control. Even his later wars with Philip Augustus in France was greatly concerned with raising money for the Crusade. Though Saladin was greatly committed to Islam, Richard's dedication was greater, as it was to Christ.
Saladin did well early on in strategizing for his conquest of Jerusalem. Consideration between he and Richard, though, Richard had planned the Third Crusade supremely. Saladin had not strongly prepared as was potentially within his power for a crusader-invasion of Palestine. Saladin's men were not professional soldiers, and were not paid for their service (Phillips 201). Richard, however, led an army of knights and foot-soldiers, well-armored and paid. Many of them, too, were professional fighters. Richard's army was significantly smaller than Saladin's, yet more professionally equipped. Richard left England to prepare his forces in France in 1189. By July 1190, he had wasted no time in setting out to the Holy Land. On his way, he stopped to free his sister, Princess Joan, from imprisonment, to free her again; accompanying her in this gallant rescue was his soon-to-be-fiancee, Princess Berengaria of Navarre, from the Greek lord of the island, Isaac, who had abandoned the ladies to exile on the island shore (Phillips, 220-221). In addition to this ambitious quest, Richard had to face off Muslim pirate foes on his way to Acre, but promptly defeated them (Jessop, "Richard" 16-17). Shortly thereafter, he became the leader of the Crusade as Emperor Frederick Barbarossa died on route to the Holy Land, and King Philip Augustus of France returned home after quarreling with Richard.
Saladin and Richard both left a heavy mark of chivalry, resonating a positive affect on people, friend and foe alike. Saladin did not kill all the Christians when Jerusalem surrendered to him in 1187, though he sent them out to slavery (Edbury 108-109). Moreover, Saladin often sent Richard ice and fruit when the English king was ill. Richard, likewise, did not slay civilians as former crusaders had done, and even let some Saracen prisoners free at his siege of Darum in 1192 (Gillingham 192). Both Saladin and Richard had mutual respect for one another, despite their opposing position on the battlefield.
As to chivalry, Richard strongly desired to protect Christian pilgrims---perhaps most emphatically, the female pilgrims in his life; for the most part, Richard had spent very little time around women, though historically and plainly adored by his mother. Richard married Berengaria of Navarre at Cyprus in May, 1191---a princess that had been brought to him for marriage by Eleanor (Asbridge 217). It is often assumed that because Richard spent so much time in war, he didn't love his wife, although nothing from contemporary sources implies this. Richard loved poetry and music, and while Saladin was very chivalrous, Richard's deeds of chivalry were superior (Phillips 231).
Saladin was an amazing war-lord that etched a strong Ayyubid Dynasty into the history of the Middle East. From 1174 to 1185, he conquered much of the East, including the powerful cities of Damascus and Allepo. Saladin most famously defeated the Crusader army of King Guy de Lusignan on July 4, 1187, and later that year, additionally took Jerusalem (Jessop 12 "Crusaders"). No Saracen warlord had accomplished the conquest that Saladin achieved, and all future Saracen warlords would build upon his shoulders. At the same time, Richard was an amazing warlord. He had won the name Lion-Heart early on for his heroic deeds. Richard commenced this lifetime reputation upon defeated his father, Henry II, for the throne of England. Richard never lost a single battle, and every siege he attempted, he succeeded at. Even when caught unawares by enemies in Sicily and Cyprus during the Third Crusade, he quickly formulated a plan. Arriving at the Port of Acre on June 8, 1191, which had been under siege for two years, he took the city by July 12 (Gillingham 172-173). After Acre, Richard marched south to Jaffa and defeated the Saracen army on September 7, 1191 at the Battle of Arsuf, where he was outnumbered three to one by Saladin's army (Gillingham 214-215). He won a string of more victories on his way to Jerusalem. He he defeated Saladin again in the Battle of Ascallon in April 1192; by May, he had taken the Fortress of Ed-Darun (Edbury 108). Richard marched towards Jerusalem again that July, but then pulled out to sail home. Remarkably prompt, Richard heard news of Saladin's attacking the City of Jaffa just as he was having his fleets prepared at the Port of Acre. Richard quickly sailed to the city with 2,000 crossbow men, and only fifty knights, in contrast to Saladin's 12,000 army at Jaffa (Hilliam 34). As the rest of his army fought the Saracens at Caesarea, Richard rushed through the water to the beaches of Jaffa and fought through the city until he reclaimed it. By August 5, Saladin and his men had returned to take the city, but Richard rode out to them with his men and frightened them away (Hilliam 34-35). By September, Saladin gave the Christian pilgrims entrance to the holy city of Jerusalem by way of a treaty extending three years. Richard ultimately had more competition throughout his conquests than Saladin, who fought generals, not of the greatest strategic minds. In contrast, Richard had to face the greatest foe of his day: and defeated him.
Few kings seem to be remembered for their personal fighting on the battlefield like Richard I. Though Saladin was a great strategist like Richard, unlike Richard, he did not fight on foot so often as the Lion heart. Richard fought on foot in his battles with the crusaders, killing many by the sword at Acre and Jaffa. Contemporary sources record Richard often killing 10-30 men in these battles. Legends often portray him as slaying lions, boars, and dragons. While the legends may not be true, they do represent his known courage among the common folk, with whom he spent more time than nobility.
Both Saladin and Richard were greatly respected by their men, yet both had many enemies in their day. Although throughout some periods, especially during the Third Crusade, the Saracens were upset with Saladin, he nevertheless was loved for the most part by his men. Saladin grew the Ayyubid army stronger than it had ever been. He conquered all of the crusader cities in Outremer except for Tyre and a few small castles. Saladin's achievement were politically strengthened by his relation to the unification of Arab warlords from all over the East (Edbury 107). On the other end, Richard was loved as well by his men, and except for the French, pretty well united the whole Crusader army. Leopold of Austria would be the only other exception. Leopold, who had been on Crusade with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1190, took over the German Crusade after Barbarossa won the Battle of Konya in Turkey, but shortly thereafter fell off a horse and drowned in the Catacaucus River (Loud 129-130). Barbarossa's son, Frederick of Swabia, also quickly died, and Leopold took over the German Crusade (Hitchcock 151). Leopold was quick to resign after Richard refused punishment to English soldiers for throwing the German banner into a pit outside Acre, since the German had not helped in the siege. Richard did, however, work well with his French nephew, Henry of Champagne and greatly aided in his campaigns by King Guy de Lusignon of Jerusalem. Guy has often been blamed for the Fall of Jerusalem to the Saracens, yet Richard gave Cyprus to Guy to reign over after the Templars gave it up from rebellion by the Greeks . In early 1192, the Kingdom of Jerusalem removed Guy as King, and replaced him with Lord Marquis Conrad. Conrad, who sided with Richard's enemies, Hugh of Burgundy and the French, were assassinated one night in the city of Tyre. Richard was blamed for the murder, and many of his enemies, including Philip of France, used it against him. When Richard was imprisoned in Germany later, however, it was revealed by letter from an old man of the mountain, a sorcerer of the East, that he had actually killed Conrad, proving Richard's innocence (Lamb 568). After Conrad's death, Richard helped his nephew, Henry of Champagne, gain the throne and to marry Isabella of Jerusalem, former widow of the Marquis. Richard's good relations with the Church in addition, helped him out later on when the Pope took his side when he was in prison. Richard's loyalty was strong among his subjects, and according to legend, Blondel the Minstrel went looking for the cell of the king as Robin Hood and his merry man raised money to pay the king's 100,000 silver-coin ransom. It is clear that despite foes in abundance, Richard proved genuine consideration for all people, and that that consideration in turn often served him in his most dire need.
While Saladin did have the loyalty of his brother Aladil and some others, Richard seemed to own a much better group of companions than Saladin. Richard was almost killed in a battle by Sir William Marshall, who at the time was on the side of his father; Marshall spared the Lionheart's life, and went on to serve him in his later years as the most famous knight of the Middle Ages (McLynn 150). Richard was strongly loyal to Christendom, but was friendlier to Jews than most contemporaries at the time. Defying expectations at the time, some Jews respectfully showed up at Richard's to bring gifts; when many English went on to persecute them, the king put an end to it, and locked the persecutors away.
Richard also revealed political, in addition, to personal, generosity in his lifetime. He sold Scotland their freedom, and, having an ancestor in Queen Matilda of Scotland, was friends with King William the Lion of Scotland, who helped Richard against the rebellion in England in 1194. Richard was friends, too, with the French lords Philip of France and Hugh of Burgundy, though this did not last on the part of the latter companions. Besides Richard's relatives and the leaders of the Third Crusade, perhaps Richard's greatest loyalty among his friends is evidenced by his knights, Peter and William de Preaux. Peter was a strong supporter of Richard all of his life, and very pious. He fought alongside the King in the Third Crusade, especially at the Battle of Jaffa, and in the waters off-shore (Lamb 140). William disguised himself as the king one night on a hunting trip in the summer of 1191 so that the Saracens would capture his life instead; consequently, he was held in prison for a year until finally ransomed at the end of the crusade. Peter, who later assisted Prince John after Richard's death, did many heroic deeds not mentioned in detail in this paper. He was the royal standard bearer of the King in the Third Crusade, and because Richard would not enter Jerusalem if he could not take it, he sent Peter ahead, along with Andrew de Chavigny, William de Roches, and Gerard de Fournival, to lead the pilgrims in seizing it in September 1192. Richard was also friend with Archbishop Hubert Walter, an Walter's support for Richard no doubt played a role in the support of papacy to the English king.
Saladin's best help in his family was Aladil who took over after his death. Nevertheless, the rest of his family didn't really benefit him politically. Richard on the other hand made a smart move in marrying Princess Berengaria, not just because she was considered one of the most beautiful princesses in Europe, but because she helped him politically for the rest of his life. She wrote letters, for example, to many, for the help of her husband when he was imprisoned. After Richard's death, she became a nun (Gillingham 297). On the flip-side, Richard did have one greater enemy in his family than any foes of Saladin's: his own brother, John. Despite this fact, Richard's family ended politically better than Saladin's, with long-standing.
Both Saladin and Richard had somewhat tragic deaths, though Richard's was more exciting and climactic. Richard swore a oath that he would be in the Holy Land until Easter of 1193, though he had left the previous October. Interestingly enough, Saladin died March of 1193, just two weeks before Richard's sworn date. After Saladin's death, the whole Muslim world lost much of its power as it fell into division. Had Richard stayed, he would certainly have taken Jerusalem; nevertheless, he returned to England for problems arising at home. In March 1193, Saladin died of yellow fever. In turn, Richard experienced many difficulties on his return home. He and forty of his men sailed on one ship up to Vienna; along the way, his ship was destroyed, and they were captured by pirates. The pirates freed them, however, upon discovering that the Lionheart was among their company. Richard and his men were subsequently captured by German soldiers of Leopold of Austria, and put in Leopold's Castle. Richard awaited freedom until England paid his ransom (McLynn 274). Richard finally left Germany and arrived in England in mid 1194. As he arrived, he had to put down a rebellion of his brother Prince John, with help from Scotland. Richard was barely in England in time enough to fight Philip in France for the next five years, with hardly a space of peace within these campaigns. Shortly before, Pope Innocent III had called for a new Crusade. Richard wanted to return to the Holy Land as a Crusader and take back Jerusalem; unfortunately, he became hasty. Richard had caught word of a treasury in the Castle of Chalus; the Treasury that was believed to be there was also believed to constitute enough of the remaining money needed to finance a new crusade. Unfortunately, there existed no such treasure there, a fact unbeknownst to Richard. In early 1199, Richard was seizing the Castle (Mc Lynn 275-277).
One day, Richard went riding down by the mostly unguarded side of the walls to inspect it, fore-siege. It was not simply guarded, and Richard, unaware, wore no armor. A crossbow men shot Richard in the left side of his neck. Days later, Richard died on April 6, 1199, in his mother's arms. Shortly before his death, his piety grew, and Richard decided to be a crusader again; this was ultimately among his last dreams. England greatly weakened after Richard's death for the next decade, and the French reclaimed all their territories. Richard did not fail, however. His nephew, Henry III, son of John, who became king after his father's death, succeeding in driving the French out of England in 1217 (McLynn 278).
Both Richard and Saladin greatly changed history, and the world of their times. Saladin's achievements may be compared to former warlords of the East, such as Hammurabi, Nebuchadnezzar, and Muhammad. His generous providence in dealing with his enemies leaves his image in the West as chivalrous foe. Richard the Lionheart's achievements can be, in retrospect, compared to the successes of Western conquerors like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, King Arthur, Charlemagne, and Crusader Godfrey de Bouillon. Richard's courage in battle is still talked about in the present day, historically painting him the most famous king in England. Richard's life has inspired great legends of adventure, romance, and chivalry, based on, or associated with, his character. Many historians through the years have praised his influence, for he was more than a king. He was an adevntutrer, the pious knight that fought beside his own men, and a pious crusader. As one said, Saladin was the Arab world's greatest champion, and Richard the Lionheart, Christendom's greatest warrior (Walker). Though neither Richard nor Saladin conquered to the extent of Genghis Khan, Caesar, or Alexander, they also faced greater opposition than any conquerors after them: each other. From a young age until their death, both were ready to take on the world for their faith, and what they believed in. Saladin's body was buried in the Umayyah Mosque in Damascus and Richard's was buried in Fontevraud Abbey, France; their inspiration continue to affect the world today. Saddam Hussein, born in the same city as Saladin, compared himself to the Saracen warlord, accusing President George W. Bush for acting like the Lionheart for his "crusade," as Bush called it, against Islam. A statue of was erected in 1993 in Damascus outside the citadel. A statue of Richard I, too, was completed in 1867, and stands outside of Parliament, showing that the Lion lives on with his country. Nineteenth century Baptist minister Charles Spurgeon, when talking about how one should preach, said that it should be as sharp as Saladin's sword, and as hard as Richard the Lionheart's ax. Though both men were from different regions, both had different faiths. One Islamic, another Catholic Christian. Despite such schismatic differences, both impacted each other, with Richard's influence prevailing in time, space, and age.
Works Cited:
Author Unknown. The Third Crusade: An Eyewitness Account of the Campaigns of Richard Coeur-de-Lion in Cyrus and the Holy Land. New York: Philip C. Duschness. 1958.
Asbridge, Thomas. The Crusades: The Authoritative History of the War for the Holy Land. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 2010.
Cantor, F. Norman. The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. New York: Penguin Books. 1999.
Churchill, Winston. The Birth of Britain: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, Volume I. New York: Barnes and Noble. 1956
Crompton, Samuel Willard. Third Crusade. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. 2004.
Edbury, Peter W. The Conquest of Jerusalem and the Third Crusade. Great Britain: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2002
Gillingham, John. Richard I. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 1999
Gillingham, John. Richard the Lionheart. New York: Times Books Publishers. 1978
Hilliam, David. Richard the Lionheart and the Third Crusade. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. 2004
Hitchcock, James. The History of the Catholic Church. San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 2012
Jessop, Joanne. Crusaders. East Essex: Wayland Publishers. 1989
Jessop, Joanne. Richard the Lionhearted. New York: The Bookwright Press. 1989
Lamb, Harold. The Crusades. New York City: Bantam Book. 1930.
Loud, G. A. The Crusade of Frederick Barbarossa: The History of the Expedition of the Emperor Frederick and Related Texts. University of Leeds: Ashgate Publishing Company. 2013
McLynn, Frank. Richard and John: Kings at War. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press. 2007
Nicholson, Helen and Nicolle, David. God's Warriors: Crusaders, Saracens and the Battle for Jerusalem. New York: Osprey Publishing. 2005.
Phillips, Charles. Knights and Crusaders. Anness House Publishing. 2013
Regan, Geoffrey. Lionhearts. New York: Walker and Company. 1998
Spurgeon, Charles. Quotes. Good Reads. http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon. 1 July 2016
Walker, Paul. Saladin. History World. http://history-world.org/saladin.htm. 1 July 2016
Friday, October 14, 2016
Quotes on the Poor in Spirit
''Humility is letting others gain the spotlight before you. Humility is not desiring man's praise. Humility is desiring God to have all the glory. Humility is thinking of others, and their desires before you. Lord give me a spirit of humility.''
-Joshua Dotson
''Many of us may easily think the greatest Christian is the one who knows the most, but how about the one who gives the most? To take in knowledge is a gift, but to give to others, to be Charitable, Loving, Kind, and Gracious to all, how much greater even is this. In the end, on Judgement, we shall be judged more by our actions than what we know to be true.''
-Joshua Dotson
'' There is more love in the simple words of Jesus to his earth mother, than in many of the brightest theologians.''
-Joshua Dotson
''Going to church without truly loving Christ in your heart won't avail you anything in heaven. Many times, the simple, love Christ more, because religion to them is Jesus, not just their understanding of it. Lord help us love you with simplicity as a child yet comprehending as best we can, those mysteries of You, that want us to understand by your Divine Revelation.''
-Joshua Dotson
'' I have a personal relationship with Christ. If religion to you, just means where you go to church, have a very bad view of it. True religion is not something theological we believe, but how respond to the calls in our life from our Lord Christ Jesus.''
-Joshua Dotson
'' It is a very good thing to grasp theology, it is a better thing, to understand it, it is the greatest thing to apply it to your life, in how you can love Christ more.''
-Joshua Dotson
-Joshua Dotson
''Many of us may easily think the greatest Christian is the one who knows the most, but how about the one who gives the most? To take in knowledge is a gift, but to give to others, to be Charitable, Loving, Kind, and Gracious to all, how much greater even is this. In the end, on Judgement, we shall be judged more by our actions than what we know to be true.''
-Joshua Dotson
'' There is more love in the simple words of Jesus to his earth mother, than in many of the brightest theologians.''
-Joshua Dotson
''Going to church without truly loving Christ in your heart won't avail you anything in heaven. Many times, the simple, love Christ more, because religion to them is Jesus, not just their understanding of it. Lord help us love you with simplicity as a child yet comprehending as best we can, those mysteries of You, that want us to understand by your Divine Revelation.''
-Joshua Dotson
'' I have a personal relationship with Christ. If religion to you, just means where you go to church, have a very bad view of it. True religion is not something theological we believe, but how respond to the calls in our life from our Lord Christ Jesus.''
-Joshua Dotson
'' It is a very good thing to grasp theology, it is a better thing, to understand it, it is the greatest thing to apply it to your life, in how you can love Christ more.''
-Joshua Dotson
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Passage to Kings and Crusaders
A New Excerpt.
Beside the Walls of Acre
The French Marshall named Sir Aubery Clements rallied up his men saying, ''Today we fight for France! Today we fight for Christendom and Acre! Today is the day we shall conquer.'' He saw the crusader ladders being placed on the walls. ''Before I climb up this ladder,'' he said, ''God shall give us victory.'' He paused, and spoke again. ''Either I shall die today,or God willing, I will enter Acre." The ladder went up, and he swallowed as he climbed;his foot stumbled, but he remembered that Godfrey's men had done the same, except for the fact that they had climbed up Jerusalem, not Acre. He was half way up the ladder when he saw burning oil from the walls above fall upon the men below him. His sword was in his scabbard, and his shield was tied to his back so that both his hands were on the ladder. A Saracen arrow came, and knocked his helmet off, but he continued climbing. He was now at the top of the ladder, but many crusaders below him were anxious to climb, and so the ladder began to shake. It collapsed, but Aubery leaped off it onto the wall where he pulled himself up. He came face to face with Saracens, where he found that he was alone. He raised his banner. ''For the cross against the Crescent!'' He yelled. Suddenly, a Saracen arrow pierced him in the heart, thus sending him to the ground. He arose, slaying some Saracens, but another arrow came and hit and pierced his side. He remembered the song his mother often sang to him:
"Knight of valor fight for their King,
they are loyal to Him and not to treason,
that is why they slay the heathen!"
He saw an African with a scarred face, and with rotten teeth come forward slowly with a hatchet toward him. The hatchet came down, and was hitting Aubery's stomach, and thus his spirit left him, though he felt little pain.
From Kings and Crusaders, Part Two, Chapter Twelve: "The Wall Is Breached."
Beside the Walls of Acre
The French Marshall named Sir Aubery Clements rallied up his men saying, ''Today we fight for France! Today we fight for Christendom and Acre! Today is the day we shall conquer.'' He saw the crusader ladders being placed on the walls. ''Before I climb up this ladder,'' he said, ''God shall give us victory.'' He paused, and spoke again. ''Either I shall die today,or God willing, I will enter Acre." The ladder went up, and he swallowed as he climbed;his foot stumbled, but he remembered that Godfrey's men had done the same, except for the fact that they had climbed up Jerusalem, not Acre. He was half way up the ladder when he saw burning oil from the walls above fall upon the men below him. His sword was in his scabbard, and his shield was tied to his back so that both his hands were on the ladder. A Saracen arrow came, and knocked his helmet off, but he continued climbing. He was now at the top of the ladder, but many crusaders below him were anxious to climb, and so the ladder began to shake. It collapsed, but Aubery leaped off it onto the wall where he pulled himself up. He came face to face with Saracens, where he found that he was alone. He raised his banner. ''For the cross against the Crescent!'' He yelled. Suddenly, a Saracen arrow pierced him in the heart, thus sending him to the ground. He arose, slaying some Saracens, but another arrow came and hit and pierced his side. He remembered the song his mother often sang to him:
"Knight of valor fight for their King,
they are loyal to Him and not to treason,
that is why they slay the heathen!"
He saw an African with a scarred face, and with rotten teeth come forward slowly with a hatchet toward him. The hatchet came down, and was hitting Aubery's stomach, and thus his spirit left him, though he felt little pain.
From Kings and Crusaders, Part Two, Chapter Twelve: "The Wall Is Breached."
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
825th anniversary of Arsuf
On this day, 825 years ago, was the great triumphant Battle of Arsus on September 7, 1191. Richard the Lionheart's Crusader forces were outnumbered by Saladin's, 3 to 1, yet the English and French and Military orders did not given in. When they were being rained down by arrows from the Saracens, Richard held tight formation, until unexpextedadly, Garnier de Nablus, the Grand Master of the Hospitalilers led a successful charge against the enemy, and the crusaders then followed with a great charge that broke their forces in two. The battle is told in full story with it's climatic history and sheer shiver enticement in Joshua's second book, The Journey to Jerusalem. As you remember the battle today, remember the Lionheart, but also those whom gave their lives for the Cross of Christ.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Mythology and Medieval Myth
The Tojan War has gained much attention over the years, and I myself am a long time fan of the Siege of Troy, and very familiar with it's stories. But even for those of you who are not, who hasn't heard of the Trojan horse and it's secret attack on Troy? Or for that matter, who hasn't heard of the duel between Achilles and Troy? Or the love affair of Priam and Helen? However, what is lesser well known is the heavy influence of these stories in the Medieval mind. Much Medieval art depicts Greek soldiers in Medieval Armour, and people in Medieval times, in fact thought they were descendants of characters from the stories.
But what most people do not realize is the strong connection between The Trojan War and the Crusades. Both were wars in which western armies invaded eastern lands, both were heavily fought around beaches, both were greatly made up of sieges, and both have their stories of cruelty and chivalry.
The Greek myths no doubt have inspired many religions and other stories, but people in Medieval times took ideas from the Greeks and Christianized them. Augustine did this with Plato. Aquinas did it with Aristotle. Other Christians have done it with the Greek myths. For since the time of at last the 4th century, Christians have believed that taking dominion is important, and that our world is full of many beauties and gifts that can be used for Christ, even if once by pagans. Christians have done this with Christmas and Easter both, and other days once celebrated by pagans. Just as the Hebrews took dominion over pagan lands and used them for their people, so we as Christians should be able to take over the arts and literature and put it forward for Christ. For there are many things in the world like Greek Philosophy and Myths that we may use as Christians, and put towards the glory of Christ.
Whether or not people of Medieval Times were descendants from the Trojan myths, I leave to debate. But let me say this, and that is, that there are more truth in many myths and legends than is always admitted.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
What off Writing Time is like
I'm sure some wonder what I do, when I don't write my books. Well, a lot of things, like play chess, read comics, and have History/ Theology discussions. But besides all of this, there are many other things I do including watching Disney's DuckTales.
I have watched the first three seasons of Duck tales and Re-watched them over the past, four years. Duck Tales has been both an inspiration to my work and a fun relaxing time for me when I'm not doing heavy work. The series has is one of my favorite's, and because of my likening of Donald's nephews, I'm sometimes called Dewey.
I use to think for many years that I was the only person whom actually took inspiration from Disney cartoons, but I was wrong. I took inspiration from The Brave Little tailor, about Mickey Mouse for Peter de Preaux in my series of Kings and Crusaders, probably for the fact that just as Mickey Mouse was the unlikely hero to kill a giant, Peter, was the unlikely hero to fight boldly behind Acre during. the 1191 siege. The humor of Walt Disney's cartoons also balanced my stomach and head from bad stress, when I have much work to do. Therefore, Disney cartoons were my evening watch, to balance my stress. In 2012, I wrote and concentrated on series stuff all the time, and by 2013, I could no longer handle it. After reading advice for writer's block on some websites that same year, I decided to write my stories early in the day, and watch cartoons in the later part of the day. Thus my day was balanced, and I began writing much easier as I was no longer under so much stress. Writing in 2013, became very enjoyable to me, in some ways more than the last year, and ever since this has been my habit. Some cartoons were too stressful, while others were more stupid with no plot. Duck Tales made the good balance, by having good stories and characters, while being relaxing and fun.
Watching series films in the evening most of the time for example, was too serious for me to handle after spending hours and hours on writing, research, and contemplating my story throughout the day, as well as finishing up school and getting my exercise in. Cartoons, particularly Disney's, were the good balance for the evenings. Huey, Dewey, and Louie with their uncle Scrooge, and cousin Webbigail, along with Launchpad Mcquack and Doofus, with their adventures and events in their lives, I watched with my sister Ashley every week. Me and my sister Ashley have many memoirs of Watching Duck Tales in the morning and midday.
I have advice here for my friend writers, when writing, relax, do things to make you relax, never rush your story, give it all the time you need, and feel your day with lovable and calm and fun things, so that when you write, you have lot's of energy and strength to to put towards it, and never, never, let anyone put your noble work down, as the greatest before you have faced criticism, and handwork to get to the legends that many of them are now. Remember let your work be a masterpiece, as it will be the part of you that lives on to the next generations.
Writing is a habit, it requires skill and work, but above all enthusiasm and perseverance, for these will be what keep you going. Our Heavenly Father is the Creator and first artists. Let us make use of his great Creation to make stories and enjoy them.
As I said, I thought I was the only one whom took from Disney like that, to take inspirational ideas from it and write, but I'm not the only one. Two Disney Duck stories inspired the classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark and it's opening sequence: "The Seven Cities of Cibola"and "The Prize of Pizarro". So even, Disney stories with Donald Duck, can inspire great classics. In my case, Duck Tales and other cartoons were an inspiration to me. By evaluating the cartoons stories, and taking their simple ideas into bigger ones, one can truly began writing some good classics.
Friday, August 5, 2016
The Later Life and Faith of Joshua Dotson 2007-2010
The first post about briefing over my life may be found by going to the search bar at the top left of the screen and typing in this title: The early life and faith of Joshua Dotson, which overviews a few things about from 1996 to 2007.
Around 2007, under heavy influence from C. S. Lewis's writings and a desire to be like him and make a world like he did of Narnia, I decided to become a writer. I was eleven. During the period of the next three years I wrote many stories that were never finished.
My work major work was The Robbit, a story imitating The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien with a good amount of humor. The work was about a hundred pages long, being written from around Summer 2008 to I believe, Summer 2011. The majority of the story I think was finished in 2009. I greatly delayed on it's ending, writing other stories and so it wasn't finished until 2011 completely. The Robbit had been written under my inspiration of my two best friends, Seth and Samuel Shiply, whom made movies, and wanted me to write a new story for their upcoming film.
During 2007-2010 I began a host of other stories including comics and sci-fi and fantasy, and action/adventure, and historical fiction.
A change in my writing career was when I read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. I always loved history, but the book changed many of my interest in writing from fantasy to real life events. The Killer Angels has since, continued to be an inspiration to all my writings.
I attempted on writing American Civil War stories, American Revolution, and World War II. Though I loved the civil War the best, most of my friends also knew it the best, and I wanted to tell a story they didn't as well.
I wrote a book called The Killer Fighters about the Normandy Invasion and D-Day from Summer 2009 to October 2010. It was clearly my longest work. It was about 400 pages hand written. The story also had a lot of backup research and was my first book that I seriously did historical research for. I used books at the library for example. It was a good story one of, or my first, really serious story.
Around 2007, under heavy influence from C. S. Lewis's writings and a desire to be like him and make a world like he did of Narnia, I decided to become a writer. I was eleven. During the period of the next three years I wrote many stories that were never finished.
My work major work was The Robbit, a story imitating The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien with a good amount of humor. The work was about a hundred pages long, being written from around Summer 2008 to I believe, Summer 2011. The majority of the story I think was finished in 2009. I greatly delayed on it's ending, writing other stories and so it wasn't finished until 2011 completely. The Robbit had been written under my inspiration of my two best friends, Seth and Samuel Shiply, whom made movies, and wanted me to write a new story for their upcoming film.
During 2007-2010 I began a host of other stories including comics and sci-fi and fantasy, and action/adventure, and historical fiction.
A change in my writing career was when I read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. I always loved history, but the book changed many of my interest in writing from fantasy to real life events. The Killer Angels has since, continued to be an inspiration to all my writings.
I attempted on writing American Civil War stories, American Revolution, and World War II. Though I loved the civil War the best, most of my friends also knew it the best, and I wanted to tell a story they didn't as well.
I wrote a book called The Killer Fighters about the Normandy Invasion and D-Day from Summer 2009 to October 2010. It was clearly my longest work. It was about 400 pages hand written. The story also had a lot of backup research and was my first book that I seriously did historical research for. I used books at the library for example. It was a good story one of, or my first, really serious story.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Kings and Crusaders Series by Joshua Dotson-Plot to all Eight Books
Here I have decided to briefly outline what each book is about.
Book I. -The War for the Holy City
This novel is about Saladin's Conquest of the Holy Land, the Battle of Hattin, and the coming Third Crusade. King Baldwin IV f Jerusalem dies of leprosy and King Guy de Lusignan is miserably defeated by a terrible loss for the Crusader kingdoms. Pope Gregory VIII calls for a new Crusade. Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa leads a crusade also but dies on the way. In this novel Richard the Lionheart set sails for the port of Acre to join the siege, and along the way he faces enemies in Sicily and Cyprus primarily. Richard meets and marries his fiancee, Berengaria of Navarre, and arrives at the port of Acre in June 1191 to join the siege with Philip Augustas.
Book II. The Journey to Jerusalem
The second book of the series is about The Crusaders as they put siege on the port of Acre and take the city. King Philip leaves the Crusade to return home after quarrels with Richard, as does Duke Leopold of Austria. The novel continues with the battle of Arsuf and as the crusaders take the long march towards the city of David. Grand Master Garnier de Nablus is cautioned with an assault on the city while Duke Hugh of Burgundy pushes for it. Sir Peter de Preaux and his brother William plays a prominent role in the Siege of Acre. King Guy de Lusignan loses more and more popularity. This is the first novel about the campaign for the Holy Land between Richard and Saladin. Many minor battles are fought around Beit Nuba and Jaffa.
Book III. The Storming Rage
The Crusaders began to divide more and amongst themselves and feeling he cannot take Jerusalem, Richard withdraws to Ascalon in early 1192. A battle there soon follows there as the Latin army defeats the Saracens. Richard and the French forces separate. The Crusaders fight amongst themselves. King Guy de Lusignan is removed as king and Lord Marquis Conrad temporarily holds the thrown until his mysterious assassination. The divide between the Crusaders is mostly healed as Henry of Champagne gains the throne and the Kingdom of Acre is set. Richard decides to move towards Egypt in a plan to cut off Muslim supply lines and still gain Jerusalem for Christians. The Siege of Darum then follows.
Book IV. The Final Journey
The fourth book of the series is about the crusaders abandonment from the Egyptian Campaign and second march towards Jerusalem. It is the last part of The Third Crusade Series and is the climax of the story as Richard and Saladin face off the bloody and enlightening surprises by the events. The main focus of the story, which takes up about half of the book is the Battle of Jaffa in July-August 1192. The story ends with Peter de Preaux's pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the treaty of Jaffa, as well as the reconciliation of William de Preaux.
Book V. The Return of the Heroes
The first novel of the series not focused about The third Crusade is now centered around the returning journey of Richard the Lionheart to his country. Saladin dies early on. At home, Prince John is trying to seize the throne for himself, and faces resistance from those loyal to the king, including Sir William Marshall and the famous outlaw, Robin Hood. Sir Peter de Preaux returns to France to fight on the loyalist side to the king. Richard faces pirates along his way home and imprisoned in Germany by Leopold of Austria and not set free from his cell until 150,000 marks are payed by the English for his ransom. He returns to England in Mid 1194, and takes his rightful throne back, defeats the rebels in Nottingham by help of the Scottish, and restores England. He then set sail for France, to avenge Philip Augustas whom has seized his lands in Normandy.
Book VI. Crusade to the South
Richard and Philip now face off a war in France as The French lose brutally to the English at the battle of Angouleme and other battles. John still plans to get the throne for himself as Peter de Preaux faces many traitors to the English side, and Robin Hood again fights an old enemy in northern England. Al Adil strugles to restore the divided Ayyubid world after Saladin's death. New characters are brought into this story, as the series begans shifting more and more from the Holy Land to focus on France and England. The novel sets the stage for later, more major events.
Book VII. The Lionheart Trap
This is the last book of King Richard the Lionhearted of England. This book covers the war in France from 1196-1212, as it ends with the reign of Richard I and begans the reign of his wicked brother, Prince John. This novel is about how England lost it's power from France in the late 12th century and how Philip regained the lands of Normandy. Most pivotal to this novel is the death of Richard I. The response is the darkest novel of the series as John ascends to the throne. I have just begun this novel, and so I know not yet what all will be in it. Meanwhile, Peter de Preaux loses friends to join Philip of France while some stay to fight for John against the French. Peter turns out siding with England.
Book VIII.
The last book of the series is the only one that does not have Richard I. Hardly any of the original characters are in this book as it is set over a decade after Richard's death. The novel follows now King John of England, King Philip Augustas of France, Sir William de Preaux, Sir William Marshall, Prince Henry III of England, and former Queen Berengaria of England. As Philip invades England, the English are losing the war and John does not submit to the decisions of the English lords, until the barons force him to write a document called the Magna Charta which weakens the authority of the king. This novel is about how John died and lost his power to his more noble son, Henry III, whom becomes the next king, and leads the English forces to drive The French out of the country, as Prince Loius VII returns to France by defeat. England is restored by victory as better days are ahead under the new king. I have not began this novel yet and have decided not yet to title it as I wish to keep that as a surprise later. I have also not give it an image for it as a cover for the same reason. This last book is part of the series but kind-ave a stand alone novel as most of the characters in it are completely new. It is the last book of the Kings and Crusaders Series.
Book I. -The War for the Holy City
This novel is about Saladin's Conquest of the Holy Land, the Battle of Hattin, and the coming Third Crusade. King Baldwin IV f Jerusalem dies of leprosy and King Guy de Lusignan is miserably defeated by a terrible loss for the Crusader kingdoms. Pope Gregory VIII calls for a new Crusade. Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa leads a crusade also but dies on the way. In this novel Richard the Lionheart set sails for the port of Acre to join the siege, and along the way he faces enemies in Sicily and Cyprus primarily. Richard meets and marries his fiancee, Berengaria of Navarre, and arrives at the port of Acre in June 1191 to join the siege with Philip Augustas.
Book II. The Journey to Jerusalem
The second book of the series is about The Crusaders as they put siege on the port of Acre and take the city. King Philip leaves the Crusade to return home after quarrels with Richard, as does Duke Leopold of Austria. The novel continues with the battle of Arsuf and as the crusaders take the long march towards the city of David. Grand Master Garnier de Nablus is cautioned with an assault on the city while Duke Hugh of Burgundy pushes for it. Sir Peter de Preaux and his brother William plays a prominent role in the Siege of Acre. King Guy de Lusignan loses more and more popularity. This is the first novel about the campaign for the Holy Land between Richard and Saladin. Many minor battles are fought around Beit Nuba and Jaffa.
Book III. The Storming Rage
The Crusaders began to divide more and amongst themselves and feeling he cannot take Jerusalem, Richard withdraws to Ascalon in early 1192. A battle there soon follows there as the Latin army defeats the Saracens. Richard and the French forces separate. The Crusaders fight amongst themselves. King Guy de Lusignan is removed as king and Lord Marquis Conrad temporarily holds the thrown until his mysterious assassination. The divide between the Crusaders is mostly healed as Henry of Champagne gains the throne and the Kingdom of Acre is set. Richard decides to move towards Egypt in a plan to cut off Muslim supply lines and still gain Jerusalem for Christians. The Siege of Darum then follows.
Book IV. The Final Journey
The fourth book of the series is about the crusaders abandonment from the Egyptian Campaign and second march towards Jerusalem. It is the last part of The Third Crusade Series and is the climax of the story as Richard and Saladin face off the bloody and enlightening surprises by the events. The main focus of the story, which takes up about half of the book is the Battle of Jaffa in July-August 1192. The story ends with Peter de Preaux's pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the treaty of Jaffa, as well as the reconciliation of William de Preaux.
Book V. The Return of the Heroes
The first novel of the series not focused about The third Crusade is now centered around the returning journey of Richard the Lionheart to his country. Saladin dies early on. At home, Prince John is trying to seize the throne for himself, and faces resistance from those loyal to the king, including Sir William Marshall and the famous outlaw, Robin Hood. Sir Peter de Preaux returns to France to fight on the loyalist side to the king. Richard faces pirates along his way home and imprisoned in Germany by Leopold of Austria and not set free from his cell until 150,000 marks are payed by the English for his ransom. He returns to England in Mid 1194, and takes his rightful throne back, defeats the rebels in Nottingham by help of the Scottish, and restores England. He then set sail for France, to avenge Philip Augustas whom has seized his lands in Normandy.
Book VI. Crusade to the South
Richard and Philip now face off a war in France as The French lose brutally to the English at the battle of Angouleme and other battles. John still plans to get the throne for himself as Peter de Preaux faces many traitors to the English side, and Robin Hood again fights an old enemy in northern England. Al Adil strugles to restore the divided Ayyubid world after Saladin's death. New characters are brought into this story, as the series begans shifting more and more from the Holy Land to focus on France and England. The novel sets the stage for later, more major events.
Book VII. The Lionheart Trap
This is the last book of King Richard the Lionhearted of England. This book covers the war in France from 1196-1212, as it ends with the reign of Richard I and begans the reign of his wicked brother, Prince John. This novel is about how England lost it's power from France in the late 12th century and how Philip regained the lands of Normandy. Most pivotal to this novel is the death of Richard I. The response is the darkest novel of the series as John ascends to the throne. I have just begun this novel, and so I know not yet what all will be in it. Meanwhile, Peter de Preaux loses friends to join Philip of France while some stay to fight for John against the French. Peter turns out siding with England.
Book VIII.
The last book of the series is the only one that does not have Richard I. Hardly any of the original characters are in this book as it is set over a decade after Richard's death. The novel follows now King John of England, King Philip Augustas of France, Sir William de Preaux, Sir William Marshall, Prince Henry III of England, and former Queen Berengaria of England. As Philip invades England, the English are losing the war and John does not submit to the decisions of the English lords, until the barons force him to write a document called the Magna Charta which weakens the authority of the king. This novel is about how John died and lost his power to his more noble son, Henry III, whom becomes the next king, and leads the English forces to drive The French out of the country, as Prince Loius VII returns to France by defeat. England is restored by victory as better days are ahead under the new king. I have not began this novel yet and have decided not yet to title it as I wish to keep that as a surprise later. I have also not give it an image for it as a cover for the same reason. This last book is part of the series but kind-ave a stand alone novel as most of the characters in it are completely new. It is the last book of the Kings and Crusaders Series.
Friday, July 15, 2016
Finished Crusade to the South!
My latest book is finished, at an amount of over 700 pages. I have only two books of the series left to write now! Congragts to me! It was the first book of the series I have completed longer than the previous book.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Crusade to the South almost finished
The book will probably be completed in 1st draft this July. Stay tune for more news!
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Updated the name to my Series
My book series is now called Kings and Crusaders. This is the name of the first book in the series so I thought it was a fitting title. Thank you readers! God bless! This is my favorite series ever, it's been a blast to write and I appreciate your support!
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Update on my latest Book of my Crusade Series
My book Crusade to the South has been really fun to write about as it is centered about the war between England and France in 1194-1199 as Richard I and Philip Augustus go on a rival campaign for Paris, much like Richard's campaign against Saladin for Jerusalem. But my announcement for now is first two parts finished, two more to go! Expect 1st draft to be finished in May.
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