Onward Christian Soldiers

Last night PBS ran a show called Holy Warriors about Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and the Crusades.

“The Lionheart” is a pretty friggin’ cool nickname.

The Crusades took place in the 11th Century. Everyone wanted to get their paws on Jerusalem and (this is the tricky part) hold onto it. I think we’ve learned in the past 3 years that invasion is easy; it’s holding the darn fort that’s the problem.

We are now in the 21st Century. 2100 – 1100 = 1000 years. We’re still squabbling about this 1000 years later? One of these days I’m going to go to Jerusalem, just to see what all the fuss is about. But I’ll have to wait until it’s safe. I’m looking for a cheap flight sometime around the year 3000.

Richard the Lionheart died at the age of 42. He died of a crossbow wound. Which, I suppose, for a crusader is natural causes. I just read this description of his death:

“He spotted an archer with bow in hand on the wall aiming a shot at him. It is said Richard paused to applaud the Bowman. He was struck in the shoulder with the arrow and refused treatment for his wound.” *

What a maroon.

Why applaud the Bowman? Was he being snarky? So he died because he was a show-off? What did he think he was doing? What a dumb way to die.

*http://www.templarhistory.com/richard.html