Publisher's Synopsis
Did you know that many medieval knights were actually monks?
Read the stories, histories, and legends of medieval knights and the groups to which they belonged. Some are more well known than others, although all of them played a role in history.
Delve into the stories of the Knights Hospitallers and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre as they waged war against infidels and pagans. Learn about the so-called "Leper Brothers" from the Order of St. Lazarus and why they were charged with caring for lepers at a time when they were feared and despised. Revel in the daring and courageous lives of the Teutonic Knights and the Knights Templar during the tumultuous centuries of the Crusades.
In these pages, you will be offered a brief glimpse into the daily lives and struggles of these knights as they served their king, pope, and liege lord, sacrificing much in the pursuit of the defense of Christendom, even to the point of being burned at the stake.
You might have heard about these medieval knights through novels and movies. However, the truth about the medieval knights is eye-opening, enthralling, and often filled with sadness and sacrifice. This book contains tales of courage, devotion, and loyalty. You can expect to learn about the following:
- The extraordinary Children's Crusade, which was led by a twelve-year-old boy
- The truth about the origins of the concept of chivalry
- How a brotherhood of monks devoted to providing care for the sick became fierce knights
- The lengths to which the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre went to protect the tomb of Christ
- The history of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, whose members were dedicated and brave enough to care for lepers at a time when they were shunned
- The rumors surrounding the influence of the Teutonic Knights on a conflict that would rip the world apart in the 20th century
- A glimpse into the life of the Knights Templar, whose order could be equated in modern terms as the special forces of their time
- And so much more!
