Aveyron Magazine | Volume I | Issue 4

AVEYRON MAGAZINE

Issue 4 Templars in Aveyron | Chapter 2 Birds of Aveyron | Chapter 2

AVEYRON MAGAZINE

ART, HISTORY, HERITAGE, FOOD, WINE, ETC. published by Experience (my) France ÝCover photo: La Couvertoirade www.ExperienceMyFrance.com

The first of the Crusades began in 1095, when armies of Christians from Western Europe responded to Pope Urban II’s plea to go to war against Muslim forces in the Holy Land. After the First Crusade achieved its goal with the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, the invading Christians set up several Latin Christian states, even as Muslims in the region vowed to wage holy war (jihad) to regain control over the region. Deteriorating relations between the Crusaders and their Christian allies in the Byzantine Empire culminated in the sack of Constantinople in 1204 during the Third Crusade. Near the end of the 13th century, the rising Mamluk dynasty in Egypt provided the final reckoning for the Crusaders, toppling the coastal stronghold of Acre and driving the European invaders out of Palestine and Syria in 1291.

The crusades: background

By the end of the 11th century, Western Europe had emerged as a significant power in its own right, though it still lagged far other Mediterranean civilization such as that of the Byzantine Empire —formerly the eastern half of the Roman Empire— and the Islamic empire of the Middle East and North Africa. Meanwhile, Byzantium was losing considerable territory to the invading Seljuk Turks, who defeated the Byzantine Army at the battle of Manzikirt in 1071 and went on to gain control over much of Anatolia. After years of chaos and civil war, the general Alexius Comnenus seized the Byzantine throne in 1081 and consolidated control over the remaining empire as Emperor Alexius I.

Templars in Aveyron | Chapter 2 In 1095, Alexius sent envoys to Pope Urban II asking for mercenary troops from the West to help confront the Turkish threat. Though relations between Christians in East and West had long been fractious, Alexius’ request came at a time when the situation was improving. In November 1095, at the Council of Clermont in southern France, the pope called on Western Christians to take up arms in order to aid the Byzantines and recapture the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Pope Urban’s plea met with a tremendous response, both among lower levels of the military elite —who would form a new class of knights— as well as ordinary citizens; it was determined that those who joined the armed pilgrimage would wear a cross as a symbol of the Church.

The first crusade (1096-99)

The crusader states and the second crusade (1147-49)

Four armies of Crusaders were formed from troops of different Western European regions, led by Raymond de Saint-Gilles, Godefroy de Bouillon, Hugues de Vermandois and Bohémond de Tarante —with his nephew Tancred—; they were set to depart for Byzantium in August 1096. A less organized band of knights and commoners known as the ‘People’s Crusade’ set off before the others under the command of a popular preacher known as Pierre L’ermite. Pierre’s army traipsed through the Byzantine Empire, leaving destruction in their wake. Resisting Alexius’ advice to wait for the rest of the Crusaders, they crossed the Bosporus in early August. In the first major clash between the Crusaders and the Muslims, Turkish forces crushed the invading Europeans at Cibotus. Another group of Crusaders, led by the notorious Count Emich von Flonheim, carried out a series of massacres of Jews in various towns in the Rhineland in 1096, drawing widespread outrage and causing a major crisis in Jewish-Christian relations.

Having achieved their goal in an unexpectedly short period of time, many of the Crusaders departed for home. To govern the conquered territory, those who remained established four large western settlements, or Crusader states, in Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch and Tripoli.

Guarded by formidable castles, the Crusader states retained the upper hand in the region until around 1130, when Muslim forces began gaining ground in their own holy war —or jihad— against the Christians, whom they called “Franks”. In 1144, the Seljuk general Zangi, governor of Mosul, captured Edessa, leading to the loss of the northernmost Crusader state.

When the four main armies of Crusaders arrived in Constantinople, Alexius insisted that their leaders swear an oath of loyalty to him and recognize his authority over any land regained from the Turks, as well as any other territory they might conquer; all but Bohémond resisted taking the oath. In May 1097, the Crusaders and their Byzantine allies attacked Nicea — now Iznik, Turkey—, the Seljuk capital in Anatolia; the city surrendered in late June. Despite deteriorating relations between the Crusaders and Byzantine leaders, the combined force continued its march through Anatolia, capturing the great Syrian city of Antioch in June 1098. After various internal struggles over control of Antioch, the Crusaders began their march toward Jerusalem, then occupied by Egyptian Fatimids —who as Shi’ite Muslims were enemies of the Sunni Seljuks—. Encamping before Jerusalem in June 1099, the Christians forced the besieged city’s governor to surrender by mid-July. Despite Tancred’s promise of protection, the Crusaders slaughtered hundreds of men, women and children in their victorious entrance into the city.

News of Edessa’s fall stunned Europe, and led Christian authorities in the West to call for another Crusade. Led by two great rulers, King Louis VII de France and King Conrad III of Germany, the Second Crusade began in 1147. That October, the Turks crushed Conrad’s forces at Dorylaeum, site of a great victory during the First Crusade. After Louis and Conrad managed to assemble their armies at Jerusalem, they decided to attack the Syrian stronghold of Damascus with an army of some 50,000 —the largest Crusader force yet—. Previously well disposed towards the Franks, Damascus’ ruler was forced to call on Nur al-Din, Zangi’s successor in Mosul, for aid. The combined Muslim forces dealt a humiliating defeat to the Crusaders, decisively ending the Second Crusade; Nur al-Din would add Damascus to his expanding empire in 1154.

The third crusade (1189-92) After numerous attempts by the Crusaders of Jerusalem to capture Egypt, Nur al-Din’s forces —led by the general Shirkuh and his nephew, Saladin— seized Cairo in 1169 and forced the Crusader army to evacuate. Upon Shirkuh’s subsequent death, Saladin assumed control and began a campaign of conquests that accelerated after Nur al-Din’s death in 1174. In 1187, Saladin began a major campaign against the Crusader Kingdom of Jeru-

salem. His troops virtually destroyed the Christian army at the battle of Hattin, taking the city along with a large amount of territory.

Outrage over these defeats inspired the Third Crusade, led by rulers such as the aging Emperor Frederick Barbarossa —who was drowned at Anatolia before his entire army reached Syria—, King Philippe II de France and King Richard I of England —known as Richard the Lionheart—. In September 1191, Richard’s forces defeated those of Saladin in the battle of Arsuf; it would be the only true battle of the Third Crusade. From the recaptured city of Jaffa, Richard reestablished Christian control over some of the region and approached Jerusalem, though he refused to lay siege to the city. In September 1192, Richard and Saladin signed a peace treaty that reestablished the Kingdom of Jerusalem —though without the city of Jerusalem— and ended the Third Crusade.

From the fourth to the sixth crusade (1198-1229) Though the powerful Pope Innocent III called for a new Crusade in 1198, power struggles in and between Europe and Byzantium drove the Crusaders to divert their mission in order to topple the reigning Byzantine emperor, Alexius III, in favor of his nephew, who became Alexius IV in mid-1203. The new emperor’s attempts to submit the Byzantine church to Rome met with stiff resistance, and Alexius IV was strangled after a palace coup in early 1204. In response, the Crusaders declared war on Constantinople, and the Fourth Crusade ended with the conquest and looting of the magnificent Byzantine capital later that year.

The remainder of the 13th century saw a variety of Crusades aimed not so much at toppling Muslim forces in the Holy Land as at combating any and all of those seen as enemies of the Christian faith. The Albigensian Crusade (1208-29) aimed to root out the heretical Cathari or Albigensian sect of Christianity in France, while the Baltic Crusades (1211-25) sought to subdue pagans in Transylvania. In the Fifth Crusade, put in motion by Pope Innocent III before his death in 1216, the Crusaders attacked Egypt from both land and sea, but were forced to surrender to Muslim defenders led by Saladin’s nephew, Al-Malik alKamil, in 1221. In 1229, in what became known as the Sixth Crusade, Emperor Frederick

II achieved the peaceful transfer of Jerusalem to Crusader control through negotiation with al-Kamil. The peace treaty expired a decade later, and Muslims easily regained control of Jerusalem.

End of the crusades Through the end of the 13th century, groups of Crusaders sought to gain ground in the Holy Land through short-lived raids that proved little more than an annoyance to Muslim rulers in the region. The Seventh Crusade (1239-41), led by Thibault IV de Champagne, briefly recaptured Jerusalem, though it was lost again in 1244 to Khwarazmian forces enlisted by the sultan of Egypt. In 1249, King Louis IX de France led the Eighth Crusade against Egypt, which ended in defeat at Mansura —site of a similar defeat in the Fifth Crusade— the following year. As the Crusaders struggled, a new dynasty known as the Mamluks–descended from former slaves of the sultan–took power in Egypt. In 1260, Mamluk forces in Palestine managed to halt the advance of the Mongols, an invading force led by Genghis Khan and his descendants that had emerged as a potential ally for the Christians in the region. Under the ruthless Sultan Baybars, the Mamluks demolished Antioch in 1268, prompting Louis IX to set out on another Crusade, which ended in his death in North Africa —he was later canonized—.

A new Mamluk sultan, Qalawan, had defeated the Mongols by the end of 1281 and turned his attention back to the Crusaders, capturing Tripoli in 1289. In what was considered the last Crusade, a fleet of warships from Venice and Aragon arrived to defend what remained of the Crusader states in 1290. The following year, Qalawan’s son and successor, al-Ashraf Khalil, marched with a huge army against the coastal port of Acre, the effective capital of the Crusaders in the region since the end of the Third Crusade. After only seven weeks under siege, Acre fell, effectively ending the Crusades in the Holy Land after nearly two centuries.

Though the Church organized minor Crusades with limited goals after 1291—mainly military campaigns aimed at pushing Muslims from conquered territory or conquering pagan regions— support for such efforts disappeared in the 16th century, with the rise of the Reformation and the corresponding decline of papal authority.

CHAPEL/CHURCH Runan (Church)

1

Neuilly-sous-Clermont

2

Laon

2

Moisy-le-Temple

3

Metz

3

Coulommiers

4

Villedieu-lès-Maurepas

4

Arville

5

Saulce d’Island

5

1

Villemoison

La Courroirie

6

7

Beaune

7

Voulaines

8

La Bergerie

8

Épailly

9

Blaudeix

9

Mormant

10

Grand Mas-Dieu

10

Bure-les-Templiers

11

Petit Mas-Dieu

11

Fontenote

12

Yvrac-et-Malleyrand

12

Sainte-Catherine

13

Cressac

13

Celles

14

Sergeac (Church)

14

Jalès

15

Montricoux

Ydes (Church)

16

Vaour

17

Notre-Dame-de-Mésage

17

18

Hyères

Genis-au-Bois (Church)

16

TOWN/VILLAGE

2

1

Coulours

6

15

MAIN TEMPLAR SITES IN FRANCE

COMMANDERY

3 2

1

3

1

4

3

2

4

5

4

9

5

8 7

7

9 10 11

5 12 13

14

15 16

17 13

OTHER BUILDINGS 1

Bridge at Balisy (Town of Longjumeau)

2

La Cavalerie

2

Ruins at Chalou-Moulineux

3

La Couvertoirade

3

Museum at Payns

4

Richerenches (Village)

4

Wine cellar at Pavillon-Sainte-Julie

5

Ruins at Temple-de-Boixe

6

Peyrassol

8

12

14

Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon

11

6

Montsaunès

1

10 6

15 16

4

2

1 3

6 17

18

THE TEMPLARS IN AVEYRON [CHAPTER II] Out of four preserved templar major sites such as towns or villages, three can be found extremely well preserved in Aveyron.

La Couvertoirade Ý

La Cavalerie Ý

Sainte Eulalie de Cernon Ý

The struggle against Saladin

protector of the Holy Sepulchre decided to resume hostili-

By March 1187, Saladin is on his way from Damascus

ties with Saladin, although Saladin signed a two-year truce

and an army of fifteen to twenty thousand men. Along

with the leper king and the regent. The Baron Renaud de

the way the surrounding land has been ravaged, and the

On a hot summer day of 1187 Saladin defeated the

Châtillon, nicknamed the elephant, violated the truce by

crusader troops were trying to stop him. These troops are

army of the King of Jerusalem, Guy de Lusignan and his

attacking a caravan part of Cairo at the end of the year

highly diminished by years of raids organized by the Sultan

turbulent ally Renaud de Châtillon. The place is called

1186. Hence, Saladin decided to walk against the Latin

throughout the kingdom, and the divisions amongst the

the Horns of Hattin, near the Sea of Galilee. This July 4,

Kingdom.

crusaders that have bled their power. However, the Templars led by Gérard Ridefort attacked a Muslim vanguard

1187, was the most important step in Jerusalem reconhas

in-

of seven thousand horsemen with barely two hundred

managed

to

knights! The Battle of Cresson, on May 1, 1187 was

It all started when he succeeded at unifying the Muslims.

unite the Muslims, after several years of struggle against

obviously a massacre, only the Master and three other

The Crusader army exterminated at Hattin, it was just a

the descendants of Nûr al-Dîn. He now controlled Aleppo,

Templars stayed alive.

matter of time for the Holy City to be re-captured. It hap-

Damascus and Cairo, where he deposed the Fatimids ten

pened on October 2, 1187.

years earlier. Saladin had built a legitimacy on a jihad-

Raymond of Tripoli was in a quite awkward position. The

driven propaganda for the reconquest of Jerusalem. For

count had agreements with Saladin, but as a Frankish

Since the death of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem in 1185,

years, he tried unsuccessfully to push the defenses of the

prince he had allegiance to the King of Jerusalem. While

nicknamed the leper, the Latin kingdom has been de-

Latin Kingdom, defended by Baldwin IV and the military

trying to delay the deadline, the Battle of Cresson which

caying. Guy de Lusignan political maneuvers, supported

orders like the Templars. Hampered by divisions within his

took place on his land was a trigger for him to switch

by his wife Sibylle, allowed him to ascend the throne of

camp and the Frankish skill, he had to be patient. The

sides, let go the Latin side in Saladin’s favour. However, he

Jerusalem, following the early death of the young Baldwin

death of the Leper King, he respected, as well as Renaud

did not intend to let Guy de Lusignan, Renaud de Châtillon

V. With the help of Renaud de Châtillon, but against the

de Châtillon’s provocations therefore seemed quite timely.

and Gérard Ridefort free of direction.

quest by Saladin.

advice of the Regent Raymond, Count of Tripoli, the new

The

Ayyûbid

deed

free

—Saladin— hand

as

he

As of early July 1187, the two sides were ready for a decisive battle. The question was more in regards to where it should take place and who would take the initiative to launch it.

On the Franc side, around six hundred Templar knights were present, but those killed at the battle of Cresson were dearly missed.

The rest of the Jerusalem army had just over fifteen thousand men. Was present the cream of the nobility and the following famous Frankish knights such as King Guy of Lusignan, the Count of Tripoli, Renaud of Châtillon, the Master of the Templar Knights GÊrard Ridefort, and Guillaume de Montferrat.

Saladin, meanwhile, had an obvious advantage lining up more than twenty thousand men, half of them horseback riders, notwithstanding the famous mounted archers, a nightmare for the heavy the Frankish horseback riders. As an addition, the sultan had the initiative and the control of the land.

Saladin decided to attract the Latins into a trap by attacking Tiberias on July 2. The city was under siege, and in it the Count of Tripoli’s wife. Yet it seems he tried to dissuade the King Guy de Lusignan against an attack to liberate the city and his wife. He knew well Saladin and grasped the danger. It is still unknown if he was sure of the presence of his wife in the besieged city.

La Couvertoirade Ă?

In any case, on the evening of July 2, the Crusader army had not started yet its march

So the next day, much to the surprise —and some fear— of the knights and soldiers of

for Galilee.

Jerusalem, order was given to move towards Tiberias. Climatic conditions —in July— are hellish, and the crusading army was already quite far from its supply sources. Ad-

The Master of the Templars, Gérard de Ridefort, driven by a genuine hatred of Islam,

vance had to be made but large risks were to be taken. Guy and Gérard Ridefort, did

would have persuaded Guy de Lusignan to break camp and to march with his whole

not change their minds. Although Raymond of Tripoli made desperate attempts to stop

army to crush the threat Saladin.

them, he, as a good vassal, rejoined the on-the-move army.

Saladin had not lost sight of the Frankish army. Soon he sent his light cavalry to harass

Horns of Hattin. The sweltering heat and the Muslim archers’ arrows warped the army

it. However, The Latins, had hoped to reach the city and the lake for fresh supplies.

of Jerusalem into a disorganized and exhausted mass, which soon found itself facing

To make it they had to cross a rocky plateau, located between two hills, the famous

the Saladin’s army, twenty thousand men, well bunkered and healthy.

A massive kill followed, just outside the Horns of

The next day, the King of Jerusalem and his entourage

Most of the Frankish army was wiped out this July 4,

Hattin. Saladin set fire to the surrounding bushes,

surrendered to Saladin. Saladin killed himself Renaud de

1187, at Hattin. A few garrisons were still present in the

thus the Crusaders were blinded and choked by the

Châtillon, to punish him for his —many— crimes against

fortresses and the main cities, not enough to stop Saladin

smoke and the furnace. They received flocks of thou-

Islam. As well, the sultan directed to execute the still alive

and his armies though. During the following weeks, he

sands of arrows but unable to appropriately react.

but captured Templars. Gérard Ridefort would have been

took over these Latin squares one by one. Soon, only Tyre

A few of them, including Raymond of Tripoli, managed

killed during the battle. Similarly, Turcoples, were tried as

and Jerusalem remained untouched.

to flee towards Tyre. The rest of the army went dead at

traitors to Islam and beheaded. Guy de Lusignan mean-

night, corpses resting on the hot plateau, or trapped in the

while, was saved by his rank, and taken prisoner. As for

However, on October 2, 1187, Jerusalem fell with no real

fortress of Tiberias.

any other captured noble, Saladin was expecting a ran-

resistance, only defended by a handful of Templar knights,

som. The other captured men were enslaved.

including Balian d’Ibelin.

The Battle of Hattin was over.

This battle ended the Second Crusade, but not an end to wars between Muslims and Crusaders knights. Wars would continue for nearly a century and a half. This battle significantly changed the balance of power at the expense of Christians. However, once known in the West, it provoked a vigorous burst of the main feudal kings and monarchs. The Emperor Frederick Barbarossa of the German Empire, the King of France, Philippe Auguste, King of England, Richard the Lionheart implemented huge reinforcements thus streaming the Third Crusade that would begin shortly after.

Birds of Aveyron | Chapter 2

Great White Egret, photo by Marc Vie Ă?

Bannac Pond birds Bannac Pond, located west of Villefranche de Rouergue, is somehow a self-designated nature reserve where different birds can be watched according to the varying seasons or all year-long.

All year: Grey Heron, Middle Spotted Woodpecker; Spring: Purple Heron, Osprey, Spotted Crake, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern; Winter: Great White Egret, dabbling ducks, Snipe.

Middle Spotted Woodpecker Ă?

Osprey Ü

Grey Heron Ý

Purple Heron Ü

Spotted Crake Ă?

Wood Sandpiper Ý

Green Sandpiper Ý

Black-winged Stilt Ă?

Common Sandpiper Ă?

Black Tern Ý

Great White Egret Ă?

Whiskered Tern Ă?

dabbling duck Ă?

Snipe Ý

Ü

Ü

The story of the birds of Aveyron will be continued in next AVEYRON MAGAZINE

AVEYRON MAGAZINE

Issue 4 ART, HISTORY, HERITAGE, FOOD, WINE, ETC. published by Experience (my) France www.ExperienceMyFrance.com