Friday, November 4, 2011

Who were the strongest medieval knights?

Several knights were said to be quite strong. Godfrey of Bouillon was one of the leaders of the First Crusade. He was one of the Nine Worthies (Arthur, Charlemagne, Judas Maccabeus, Joshua, David, Hector, Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar were the others.), who were the main characters in troubadours' "chansons de geste". His first battle on the Crusade was against Turks. He met a Turkish champion on horseback. Godfrey swung his six pound broadsword as easily as a modern majorette swings her baton, and the Turk was cut in half at the waist, armor and all, with one mighty stroke. The terrified horse fled with the man's legs and lower waist still in the saddle. The other Turks were terrified too when they saw such a feat of giant strength. None of them dared to face mighty Godfrey. An average modern man could not wield one of those heavy medieval broadswords. The Templars and Hospitallers were created to help guard Jeruselam. Some of them were among the strongest knights of their day. King Richard I (Coeur de Leon = The Lion-Hearted) of England was also celebrated for his strength and skill as a knight. No Saracen could withstand him. Saladin the Saracen general then had a rivalry with Richard, but he certainly could not match him in strength.

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