On p. 82, En Jaime says, "'...desperta ferres...'" and describes how the Catalans set King Fadrique on the throne of Sicily.
En Roger di Flor had been expelled from the Templars. For previous blog references to the Templars, see here.
The Grand Drungarios was killed in a riot in Constantinople. (p. 83) I have never come across a reference to such an official anywhere else and cannot find him by googling. En Roger becomes Duke Roger although not the same "Duke Roger" that we have encountered before.
The Catalans:
clear Turks from Cyzicus and Pegae;
rout the Turks besieging Philadelphia in Anatolia;
pursue them to the Iron Gates (?) on the Lycian frontier;
occupy the Greek island of Chios.
There is more but I am being interrupted here.
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
ROGUE SWORD was first published in 1960, and was probably being written in 1959. I have discussed before how Anderson seems to have accepted a mostly negative view of the Templars in this book. However, by the time he wrote "Death And The Knight," more than 30 years later, we see him taking a less starkly critical view of that order. My conclusion was that further research convinced Anderson that while the Templars were flawed, they were no where as bad as their enemies painted them.
And I have come across that East Roman title "Grand Drungarios," in Anna Comena's biography of her father the Emperor Alexius I (r. 1081-1118), THE ALEXIAD. A Grand Drungarios was a very high ranking Navy officer, probably equivalent to a four star US admiral (and the same rank in the Royal Navy).
Yes, Roger De Flor was invested with the title of "Megas Doux" (Grand Duke) and married to Andronicus II's niece.
I would have to check for details, but I know the "Iron Gates" is far to the east in Anatolia. The Grand Company seems to have been very much a SHOCK to the invading Turks! Which makes me regret all the more how the Grand Company and the Byzantines were soon so fatally at odds.
And I will be looking up King Fadrique (or Frederick) of Sicily.
Ad astra! Sean
Paul:
In The General, some of the Civil Government troops use a Sponglish version of that Catalan battle cry, shouting "Despert Staahl!"
Kaor, Paul!
Seeing that title of "Grand Drungarios" reminded me of what I read when I looked up the Eastern Emperor Andronicus II (r. 1282-1328, d. 1332). While not a a stupid man, he did make many mistakes. One of them being his DISBANDING, in a misbegotten attempt at economy, of the Byzantine Navy. It left the Empire dependent on foreign navies like those of Genoa (and even Venice!) for maritime defense. And they certainly wouldn't render such services for free!
To say nothing, of course, of how badly Andronicus II mishandled the
Grand Company!
Ad astra! Sean
Throughout the Middle Ages armies of Western knights were unrivaled at what they did best -- headlong attack. "A charging Frank could knock a hole in the walls of Babylon," as the saying went.
They weren't nearly so good at other things, though they got better as time went on, but the armies of the south and east never equalled their sheer elan at shock action.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree, but I would add that in addition to their headlong, ferocious courage, the Catalans were also noted for their DISCIPLINE, something Anderson stressed in ROGUE SWORD. IOW, the soldiers of the Grand Company fought under orders in disciplined units. Disciplined ferocious shock action seems to have been characteristic of them.
Ad astra! Sean
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