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"Jerusalem Heraldry?" Topic


5 Posts

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1,262 hits since 28 Mar 2019
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Comments or corrections?

von Erlach28 Mar 2019 11:59 a.m. PST

Hello all,
I was thinking of starting a Crusader army and was looking for some inspiration for the heraldry. On the Fireforge website there is a shield set of the « Order of Jerusalem », blue background with a golden Jerusalem cross. I also remember seing in Kingdom of Heavens (I know, not the most historically accurate movie…)
However, after browsing the Interweb for a while, I could find no mention of the Order of Jerusalem that wasn't linked with Hospitalers or Templars, and thusly not bearing ghis heraldry.
My question is, is this shield design made up or is their some historical foundation to it?
I would like it to exist because it does look cool, but I can't imagine myself using a made-up heraldry for my minis.
Thanks!

khanscom28 Mar 2019 1:46 p.m. PST

Ian Heath in "Armies and Enemies of the Crusades" describes the banner of the Kingdom of Jerusalem as a gold cross potent between 4 gold latin crosslets, all on a white field. The most obvious characteristic of this is the violation of the rules of tincture by placing a metal (i.e., gold) device on a metal (i.e., silver) field.

GurKhan28 Mar 2019 1:47 p.m. PST

I think your suspicions are correct – doesn't exist, made up for the film. I have never seen anything like it in any book on the Crusades or on heraldry. The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre might be the closest historical equivalent – link

GildasFacit Sponsoring Member of TMP28 Mar 2019 2:22 p.m. PST

Ian Heath gives a variant of the Jerusalem arms (a later one, I think, but not certain). The standard one has Latin crosses, not crosslets.

The Fireforge arms are fictional. I believe that the official use of that particular symbol is in the gift of the Vatican.

Personal logo ColCampbell Supporting Member of TMP28 Mar 2019 2:45 p.m. PST

And the banner of the Kingdom of Jerusalem described by khanscom would only be used by the forces directly in liege to the King of Jerusalem. Outside of the two orders mentioned (Hospitallers and Templars) most banners would be the personal ones of the local rulers and any "visiting" western European contingents.

Jim

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