1801

Four Brothers Join the Crusade to Jerus

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Four Brothers Join the Crusade to Jerus
Four Brothers Join the Crusade to Jerusalem, 1147. Remarkable mediæval manuscript charter, in which four sons of the French noblewoman Letuisa of Milly, France, join the Crusade to Jerusalem. A seminal document, with unmistakable pertinence to the battle for the future of the civilized world seen in today's news headlines. In this document, inspired by divine command, she also gives up her fortune to the Church, and seeks out in poverty the communities of religious women, choosing the church of St. Mary at Rozoy-le-Jeune, near Courtenay in the Diocese of Sens, whose holy virgins accepted her. Seriously ill with fever, she called together her sons and daughters, asking them to make donations to the church, to which they generously agreed. The gifts of three (or four?) of her sons, portions of the harvest from their lands, are spelled out, and were praised by the four daughters and three further sons (all parties are named). Witnesses included officials of the church, the crusader Arnulfus (Arnulfus ierosolomitanus), and the hunchback knight Stephanus (miles gibosus). The charter closes, "This gift was made in the same year in which the four above-named brothers set out for Jerusalem for the sake of the Lord." All factors point to this being at the time of the ill-fated and bloody Second Crusade, 1147. Approximately 7 x 9, on vellum, 23 lines in a clear Romanesque hand, in Latin. Elaborate initial in ink at beginning. Penned entirely on one side, with later dockets on verso. From the reign of King Louis VII (1120-1180), "Louis the Young," who conquered Charlemagne, and himself joined the Second Crusade. According to American Book Prices Current, only one other item from his reign has reached the market since 1986, the earliest year searched. Minor wear and defects, else about fine condition and dramatic for display. With full transcription and translation. Mediæval documents with such poignant content relating to major historic events are very rare. Though some 850 years old, it shows the central role of Jerusalem spanning the ages both its power and its deadly lure continuing in headlines of today. "The Crusaders saw themselves as trying to free the Holy Land from the rule of the Muslims. The Crusades were a defensive act against the flourishing Muslim state, which Christians perceived as a threat to their faith and their way of life."--Trautman & Peterson. By virtue of its content - and context, this is one of the finest items in any field of endeavor which we offer at this time. It is unlikely that the brothers returned home.