Thursday, May 27, 2010

Now That's What I Call Anti-Clericalism!

(in regards to events in Frankish Syria, c. 1150)

-The Patriarch Aimery of Limoges (Latin Patriarch of Antioch) ...was extremely proud and dictatorial...he did not conceal his contempt for the new Prince (of Antioch, Reynald of Chatillon).  When Reynald heard the things the Patriarch had to say about him...he had Aimery seized by his soldiers, and not content with flinging him into prison, had him flogged until he bled and then exposed on a tower in full sunlight, smeared with honey to attract wasps and flies.-

from Les Croisades, by Zoe Oldenbourg

Apparently, the King of Jerusalem, Baldwin III, secured Aimery's release, but the patriarch decided not to stay in Antioch. :-)