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Mysteries of the Hospitaller Order - The Crusaders - S01 EP03 - History Documentary

Banijay History・34 minutes read

The Knights Hospital, a prominent medieval institution, focused on caring for the sick and maintaining strongholds during the Crusades, distinct from the Templars. They faced challenges such as leprosy, adapting after the fall of Acre, and withstanding attacks to continue their mission.

Insights

  • The Knights Hospital, founded by Crusaders, evolved from a prayerful life to militarization, protecting pilgrims and travelers in the Holy Land, showcasing their strength and resilience against enemies like Saladin.
  • The hospital's role extended beyond warfare; they cared for the poor, sick, and lepers, with a strong focus on hygiene and medical practices, influenced by religious beliefs that tied disease to sin, emphasizing the importance of compassionate care to avoid spiritual consequences.

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Recent questions

  • What were the Knights Hospital known for?

    Caring for the poor and sick during Dark Times.

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Summary

00:00

Knights Hospital: Warriors of God and Healing

  • The Knights Hospital, a new Kingdom built by Crusaders, lived a life of prayer by a solemn rule.
  • New orders of the Cross and the sword emerged, known as the hospitals, warriors of God feared by enemies.
  • Guardians of the poor and sick, the hospitals cared for those in need during Dark Times.
  • The Knights Hospital, renowned in the Middle Ages, wore black and later red robes, dedicated to God's work with the sword.
  • The hospitals, overshadowed by the Templars, were respected for their caring and healing reputation.
  • The hospitals, with a medical wing, fought alongside the Templars in the Holy Land, known for their aggressive yet caring image.
  • The Knights Hospital, older than the Templars, began as a hospital in Jerusalem for pilgrims and travelers.
  • After the First Crusade, the hospitals militarized to protect pilgrims, patrolling the Christian holy land borders.
  • The hospitals built and maintained castles on the frontiers, reflecting advanced Castle Building Technology.
  • Belvoir Castle, strategically located, held off Saladin's forces for 18 months during the Crusades, showcasing the hospitals' strength and resilience.

18:14

Medieval Hospital in Acre: Archaeological Insights

  • People bring in Barrow loads of rubbish, creating an archaeological display over centuries.
  • The hospital stronghold in the Holy Land during the Crusades was a significant base.
  • The hospital's enormous building showcased the power and wealth of the Crusader state.
  • The hospital quarter was part of a bustling medieval city and port, distinct from other areas.
  • Medieval Acre was a cosmopolitan hub with markets, trade, and a mix of cultures.
  • The hospital complex covered around 4,500 square meters with various rooms and halls.
  • The refectory served as the communal dining area for the hospital's knights.
  • The hospital's fundraising efforts in Western Europe focused on this site.
  • The hospital's latrine, a massive structure, ingeniously managed human waste.
  • The excavated latrine provided insights into medieval life, including evidence of parasitic worms and hygiene practices.

34:53

Medieval leprosy: disease, stigma, and care.

  • Leprosy was a chronic and socially debilitating disease in medieval times, affecting the face, causing blindness, ulcers, numbness in hands and feet, and difficulty mobilizing.
  • Hansen's Disease, formerly known as leprosy, is now treated with antibiotics but was poorly understood in medieval times.
  • Religious views in medieval Europe linked leprosy to punishment for sins, with caring for lepers seen as a way to avoid condemnation to purgatory or hell.
  • The Order of Saint Lazarus, established in the 12th century, cared for lepers, with many members being sufferers themselves, and later expanded to include non-lepers seeking spiritual intensity.
  • After the fall of Acre in 1291, the military orders, including the hospitalists, had to adapt; the Order of Saint John found a new home in Rhodes, where they withstood an Ottoman attack in 1480, turning it into a propaganda victory.
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