Scene from the Maciejowski Bible
We’re living in interesting times just now as we try to come to terms with the results of the Brexit vote – a decision taken by referendum as to whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. This blog is not a political post and it’s not full of in depth analysis or knee-jerk rhetoric. I leave that to others who roll that way. Social media is saturated with personal opinions and articles that give further insights into what’s going on. It’s a jumbled jigsaw in close focus at the moment, but perhaps in time, we’ll be able to step away and look at the big picture. Documentaries will be made that’s for sure!
A popular saying is that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I think that we’re doomed to repeat it anyway because that’s the way we seem to be wired. Nothing changes – ever. I expect most historians will be able to find examples from their periods of expertise of the kind of behaviour we are witnessing in the corridors of power now. As it ever was.
It is total synchronicity that for my work in progress, TEMPLAR SILKS, I am currently reading a translation of a work by 12th century William of Tyre (c1130-1184) an archbishop living in the areas now covered by Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. During his lifetime, much of this area and especially the coastal plain was ruled by Europeans and settlers who had conquered the lands following the First Crusade and created a ‘Kingdom of Jerusalem’ and associated principalities. William of Tyre wrote a history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the political events he had witnessed or knew of from eye-witness reports. It is called A HISTORY OF DEEDS DONE BEYOND THE SEA and is a fascinating window on that place and period.
The country was experiencing some difficulties during his final years of writing. The young king of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV was suffering from leprosy. He had reached his early twenties but the disease was terminal. His heirs were his sisters and his little nephew whose mother, Sybilla was married to a European incomer Guy de Lusignan. The latter was viewed by many, especially native born rivals, as incompetent. Guy was a fine warrior in himself with the confidence to believe that he was going to be the next ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. However when it came to seeing the bigger picture in politics he did not have the necessary skills and no one was going to help him (apart from his wife who seems to have genuinely and deeply loved him) because the barons who should have been his backbone support, were also his rivals, were native born, and thought him a waste of space. During a bout of sickness, King Baldwin IV gave Guy, now titled Count of Jaffa, a chance to prove himself by appointing him regent, but Guy showed himself politically inept and the factions at court rather than warming to him, made sure he failed by refusing to cooperate.
What struck me when reading William of Tyre on the subject of Guy de Lusignan’s bid for power, were the many similarities in human behaviour between then and now. Put these men in sharp suits at Westminster instead of their silk tunics and hose, and you have a scenario of self interest, back-stabbing, manipulation and public woe not a million miles from what we have today.
Here is William of Tyre on Guy de Lusignan’s power brokering. The barons have acknowledged that Guy will be regent because King Baldwin is currently too sick to do the job.
“First, however, at Baldwin’s command Guy is said to have sworn that, as long as the king lived, he would not aspire to the crown and would not transfer to others or alienate from the treasury any of the cities and castles at that time in the possession of the king. It is believed that this was enjoined upon Guy with the most careful forethought and purpose and that he was obliged to bind himself by an oath in the presence of all the barons that he would faithfully observe that stipulation. For he had promised almost all the most important lords of the realm individually no slight portions of the kingdom in order to secure their votes and interest in obtaining his end. It was even rumoured that he had taken a similar oath to these lords that he would carry out his promises. This can not be stated as fact, for we have no definite information on the matter, but constant rumours to this effect were in circulation among the people.
scribe at work
There were those who were displeased at this change; some were inclined to object to it because of their own personal interests and private reasons; others pleaded the public welfare and, apprehensive about the condition of the realm, declared openly that the count was not equal to the burdens of so great responsibility and was not competent to administer the affairs of the realm. Others, however, who hoped that Guy’s promotion might improve their own condition, maintained that it was well done. Among the people there was much diversity of opinion for, as says the proverb, ‘so many men, so many minds.’
The count did not long rejoice, however, in this eagerly desired charge which was now committed to him according to his wish and in which he at first rather indiscreetly gloried. We have said that he took this responsibility upon himself unadvisedly, for this reason: he did not sufficiently consider his strengh with reference to the task laid upon him. Unequal to the burden both in force and wisdom, he assumed an insupportable weight. He had not learned the truth of the parable of the evangelist, wherein he advised that ‘one who intends to build a tower first sit down and count the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it lest he fail and it be said, “this man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
Later, William of Tyre, unwell and elderly, decided that it was all too much and took the decision to retire from penning his chronicle.
But now every source of glorious renown is taken from us, and the only subjects that present themselves are the disasters of a sorrowing country and its manifold misfortunes, themes which can serve only to draw forth lamentations and tears….In utter detestation of the present, amazed at the material which is presented before our eyes and ears, things unfit to be told, we lack courage to continue. In the acts of our princes there is nothing which seems to a wise man worthy of being committed to the treasure house of the memory, nothing which can contribute refreshment to the reader or confer honour upon the writer… the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it. For we have now reached a point where we can endure neither our evils nor their remedy.’
This is all rather bleak and downbeat, and I am doing my best to remain on a level with determination to weather the current situation and see the job through. To read the above during my general research was fascinating though and further proof, if any were needed that very little changes. We might move horses, or even animals on the carousel and the music might be different, but we’re still going round in the same circles.
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