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Author Topic: Krak des Chevaliers  (Read 7553 times)

Sir Edward

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Krak des Chevaliers
« on: 2011-08-19, 14:16:53 »
Krak des Chevaliers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krak_des_chevaliers

Krak des Chevaliers (Fortress of Knights) was an important castle during the crusades, in a strategic location and withstanding several sieges. For a period of time it was the headquarters of the Hospitallers. The one time a siege was successful against it, they had used trickery rather than open warfare, by forging a letter ordering the surrender of the castle. It was estimated that it could withstand a 5-year siege. Seriously.


Quote
The castle is located east of Tartus, Syria, in the Homs Gap, atop a 650-metre-high hill.[3] It sat along the only route from Antioch to Beirut and the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of many fortresses that were part of a defensive network along the border of the old Crusader states. The fortress controlled the road to the Mediterranean, and from this base, the Hospitallers could exert some influence over Lake Homs to the east to control the fishing industry and watch for Muslim armies gathering in Syria.
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SirNathanQ

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #1 on: 2011-08-19, 14:30:59 »
My personal favorite crusader stronghold.  :)

It withstood 17 sieges by very strong armies under Saladin and Baybars reigns.
During that whole time they were literally surrounded by the armies of Islam, completely cut off from the outside world. 
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Sir William

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #2 on: 2011-08-19, 15:00:23 »
I rode with King Baldwin to reclaim it from the DeChatillon bastard...it was too bad that he did not put up a fight.  ;)
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The Black Knight, Order of the Marshal
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Sir Gerard de Rodes

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #3 on: 2011-08-19, 19:11:59 »
This is already on my "ultimate sight seeing experiences" list  ;)
G.
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SirNathanQ

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #4 on: 2011-08-19, 21:52:21 »
Sir William, the castle in the movie Kingdom of Heaven that Reynald was trolling the countryside was Kerak, if I'm not mistaken.
Krak des Chaevaliers was owned by the Knight's Hospitaller.
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Sir Patrick

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #5 on: 2011-08-20, 00:55:11 »
Even today that looks like a tough nut to crack!
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Frater de Beaumanoir

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #6 on: 2011-08-20, 12:09:07 »
Quote from: SirNathanQ on 2011-08-19, 21:52:21
Sir William, the castle in the movie Kingdom of Heaven that Reynald was trolling the countryside was Kerak, if I'm not mistaken.
Krak des Chaevaliers was owned by the Knight's Hospitaller.

You Sir, are correct.
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Sir Wolf

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #7 on: 2011-08-21, 23:10:16 »
 :o :o :o :o :o ;D
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SirNathanQ

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #8 on: 2011-08-22, 01:34:42 »
Ok, so I remember my KOH right  :D
But hey, Kerak was nothing to sneeze at  ;)
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"The maximum use of force is in no way incompatible with the simultaneous use of the intellect." -Carl Von Clausewitz
"He is truly a fearless knight and secure on every side, for his soul is protected by the armor of faith just as his body is protected by armor of steel." -Saint Bernard of Clairvoux

Sir William

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Re: Krak des Chevaliers
« Reply #9 on: 2011-08-23, 16:10:36 »
I always get the two of them mixed up.  Thanks for the clarification!
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