Charlemagne's Paladins - roleplaying in the 8th century

[Not]

Perhaps they find the kingdom of Prester John?

[Agemegos]

Originally Posted by Not

Perhaps they find the kingdom of Prester John?

I set my quest for Prester John in the late 13th Century. The Prester John stories were current only from the 11th Century and unknown in the time of Charlemagne. Technically, if Prester John's kingdom was supposed to have survived from before the irruption of Islam in the 7th Century it ought to have existed in the 8th and 9th, but I prefer to avoid the literary anachronism.

[Verjigorm]

Originally Posted by Anders

Well, the Bible isn't silent... but a lot of people would say that the new teachings of Christ - turn the other cheek, do not resist evil, for instance, supersedes the Old Testament. I'm thinking that the more martial stuff belongs to Islam, since Muhammad was clearly a general as well as a prophet.

Edit: Thinking about it some more, you're probably right. I'll consider this tonight, while I sleep.

Remember that Jesus said he came not to overturn the Law, but to fulfill it.

Early christians were pretty hearty combatants. Well, atleast the Germanics and other rural types, while the urbanites seemed to really embrace that "pacifism" thing.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

Remember that Jesus said he came not to overturn the Law, but to fulfill it.

Early christians were pretty hearty combatants. Well, atleast the Germanics and other rural types, while the urbanites seemed to really embrace that "pacifism" thing.

Hmm... new and revised ritual list:

Banish, Chaperone, Curse Sanctum, Dose, Fertility, Lay to Rest, Succor, Ward, Warrior's Blessing, Weapon Blessing, Weatherworking

For the Christian virtues, I go to Crusader Kings 2: Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, Humility.

[Polydamas]

There are many good books and articles for a general audience on early Christian attitudes to violence ... just saying ...

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by adm

I would note that this was bronze plate, not steel, and is rather heavy, not significantly better than steel maile, and very expensive.

A typical Greek bronze cuirass weighed around 10-12 lbs.

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Cheomesh

There's a vast difference between cast bronze plates and hammered iron ones.

Bronze plate wasn't cast, it was forged just like iron plate.

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Sword-dancer

AFAIK they didn´t use Plate at this time, the varamgian Guard got equipped with scale Body armor , not plate.

We don't have the slightest idea what armour the varangians wore. There are no texts, no archaeological finds, and the only illustration depicts him bare chested with a two-handed axe. The Loadouts book suggests that they should have the same gear as Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Verjigorm

We are centuries before either men, but is there any reason to suspect equally martial bishops during Charle's time?

Absolutely. Bishops were expected to raise troops and lead them into battle just like any other Carolingian landholder.

[Anders]

Now, the vassi dominici sound interesting:

Originally Posted by Charlemagne biography

Charlemagne also maintained a small group of the best warriors, the vassi dominici, who helped him enforce his authority.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

They also went on ad hoc missions.

There are definite possibilities there.