Saturday, January 10, 2015

Jacques de Molay, Last Grand Master of the Knights Templar

Using a GW Empire head atop a FireForge figure - here is the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay.
His horse trapper and shield bear his personal coat of arms. His tunic and cloak are blazoned with the Templar Order cross. Interestingly, there is no record of an "official" style of cross used by the Templars, but the one used here seems common enough for them.
A small bit of Green Stuff was used on the back of his neck to represent his mail coif pulled back.
De Molay is said to have been born in a part of Burgundy then ruled by the Holy Roman Empire, and had joined the Templars in 1265, at the age of 21. He is believed to have been present at the Fall of Acre to the Mamluks in 1291.
In 1292, he was elected as Grand Master for the Templars. The Order had relocated to the island of Cyprus after losing their foothold in the Holy Land. He even attempted to forge an alliance with the Mongols in an effort to defeat the Mamluks.
In 1307 the Order was charged with using blasphemous initiation rites and other heresies. King Philip IV of France had members of the Order, including De Molay arrested. Confessions of these "crimes" were obtained after sufficient torture and executions. It should be noted that King Philip stood to gain the Templars' immense wealth, as well as be freed from the large debt he owed to the Order. Still imprisoned by the French King, De Molay retracted his confession in 1314 and was subsequently burned at the stake. He is believed to have uttered these final words, "Let evil swiftly befall those who have wrongly condemned us – God will avenge us."  An embellished version being:
"Here you see innocent people die!" "I am calling you, King Philip IV of France!" "I am calling you, Pope Clement V" "I am calling you to appear within one year from today at the Court of God in order to receive your legitimated penalty! - curse, curse, be all of you cursed until your 13th generation"
In any case, the Pope died within a month,  and the king before the year was over.
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40 comments:

  1. CyrusJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:49 PM

    Cracking figure Dean with an interesting history!

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    1. DeanMJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:52 PM

      Thanks, Mike! Appreciate the kind words and visit. Best, Dean

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  2. RogJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:59 PM

    Oh, this is an amazing and marvellous miniature, congratulations! And one of my favourite historical figures, embodying the final and tragic chapter of Templar history. In Portugal they just changed from Knights Templar to Knights of Christ - their cross becoming one of the national symbols, and omnipresent during the Age of Discovery - on flags and sails :) Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. DeanMJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:09 PM

      Thanks for your great comments! Much appreciated. Dean

      Delete
  3. NateJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    So good mate! love the write up. Those final words, wow, eerie.

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  4. DannocJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:41 PM

    A lovely figure, as usual, and great detail.
    Thanks
    Dan

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  5. Jonathan FreitagJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:45 PM

    Wow! I think each of your knights is my favorite until I see the next one! Truly exquisite! Enjoy the mini-history lesson accompanying each too. Prophetic last words.

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  6. rhingleyJanuary 10, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    Great figure. Looks fantastic.

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  7. MillsyJanuary 10, 2015 at 3:22 PM

    Another cracker mate! Can we see a group shot at some point please?

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  8. DeanMJanuary 10, 2015 at 3:26 PM

    Thanks everyone for the great comments.

    @ Michael: I plan to take a group shot after two more figs.

    Warm regards, Dean

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2015 at 5:02 PM

    Very nice and inspiring work Dean.

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  10. RodgerJanuary 10, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    Great looking figure again Dean! Interesting info too!

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  11. PrufrockJanuary 10, 2015 at 11:54 PM

    Great figure! Have to quote Yeats at this point...

    'Vengeance upon the murderers,' the cry goes up,
    'Vengeance for Jacques Molay.' In cloud-pale rags, or in lace,
    The rage-driven, rage-tormented, and rage-hungry troop,
    Trooper belabouring trooper, biting at arm or at face,
    Plunges towards nothing, arms and fingers spreading wide
    For the embrace of nothing; and I, my wits astray
    Because of all that senseless tumult, all but cried
    For vengeance on the murderers of Jacques Molay.

    (from Meditations in Time of Civil War)

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  12. PhilJanuary 11, 2015 at 12:10 AM

    A most famous character, and one of your best achievements...gorgeous!

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  13. Paul WJanuary 11, 2015 at 1:34 AM

    Fantastic work, and a great post too, what a story! I have to say also, that is a mighty fine beard :-)

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    1. DeanMJanuary 11, 2015 at 7:57 AM

      Thanks, Paul. Figured he'd lead by example on the Order's "no shaving" rule. :)

      Delete
  14. peterJanuary 11, 2015 at 1:35 AM

    Great painted figure! The heraldy is just awesome!

    Greetings
    Peter

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  15. Moiterei_1984January 11, 2015 at 1:42 AM

    Excellent painting once again! The pulled back mail coif is a nice touch.

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  16. Black PowderJanuary 11, 2015 at 2:08 AM

    Dean, you're exceeding yourself once again! I love that pink detail on the back of the barding. Masterful painting!

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    1. DeanMJanuary 11, 2015 at 7:58 AM

      Thanks, Soren. I appreciate your approval on the colors - something I end up deciding on while painting as I never am quite sure how it should contrast. Best, Dean

      Delete
  17. ScottswargamingJanuary 11, 2015 at 3:10 AM

    Super job, love those red crosses

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  18. Michael AwdryJanuary 11, 2015 at 3:42 AM

    Now that is wonderful! Cracking work Dean.

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  19. DeanMJanuary 11, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    I truly appreciate all of the nice comments and it cheers me to know it meets your collective approval. Warmest regards, Dean

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  20. Simon Quinton January 11, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    Lovely work. White is such a difficult colour to pull off especially when it is the primary colour great job!

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  21. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)January 11, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    He really looks great Dean!

    Christopher

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  22. Ray RousellJanuary 11, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    Fantastic brushwork, and a great bit of history too.

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  23. Evan HughesJanuary 11, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    More medieval goodness to astound us. The painting and the history are, as always, excellent!

    Of course, the Templars are rumoured to have carried on in secret in Scotland, and to have played a pivotal role at Bannockburn in 1314... who can say for certain?

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    1. DeanMJanuary 12, 2015 at 12:10 PM

      Interesting to note that Edward II thought the French inquisition total baloney. and gave the Templars in England as much a break as he could - without defying the Papal bull - no pun intended.

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    2. Evan HughesJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:38 PM

      Edward II, a much-maligned monarch; impulsive, like most Plantagenets, but without the force of personality to crash through baronial intransigence. His choice of favourites left much to be desired as well - Gaveston took him to the cleaners!

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    3. DeanMJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:45 PM

      Indeed, his selection of his inner circle left much to be desired -to their collective misfortune.

      Delete
  24. HetairoiJanuary 11, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    Great figure Dean!

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  25. Sławek ChomiczewskiJanuary 12, 2015 at 12:45 AM

    Great painting. Encouraged to play the Crusader Kings II

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  26. maximexJanuary 12, 2015 at 1:50 AM

    Again, a fabulous figure.
    Clean fresh colors.
    Now, we can even say; the real razor-john!

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  27. DeanMJanuary 12, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    Thanks for the great comments and visit in the new year, Gents! Warm regards, Dean

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  28. Rank BajinJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    Real nice :-)

    Roy

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    1. DeanMJanuary 14, 2015 at 6:24 AM

      Thanks a lot, Roy. I see you've been very busy in 2015 already. Regards, Dean

      Delete
  29. Ted HenkleJanuary 16, 2015 at 2:25 PM

    I'm just catching up on your blog posts. WOW! So many museum-quality figures to compliment you on!

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  30. PaulalbaJanuary 17, 2015 at 12:39 AM

    Very cool and cracking text to.

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  31. DeanMJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:25 AM

    Thanks, Gents! Your visit and comments are always much appreciated. Dean

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