Moving Forward

Time marches on and so do the Crusaders. Put yourself back there. Food was scarce and life was hard. Carrying a briefcase on the bus is charmed compared to wearing a suit made out of metal mesh and carrying a weapon that was heavy enough to put the bearer's body in a physical shape that would be the envy of any weight lifting, work-out addict at a health club. Unfortunately there were no sanitary facilities, showers or coffee bars to relax in after a day of hacking fellow humans to death in the name of Christ. Just the cold ground and perhaps some roasted road kill. Maybe even a "Dead skunk in the middle of the road."

(Art: Byzantine influence 1189, Monreale Cathedral, Sicily)