Shadow of Life-Drostan
In my novel, Shadow of Life, Drostan is the commander of the Vigiles (vampire military), a former Templar knight.
Just who were the Knights Templar?
The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian order, the most hardened fighting units of the Crusades and among the most wealthy and powerful of the Western Christian military orders. The Red Cross that the Templars wore on their robes was a symbol of martyrdom, and to die in combat was considered a great honor that assured a place in heaven. There was a cardinal rule that the warriors of the Order should never surrender unless the Templar flag had fallen.
The organization existed for nearly two centuries during the middle Ages until it came to a tragic end. Friday the 13th 1307, hence unlucky Friday the 13th, was the day Pope Clement V and King Phillip IV of France had the Knights Templar massacred. In order to carry on their activities in safety, Templars escaping persecution and arrest in France and some other countries of Europe needed to regroup somewhere. They chose the confederation of cantons now known as Switzerland.
I wove these historical events in my storyline. Switzerland is the setting for part of the book, the seat of my vampire government and made the connection with theTemplars. An ex-Templar became the logical choice for the general of the Vigiles: brave, disciplined, devoted to his cause and lethal.
“My knight, loyal Drostan, obedient to a fault. He is absolutely lethal and unstoppable, his movements ordered and limited to a defined direction. He is the knife that I wield to remove corruption.” Amon, Shadow of Life
Just who were the Knights Templar?
The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian order, the most hardened fighting units of the Crusades and among the most wealthy and powerful of the Western Christian military orders. The Red Cross that the Templars wore on their robes was a symbol of martyrdom, and to die in combat was considered a great honor that assured a place in heaven. There was a cardinal rule that the warriors of the Order should never surrender unless the Templar flag had fallen.
The organization existed for nearly two centuries during the middle Ages until it came to a tragic end. Friday the 13th 1307, hence unlucky Friday the 13th, was the day Pope Clement V and King Phillip IV of France had the Knights Templar massacred. In order to carry on their activities in safety, Templars escaping persecution and arrest in France and some other countries of Europe needed to regroup somewhere. They chose the confederation of cantons now known as Switzerland.
I wove these historical events in my storyline. Switzerland is the setting for part of the book, the seat of my vampire government and made the connection with theTemplars. An ex-Templar became the logical choice for the general of the Vigiles: brave, disciplined, devoted to his cause and lethal.
“My knight, loyal Drostan, obedient to a fault. He is absolutely lethal and unstoppable, his movements ordered and limited to a defined direction. He is the knife that I wield to remove corruption.” Amon, Shadow of Life
No comments have been added yet.
