1146 Collection

Eleanor on Crusades
Eleanor of Aquitaine (or of Guyenne) rides east with her husband, Louis VII; but her carryings-on with Raymond of Antioch will lead to divorce, and marriage to Henry II

Crusader Praying
A French Chevalier banneret (horseman carrying a banner) prays before leaving for the Second Crusade

Crusade / Bernard Preaches
Saint Bernard of Clairvaix preaching at the second crusade, Vezelay, France

Facade of the Abbey Church of the Magdalen, where St Bernard preached the Second Crusade, 1146 (engraving)
5220746 Facade of the Abbey Church of the Magdalen, where St Bernard preached the Second Crusade, 1146 (engraving) by English School

Coronation of Henry the Lion and his marriage to Matilda
534457 Coronation of Henry the Lion and his marriage to Matilda, from the Gospel of Henry the Lion (vellum) by Romanesque, (12th century); Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbuttel

Knight praying before leaving for the Second Crusade, 1146
LLM462468 Knight praying before leaving for the Second Crusade, 1146 by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Knight praying before leaving for the Second Crusade, 1146)

CRUSADER PRAYING
A French Chevalier banneret (horseman carrying a banner) prays before leaving for the Second Crusade Date: 1146

Giraldus Cambrensis
GIRALDUS CAMBRENSIS Welsh historian Date: ?1146 - 1220?

Boxley Abbey, near Maidstone, Kent, England, was founded by William de Ypres, King Stephens military commander of the whole of Kent during the civil disorder. Date: founded 1146

Coronation of Henry the Lion (1129-1195) Duke of Saxony from 1146, and his wife Matilda daughter of Henry II of England, married 1168. In top half of picture Christ, Angels and Saints look down

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX (1090-1153) preaching the Second Crusade at Vezelay in Burgundy, 1146: steel engraving, 19th century

A Knight Templar stands on a Mediterranean shore, wearing the red cross on his cloak authorised by pope Eugenius III in 1146. Date: 1309

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In the year 1146, Eleanor embarked on a journey that would shape her destiny - the Crusades. As she stood before the grand facade of the Abbey Church of the Magdalen, where St Bernard preached about the Second Crusade, she felt a surge of determination and faith. Beside her, a crusader knelt in prayer, seeking divine guidance and protection for his upcoming mission. The weight of responsibility hung heavy upon him as he prepared to leave for battle. Meanwhile, across distant lands, Bernard passionately preached about the importance of reclaiming Jerusalem from its captors. His words echoed through villages and cities alike, stirring hearts with fervor and conviction. Amidst these historical events, another significant moment unfolded - the coronation of Henry the Lion as Duke of Saxony in 1146. With his marriage to Matilda by his side, they symbolized unity and strength in their quest for power and influence. Giraldus Cambrensis chronicled these remarkable times with great detail and insight. His writings captured both triumphs and tribulations faced by those involved in this holy endeavor. Boxley Abbey served as a sanctuary for weary souls seeking solace amidst chaos. Its walls witnessed countless prayers uttered by knights departing for battle or returning home wounded but unwavering in their resolve. Yet beyond these noble aspirations lay darker undertones. Franz Bohmer's enigmatic plan revealed hidden secrets within Poznan Castle during World War II. Similarly, Joachim von Ribbentrop's official apartment became a backdrop for political machinations during this tumultuous period. The year 1146 encapsulated an era marked by religious zealotry intertwined with political ambitions. It was an age when individuals sought redemption through war while others exploited it for personal gain. As we reflect upon this chapter in history today, let us remember both its triumphs and tragedies - acknowledging humanity's capacity for greatness alongside its potential for greed and destruction.