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QuoteReplyTopic: Maurice: the first knight? Posted: 06-Sep-2012 at 20:27
Saint Maurice was a black Roman soldier who posessed the spear Longinus used to pierce Christ's side. When sent to crush a revolt in Gaul, Maurice refused to worship the emperor as he was a Christian. Not only was he sentenced to death, but all his men volunteered to join him
I thought he was a cavalryman. Maurice was regarded as an early knight due to his chivalry and devotion to duty. He fought and conquered for emperor Maxentius then, when facing death, calmly accepted his fate rather than ordering his men to kill the tyrant and seize the throne for himself
An officer who's example was legendary..but in the medieval or Roman sense he was not a knight. He is remembered as the probable senior Legate of the Theban Legion. The association of a knight is a later medieval adaption in varying depictions.
He is the inspiration for the USA Infantry Association's Award of the 'Order of St. Maurice'. And like it's counterparts in Armor and Artillery; is considered a extremely prestigious and selective one.
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