Medieval Europe: Looking for the name of an order in mideast

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Looking for the name of an order in mideast

Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: Regional History or Period History
Forum Name: Medieval Europe
Forum Discription: The Middle Ages: AD 500-1500
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21415
Printed Date: 10-May-2024 at 04:55
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.56a - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Looking for the name of an order in mideast

Posted By: Exarchus
Subject: Looking for the name of an order in mideast
Date Posted: 25-Aug-2007 at 14:49

I've heard of it but can't remember the name, it was an order of people that would sacrifice themselves by offering themselves as hostages in exchange of pilgrims. Could someone please help me out about them?

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Vae victis!

Replies:

Posted By: Leonardo
Date Posted: 26-Aug-2007 at 03:46

Originally posted by Exarchus

I've heard of it but can't remember the name, it was an order of people that would sacrifice themselves by offering themselves as hostages in exchange of pilgrims. Could someone please help me out about them?

Probably you refer to the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy of the Redemption of the Captives. Besides the three ordinary vows, the Mercedarians (as they were also called) took as fourth vow to exchange themselves for another Christian fellow who was prisoner or slave of the enemies of the Faith (Muslims above all).

The Order was founden in Middle Ages in Spain. Italian wikipedia says that during 130 years, after the foundation of the Order, they ransomed about 52.000 Christians from their muslim masters.

The Order exists today in seventeen countries.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Blessed_Virgin_Mary_of_Mercy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Blessed_Virgin_Mary_of_Mercy

Posted By: Exarchus
Date Posted: 26-Aug-2007 at 07:55

That's exactly that, thank you very much.

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Vae victis!