Appeal of Medieval coins 3 - Claudia: Origins of the Bloody Raven – Knight in shining armor

Leopold 2 Thaler by Coinshome Public Domain

A lovely dream list coin from Austria dated 1626 commemorating the wedding of Leopold V and Claudia de’ Medici, on the obverse and the Austrian Crowned Eagle on the reverse.

I know what you can be thinking. That there is an odd parallel going on here but there isn’t with my fictional story of Claudia Auditore Da Firenze aka the Bloody Raven. Claudia de' Medici is daughter to Ferdinando de' Medici of the House Medici an Italian Banking family and political heavy weight in the Republic of Florence/Firenze’ a coincidence. Built originally on the textile trade in the late 14th century the Medici bank had grown into the largest bank in Europe in the 15th century and with its power and influence yielded four Catholic Popes and intertwined with the bloodlines of European royalty for centuries thereafter. Despite the Medici bank itself faded and crumbled in the later years of the 15th century under the weight of bad loans, poor decisions and fraud. Not to mention the Florentine banks in 1494 operated a reserve as low as 5% (leverage) just before it failed. Yet the influence of the Medici family continue to linger long after.

The Knight in Shining Armor

Tavern table by Mysticartdesign license CCO

His voice rang with authority and clarity.
She could see that this knight was no stranger to combat. His white mantle was worn at parts with faint stains of blood either of his own or more likely his opponent's along with stitching at various places in makeshift repair. His shoulder pauldrons and arm rerebrace had several indentations that ended short of his riding gloves.
His leather gloved fist tightened on the hilt of a Nobleman's broad sword. "Answer me Watch officer!"
The officer nodded, "M..my name is Kobol sire." as he stepped slowly backward.
The imposing knight stepped forward his face remain within a hands breath from the Officer’s, "Then be gone Kobol, my charity is not without its limits!"
The soldiers picked up their equipment and clamored out the door as quick as they could.

At that moment the voice turned from authority into eloquence and concern. "Are you injured in any manner my lady?"
"I have yet to yield to any but I seem to be whole Sire." Replied Claudia.
"Very good." He turns with a gentlemanly bow, alighting her right hand with a kiss. "I am Lukkas Corneilius Benedictine IV of Trilona at your service."
"I am Cl... Maria, Maria of Menine, I have just returned from my journeys abroad to my old home town to find that my old home is no more."
"Do you not have any family left?"
"Some but I do not wish to impose upon their destitution so I left what silver I could spare in their laundry."
"Ah, and tis your reason to seek shelter here."
"It's been so long that they hardly remember me."
Claudia remembered to properly address a known Lord for the fiefdom of Trilona as with any Khazarian fiefdoms, right foot forward, followed by a simple curtsey before kneeling. "I thank you for coming to my aid Sir Lukkas."
He knelt and lifted her upon her feet, "I am glad to be of good Christian service Lady Maria of Menine. Please, I beseech thee to just call me Lukkas."

His eyes resurveyed the tavern for any further threat before the Knight's rugged grimace softened to that of a gentleman's smile.
The other knight accompanying him picks up the book off the floor. “Is this yours my Lady?”
Claudia lifted her hands towards the book, "Oh thank you sir, that heathen of an officer took my book and cast it aside to my horror."
Lukkas stepped to his college. "Allow me?"
"Sire." The knight brushed off the book before passing it to Lukkas.

M
The leather was supple, binding firm, the clasps brand new. Opening the book the pages were fresh, crisp and unsoiled. The intricate well scripted letters orderly, sharp and bold. The paragraphs begin with an eye pleasing illumination. His finger followed a line of familiar text.

In principio ert Verbum et Verbum erat apud Deum et Feus erat Verbum hoc erat in principio apid Deum omnia per ipsum facta sunt et sine ipso factum est nihil quod factum est in ipso vita et vita erst lux hominum…

The passage read:

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing is made that had been made. In him is life and that life was the light of all mankind…

"Why... this is the Holy Word of God!" He stared wide eyed at Claudia, "A fair maiden in possession of such a priceless tome?"
Biting her lip, "I intend to present this to the Bishop of Khazaria when I finish my journey there. The Abbott of Bvlgarius sent me to deliver this under his secret order."
"I see, highwaymen and rogues would lest likely to think that a woman would be a sole courier of such an important canon. Then you are an Angel sent by God! We shall escort you to see this properly delivered!" With a mere glance to his escort they unanimously agreed.

She shirked again under the weight of her own lie, as the Reformist Tynsdale once quilled, 'Out of thy pot and into yea flames'. He seemed more than willing to help, this old order Teutonic knight of a fading glory but his spirit had refreshed seeing this as a clear mission from God handed to him by an 'angel'.

"May I introduce my fellow pilgrims, a childhood friend Brother Issak of Fiye," His hand slapped the shoulder paudron the brown bearded knight,
He performed a well mannered bow, "My lady."
"Sir Issak."
Lukkas slaps the shoulder of the other knight, "Then Brother Theodore of Talo!
He removes his helmet revealing his shavened head, face and minimal ring of hair of a man more accustomed to monastic life. "God bless you my child."
"Sir Theodore."
"Then Markus my Man-at-Arms, and two of our four squires Mathias, Elgan and two other capable squires now stabling our horses."

Vessels from Pixabay by Vivian6276 License CCO

Lukkas turned to the Innkeeper, "Good man, I understand this as a late hour but do you have accommodations for my eight men as well as myself?"
"Certainly my lord and may I offer a hearty meal as well?" Pochatta the innkeeper was elated that everything was well and offered his best wine. His grin was expectant and eager.
"A Good suggestion, that would give us plenty of time to be acquaint with our fair maiden and her vital mission." Lukkas ungloved reached in his pouch and placed a gold coin into Pochatta's right hand.
“We shall about three nights to accommodations good man.”
“This is far more than enough sire.” Pochatta politely shook his head
“Then accept my generosity and I shall cover the cost to our lady as my guest… ”
Claudia protested only slightly, “I wish the Inn keeper to keep my money, he tried to protect me the best he could as my reward for seeing to my interest.”
“Indeed.” Smiled Lukkas, “The old Menine was reputed to have fine hospitality and self-sacrifice, then let it be so to its favor in my future endeavors here.”

Venezia Ducat licensed by CCO2.5

After Grace the men quietly indulged into their meal of stew and slightly hard bread. It was perhaps the best the inn could provide on such short notice and late hour. Only after the meal brisk conversation ensued in earnest. Claudia avoided the dark aspects of her life embellishing where needed to conceal her own business and personal mission of revenge and to find any relatives still among the living, especially her older brother Grigory II. Her last memory was his valiant attempt to protect her immediately after she was whisked into the slave market to be sold like cattle. How he must have suffered at the hands of evil men with evil motives. She had to find out if he was still alive. She needed information. The avenger must not reveal thy self to the prey. They must not know until it is too late.

Claudia focused back to the present, "You see that my education and travels have wrought much learning and wisdom."
"Amazing, you have traveled much," Replied Issak.
"I was not exactly forthwith about traveling throughout the most of Europe but made the most of it."
Lukkas put down his goblet, "Amazing, I have yet to visit Firenze myself. However my beliefs have changed somewhat from what Rome speaks and teaches about God and his good will. From what I have read from the Khazarian Cathedral library's only tome I can see why this theological division has discouraged my desire to visit Rome. But most apparent is the fragile and tattered is the state of the tome now in the library so it is in need of a new copy is that correct Issak?"

Sir Issak grinned, "I can attest that is the dire need of the Cathedral library that we had in earnest prayed together for many times even before our pilgrimage that such prayer be answered!"
“Then it is no coincidence, nor by fate that this meeting here is but by the very providence of God!" Sir Theodore turned to Lukkas, "My apologies my brother for being against your choice of destination your choice was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit!"
All the men nodded again in agreement.

Old Book Pexels Image by Skitterphoto License by CCO

“Lukkas pointed at her book, "This further proves that the 'Sword of the Spirit' as our Lord and Savior Jesus’ words are mightier than any weapon fashioned by men."
Before Claudia realized it, Lukkas lifted her sword yet he realizing it alarmed her.
“Oh, my apologies Maria. That was rather impolite of me to do. May I study your sword?”
Claudia nodded but internally struggled to reserve her surprise and anxiety. “Damn, he mustn’t touch the blade.”

“I shall take caution with this my Lady. It seems quite delicate, too delicate to withstand the rigors of combat. It is different, small, very light, yet the detail and workmanship appears extraordinary.” He partly unsheathed the blade and observed the grain. “Fine craftsmanship, appears to be ceremonial but still a weapon owned by the noble or hero but never met a woman bearing such an exquisite sword.”

“Extraordinary enough that I could have single handed trashed those soldiers before thy entered this Inn.” Claudia wielded her sword hand in the air in an amateurish manner, “…at least enough to frighten them to death.”
The nine men erupted in laughter at her gesture. Theodore chuckled, “Perhaps we would have arrived in time to remove the bodies and I would provide their last rites.”

"Indeed you may be right Brother. Please take this..." Lukkas sheathes the blade and returns the sword to Claudia. "...before I die a most frightful death before my lady Maria."

R. Clip art from 123RF W. Wiki CommonsAssassin’s Creed rights belong to UBIsoft Assassin’s Creed Universe WebsiteM. The Gospels of Maeiel Birth Mac Durnan plate 1, The Art of illuminated manuscripts 1988 by Bracken books. ISBN 1 85170 177 X

Previous Episodes of Claudia

The Heart of Ezio Claudia Auditore da Firenze Claudia: Origins of the Bloody Raven -The Inn Claudia: Origins of the Bloody Raven –Sword of the Beast Claudia: Origins of the Bloody Raven – The Knight in Shining Armor

Claudia from DeviantArt by WisesnailArt

By Connormah – Wikimedia Public Domain

“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”