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knowltonsrangers · 5 months

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delictum

TURN!Caleb Brewster x F!reader

in which Caleb jumps hurdles and spins in circles just to see the reader.

Suppose anyone knew exactly what he was doing in the middle of New York on a Thursday evening. He'd probably have an earful from Tallmadge and the General about treading over enemy lines for an unexplainable reason.

His reasoning was legitimate- though, convincing those two would be a much harder feat.

Though he had a purpose to be in New York, venturing this far into York City would not be as sensible, nor equally fair-minded. His nose wrinkles distastefully at the mere thought of Ben's annoyance that he was a few hours behind schedule.

Oh, bah. He'll have to get over it.

Keeping out of sight, he walks the cobblestone with purpose, hat tilted just over his eyes as his hands find his pockets.

Finding you was the easy part. Finding a way to you without garnering any unwanted attention would be the hardest bit.

There wasn't much to expect, lest this late in the night, as you begin to retire, a comb running half-heartedly through knotted hair, when you catch movement in your window, just behind you through the vanity mirror.

Shoulders tensing slightly, you turn to stare out the window, hoping for no more shadows. Only to assume it is an animal before something taps gently on the glass.

"y/n!"

It's muffled and hushed, but nonetheless, a voice you were not expecting. Happily running across the room, you flip the lock and slide the window open, greeted by a smiling brunette.

"Caleb! What on earth-"

"Did ya think I would be in the city and not come to see you?"

Taking a step back, he climbs through the window, tossing his hat aside once his feet finally touch the floor.

"How could I be so foolish to think not,"

Your hand finds your lips, fingers attempting to silence the bubbling laughter.

"Suppose you try the door next time?"

"How sweet of you to predict there will be a next time."

Caleb's arms open wide, and you waste no time in finding comfort in his arms you always found, arms around his neck in a manner of seconds as he peppers your face with kisses.

"I was actually just writing to you,"

"Yeah?" "Mhm. I guess you can take it with you, no sense in mailing it."

His hands find the small of your back, then pull you away from him for a short moment as you gasp at the seemingly erratic movement.

You should have known, he always has some mischief up his sleeve.

In a matter of seconds, he's gathered you in his arms, feet leaving the floor as he just holds you close, inhaling your scent as if he really didn't believe he was holding you.

It has been almost nine months since you've properly seen each other. The best you can hold onto is his sporadic letters and waves across the sound.

"This is the best surprise I could have ever asked for." You mumble into his dark curls, arms around his neck to hold him even closer.

"But it seems like you needed this a little bit more than me,"

"Ya can say that again, y/n."

He sighs, offering one more squeeze before gently setting you back on the ground. You catch the glint in his eyes, the one ridden with guilt and full of disappointment that he can't stay longer.

Instead of not worrying you, he slaps his tell-all smile on his lips and attempts to circle the conversation back.

"I am hopeful if I don't get an earful for this time, I'll be able to stop by again sometime soon."

You smile up at him, fingers clasping behind your back as you rock on your heels. He bends to scoop his flat-brimmed hat off the floor, placing it back atop his head.

"Then it would be fair to say the General nor the Major know of this stop?" "Nah, and I don't think they need to."

Caleb raises his index finger to his lips as if to motion to keep it a secret. You offer your pinky, and he easily loops it with his to seal the promise.

"Secret's safe with me," "'Atta girl."

You bounce to the tips of your toes, pinkies still entwined as you kiss his cheek, mumbling a message to return safely.

"I will. But I oughta be on my way now, s'much as I don't want to."

With a watery smile, you pull from his grasp, watching with tearful eyes as he begins back out the window from which he entered.

"Oh, wait!"

He pauses, one hand resting on the sill as you grab the letter from your desk, folding it quickly as you slip it carefully into his coat pocket.

"It's not finished, but I am sure you'll understand it all the same."

Caleb's smile melted your heart, carefully patting his pocket with his free hand.

"'Til next time, sweetheart."

"Until next time,"

You blow him a kiss, and all in the blink of an eye, he becomes once more a shadow of the night.

#sul writes #amc turn #turn amc #turn washingtons spies #turn washington's spies #turn: washington's spies #caleb brewster headcanons #caleb brewster x reader #caleb brewster imagine #turn caleb brewster #caleb brewster

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albumarchives · 9 months

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Siebenbürgen | Delictum (2000)

#black metal #melodic black metal #siebenburgen #2000 #cover art

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theparanoid · 5 months

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youtube

Siebenbürgen - Delictum

(2000, full album)

[Melodic Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Symphonic Black Metal]

#music #melodic black metal #gothic metal #symphonic black metal #metal #full album #Youtube

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cavaleirodesantamaria · 2 years

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Da Liturgia das Horas - Vésperas do dia 26 de agosto de 2021.

Feliz do homem que foi perdoado.

Salmo 32(31), 3-5.

"Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa mea, dum rugirem tota die. Quoniam die ac nocte gravata est super me manus tua, immutatus est vigor meus in ardoribus aestatis. Peccatum meum cognitum tibi feci et delictum meum non abscondi. Dixi: “ Confitebor adversum me iniquitatem meam Domino ”. Et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei."

Tradução

Enquanto eu silenciei meu pecado, †

dentro de mim definhavam meus ossos e eu gemia por dias inteiros,

– porque sentia pesar sobre mim a vossa mão, ó Senhor, noite e dia;

– e minhas forças estavam fugindo, tal como a seiva da planta no estio.

– Eu confessei, afinal, meu pecado, e minha falta vos fiz conhecer.

– Disse: 'Eu irei confessar meu pecado!' E perdoastes, Senhor, minha falta.

Convento Franciscano, São Paulo, Agosto 2021.

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crimeshq · 2 years

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* ◟ 𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑽𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑪𝑲 ! the following accounts have twenty - four hours to post in - character or at risk of being unfollowed .

@celestexbrooks , aja naomi king fc .

@outsydes , satomi ishihara fc .

@delictums , gong yoo fc .

@miscrecntshqx , robert pattinson & lindsey morgan fc .

@mvdnighthcir , deepika padukone fc & hunter parrish fc .

@sheraze , victoria pedretti fc .

@sxvxnglvs , kara killmer fc .

@ofmurphs , joseph morgan fc .

@fxckxdupp , jannis niewohner fc .

@bludtaker , peter gadiot , barry keoghan & levy tran fc .

#crimeshqactivity

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leulostlilian97 · 6 years

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Él, triste de cebolla.

Tú, satisfecho.

No te derrumbes.

No sepas lo que pasa

ni lo que ocurre.

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synonemous · 4 years

Link

rating: T

category: M/M

fandom: Guardian

relationship: Shěn Wēi/Zhào Yúnlán

tags: au – cops vs serial killers, Shen Wei’s completely rational reactions to anything related to Zhao Yunlan, navigating a relationship where 1/2 is neurodivergent, what (not) to do when your lover’s reaction to any obstacle is to kill it, how to domesticate a feral serial killer that is in love with you, eventual happy ending

#fic: par delictum #fic: culpa 'verse #please heed the tags #see the story for more - these are the abridged tags #SK's complete fanfics #Guardian fanfic #WeiLan

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corpse-drummer · 7 years

Video

youtube

Siebenbürgen - Majesties Infernal

From album: Delictum

#siebenbürgen #majesties infernal #delictum #melodic black metal #black metal #metal #music #sweden

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farginen · 2 years

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riza’s tattoo and flame alchemy theory dissection:

the top area between the tails of the two serpents.

the latin inscription is a part of a poem by flumen viride, called “the rites - four elements: earth, fire, air, water.” the part in riza’s tattoo addresses the element of fire. the poem in latin reads thus (words in brackets are not included in the tattoo):

latin :

salve spiritus ignis: in flamma cerei te video doce mihi intellegere vis ignis vindica me et alteros ab morte in flammis [noli adiuvare hos incendarios] - incendium dolosum delictum grave est cohabitemus placide, fove me in frigore, da mihi lucem me in obscuritate spiritus ignis, [te saluto et tibi gratias ago.]

translation :

greetings spirit of fire: i see you in the flame of a candle teach me to understand the strength of fire avenge me and others by death in flames [do not help these arsonists] - deceitful arson is a serious crime let us dwell together in peace, warm me in the cold, give me light in the darkness spirit of fire, [i wish you well and thank you]

the very first line igni natura renovatur integra, or “inri”, has many different meanings in the alchemical world: ignem natura regenerate integrat (nature renews fire by regeneration) and igni natura renovatur integra (nature is completely renewed with fire) are a couple translations.

this first section is merely a salutation to fire, as if berthold hawkeye were addressing the element as a person. it seems that he is asking permission to utilise its strengths and services before he “messes” with its integrity by using it for alchemical purposes. this approach is very commonly found in real life grimoires of hermetic practices and ceremonial magic.

upper left quadrant around the main circle.

latin :

cuantum indissolubilis qualitas reverto eaequalmc2 mmc2aequal mmc2 et ½ mov2 deuterio et deuterio —> he et neut deuterio et deuterio —> tritio et ⊙ hidrogeno deuterio et tritio —> he et neut

translation :

how much of an indestructible quality can be returned? e = mc2 mmc2 = mmc2 + 1/2mov2 deuterium + deuterium —> helium + neutron deuterium + deuterium —> tritium + hydrogen deuterium + tritium —> helium + neutron

this section is primarily about physics and chemistry followed by well known equations. the first is albert einstein’s mass-energy equivalence theorem, and the second seems to be a relationship between the einstein’s theorem and the kinetic energy of a mass (m) with a moving speed (v), or the equation e = 1/2mv2. however, these two equations are not exactly related, even though they have some of the same components (mc2); einstein’s equation expresses the amount of energy in a particular mass, and the second equation (e = 1/2mv2) expresses kinetic energy (or the energy of motion).

it’s unclear why these two are equated with each other, but it might have been a speculation on berthold hawkeye’s part or he might have tried to use one as an analogy of sorts about the other. what was the message he was trying to convey isn't clear.

the last three lines are the simplest reactions for man-made nuclear fusion (which would make sense, since roy is able to create large, but controlled, explosions through his alchemy). by combining a molecule of deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) with another molecule of deuterium, the product would be a molecule of helium plus an extra neutron. the same principle works for the other two equations (tritium is also an isotope of hydrogen).

master hawkeye was indeed a master in his trade if he was able to figure out nuclear fusion (a really touchy subject in physics). nuclear fusion is a reaction when two or more atomic nuclei collide at a high velocity and conjoin to form a new atomic nucleus; these reactions mostly take place in stars. these equations provide the basics to the huge spontaneous release of energy, ignition, which flame alchemy solely relies on, and anyone who has knowledge of these equations has the ability to ultimately produce something as powerful as a hydrogen bomb. this is probably why this part of the tattoo is the most burned away, as roy decided to destroy only the most vital parts to flame alchemy, and not the entire thing. this also puts into perspective why both roy and riza consider flame alchemy so dangerous that roy straying from the right path should warrant being killed.

lower left quadrant around the main circle.

latin :

caloris fluxus in vultus rectus partium calidus in partium frigus secundum

translation :

the flow of heat in the face is guided through a hot region into a second cold region

this is the second of the four laws of thermodynamics. thermodynamic equilibrium states that heat (as in temperature) must flow from hotter regions to colder regions, and that because this is a natural process, it is irreversible.

this section seems to be mostly burned away too, and i’m guessing it’s for ignition purposes as well; you cannot expect a large release of energy from something hot that has been forced into a region of something hotter (such as a burning coal thrust into a fire), as you would if something cold were placed in something hot–like liquid water coming into contact with hot oil. here the temperature difference is so great that the hot oil causes the water to quickly change phase to steam while still mixing with the oil, and the steam bubbles expand in the oil, causing those snaps and pops we hear.

upper right quadrant around the main circle.

latin :

ignis motio celeris subitas ob cam motio calor vis viva est caloris aequal Δcalor divisio mΔcronos caloris motus est non flogiston

translation :

the sudden swift movement of fire strong heat lives because of movement heat = Δheat/mass of an object Δcronos movement of heat is not due to a phlogiston

the first two lines seem to be detailing kinetic energy (of which heat is sometimes a byproduct), but the third line corresponds to theories on molar heat capacity: molar heat capacity = (amount of heat transferred to another object) / [(molar mass) x (the change in temperature of the object)].

the fourth line refers to the phlogiston theory, which is now considered obsolete. in the 17th century, a phlogiston was described as a molecule possessing fire-like capabilities and able to be released during combustion.

heat is definitely not moved around by microscopic flaming balls of fire in your tea or coffee, but rather follows the second law of thermodynamics by natural process.

lower right quadrant around the main circle.

latin :

non delenda non creada lux est et mutantur proprium lux natura est lex primus

translation :

energy can neither be destroyed nor created but its properties can be changed light is the first law of nature

this is the first of the four laws of thermodynamics, which is probably the most complex as it covers many different principles:

the law of conservation of energy (energy cannot be created or destroyed, but rather, changes as it flows from one region to another);

temperature and its relationship to energy (a system in motion has kinetic energy, a system with a force field such as gravity has potential energy);

the process of moving energy in and out of a system is called work; and

heat flow is energy transfer.

the first principle stated above is what is transcribed in the tattoo, and is probably the most fundamental. this is also one of the driving forces behind alchemy’s concept of equivalent exchange: something of equal value must be lost or destroyed in order to obtain or create something; in other words, alchemists must learn to evaluate the world around them and make good judgements based off of what the earth has supplied them with in order to “create.”

as alchemists both berthold and roy would have known this law by heart, and it would not have been necessary for roy to destroy this part of the tattoo but since this array is an all encompassing compendium of his life and work it also makes sense that the first and most important law of alchemy is included.

semi-circle below the main circle.

latin :

totus est in armis idem quando nudus est amor cras amet qui numquam amavit quique amavit cras amet perdidi musam tacendo nec me phoebus respicit sic amyclas cum tacerent perdidit silentium veniam peto

translation :

love is as completely mighty as he is naked let him love tomorrow who has never loved, and let him who has loved love tomorrow i lost my muse by being silent and phoebus does not care for me this silence destroyed amyclae when they were silent i apologize

this section begins with an excerpt from the poem pervigilium veneris (the vigil of venus), credited to the 4th century poet tiberianus.

the poem supposedly describes the beauty of springtime, during which various flora and fauna bloom and awake from hibernation; and though this has absolutely nothing to do with alchemy, it might have to do with berthold hawkeye’s character and personality, and his estranged relationship with his daughter.

it’s known that he was a very eccentric man, preferring to devote most of his time to perfecting his research and letting his home dilapidate; it would seem this is what he wanted to say to his daughter as a sort of apology, and as a promise that he would try to be a better father for her.

riza’s name is a hungarian variant of the name theresa, which derives from from the ancient greek “therízein (θήρίζεἰν), therízo (θερίζω), therasía (Θηρεσία)”, arrived in europe via the ancient greek (latinized) form “teresia”, meaning "to reap, to harvest, harvester".

her name seems to reference season where life blossoms (to harvest the fruit (of life) as analogy for his daughter being the fruit of his and his wife's relationship) as pointed out in the poem, implying this section is in fact about riza.

area directly around the main circle.

signs of the zodiac:

libra – sublimation

scorpio – separation

sagittarius – incineration or ceration

capricorn – fermentation

aquarius – multiplication

pisces – projection

aries – calcination

taurus – congelation or freezing

gemini – fixation

cancer – dissolution

leo – digestion or rot

virgo – distillation

alchemical processes are attributed to the signs of the zodiac (using their symbols as cryptography). the list above begins with aries on the outside of the main circle’s left side (under the second section) and i’ve compiled which processes belong to which signs. the twelve processes as a whole are referred to as classical alchemy’s “magnum opus,” which is a detailed procedure for creating the philosopher’s stone. though this isn’t the same procedure for making a philosopher’s stone in the manga and anime(s), it might have been useful for advanced alchemy students (like roy) to perfect basic alchemy in order to move on to higher alchemical reactions (such as flame alchemy).

area between the heads of the two serpents.

latin :

lux et lex lux et veritas post tenebras lux in luce tua videmus lucem in lumine tuo videbimus lumen

translation :

the light is the law the light is the truth there is light after the darkness in thy light we see light in your light we will see the light

just a few lines of latin that basically proclaim that light (or fire) is the most important and specialised classical element, and that through fire, we gain knowledge and truth. perhaps it is alluding to the story of prometheus, who stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans so that we could be “enlightened.”

the sun: near the bottom of the tattoo there is a large depiction of a sun figure. in traditional alchemy, the sun correlates with the element gold, yellowness, or masculine characteristics, such as virility and nobility (sulfur also represents the male half of the common male-female dichotomy principle). however, given the fact that we’re dealing with flame alchemy, i’m safely assuming that this sun is referring to the element sulfur, which is usually coupled together with fire in alchemy, as they share similar characteristics (hot, dry, ability to create change).

the two serpents: the intertwining serpents form an inverted caduceus, similar to the one the greek god hermes carries. however, in alchemy, the caduceus represents the element mercury (hermes’ roman name), which presides over the female half of the male-female dichotomy. mercury is in every way the opposite of sulfur: it is silver in colour (while sulfur is gold), and associated with femininity, womanhood, and the moon; it also shares characteristics with water (the opposite element of fire), as it is cold and moist (even though it is a metal, mercury is a liquid at room temperature).

i believe master hawkeye meant for these two representations (the sun and the serpents) to be deciphered as one unit. when sulfur (the sun) and mercury (the moon/the serpents) are placed together, they are usually depicted in alchemical illustrations as the “red king” and the “white queen,” respectively. riza would be considered as the white queen as the only one capable of beholding the figurative sun (flame alchemy), and whoever successfully decoded the array as the red king.

worth pointing out the name roy means both ‘red’ (from scottish gaelic, anglicized from the word ruadh) and ‘king’ (from french, roi) which may imply berthold’s wishes for it to be roy who deciphered it.

the main circle.

the transmutation circle sits in the center of the entire array. two concentric circles outline two triangles: the alchemical symbols for the classical elements earth and air. the smaller upright triangle in the middle is the alchemical symbol for fire. two overlaid larger triangles (earth and air) are used as components in creating fire: an earthy substance can be ignited, but air keeps the flames going. the symbol for water isn’t used here as it is the opposite of fire in every way, and using water to create fire would achieve nothing.

the salamander is considered a fire elemental (or a mythical creature associated with one of the classical elements). in medieval times, it was believed that salamanders lived within fire itself; they would spontaneously appear when wood was burning.

the small flame at the top of the array is the final product: the usage of earth, air, and the fire elemental (the salamander) can produce flames with accurate and proficient alchemy practice.

#thought i should dump this here sooner rather than later #if anyone actually reads this i owe you ice cream or something istg #this is SO LONG IM SO SORRY #headcanons.

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gardenofkore · 3 years

Photo

The Normans had a complicated past in the Latin East. As early as the First Crusade, there was an opportunity for the Hautevilles to exert significant authority in the region, one that quickly ended when Roger’s cousin, Bohemond, was captured by Turks as he made his way to Melitene in August of 1100. Bohemond’s imprisonment enabled Baldwin I to claim the throne of Jerusalem uncontested. Had the journey gone differently, it might have been Roger’s first cousin who became king and established a dynasty. But whatever lost opportunity Bohemond’s capture may have represented, it paled in comparison to the one that evaded Roger a little more than a decade later. His mother Adelasia, had been his regent since 1101, the year Roger I died, and by 1112 Roger had begun to rule in his own right. This offered Adelasia an opportunity to accept a marriage proposal from King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. According to William of Tyre, the marriage contract stipulated that if Baldwin and Adelasia had no child of their own, Roger would succeed to the throne when Baldwin died. This arrangement was of particular interest to Roger, and given that Adelasia was in her late thirties and that Baldwin himself was in his late forties or early fifties and — as far as we can tell — had not yet produced any children, it is not difficult to understand why. Unfortunately for Adelasia (and Roger), Baldwin ultimately confessed that their union was bigamous as his marriage to his second wife had not been properly annulled. Susan Edgington notes that the union may have been dissolved partly as a result of pressure from Rome. In addition, though, Baldwin became very ill in 1117, so sick that some wondered if he would die and the kingdom would soon pass to Roger. Some members of the nobility became alarmed at the prospect, and Arnulf oversaw the annulment of the marriage during Easter of the same year. Adelasia was sent home to Sicily soon after, but not before Baldwin had alienated many of the resources she had brought with her from Sicily. She died just a year later, on April 16 — just nine days after Baldwin. For centuries, historians have used her humiliation to explain why Roger was not invested in the Latin East:

Qua redeunte ad propria turbatus est supra modum filius et apud se odium concepit adversus regnum et eius habitatores immortale. Nam cum reliqui fideles diversi orbis principes aut in propriis personis aut inmensis liberalitatibus regnum nostrum quasi plantam recentem promovere et ampliare sategerint, hic et eius heredes usque in presentem diem nec etiam verbo amico nos sibi conciliaverunt, cum tamen quovis alio principe longe commodius faciliusque nostris necessitatibus consilia possent et auxilia ministrare. Videntur ergo iniurie perpetuo memores et delictum persone iniuste in populum refundunt universum.

Dawn Marie Hayes, Roger II of Sicily. Family, Faith, and Empire in the Medieval Mediterranean World, p. 65-66

For more than three years following the wedding there is no information about the royal couple’s conjugal relationship, or Adelaide’s activities, or even her whereabouts. Baldwin seems to have been constantly on the move, fighting for Antioch in the north or against the Ascalonites in the south or exploring into Transjordan and the Sinai desert. However, the validity of the marriage was apparently unchallenged until 1116 when two events coincided. The more important was probably Arnulf’s trip to Rome to argue for his reinstatement as patriarch of Jerusalem. He was successful, but, seemingly, his restoration was conditional on persuading the king to put away his wife. The grounds existed, for although Baldwin had separated from his Armenian wife at some time in the previous decade, there was no annulment of his second marriage and so he was not free to remarry. The following winter, the king fell critically ill and feared he was on the point of death. There was a very real possibility that Baldwin would die without children and the kingdom would pass to a Sicilian heir. Some of the nobility baulked at this, and Arnulf presided over the formal annulment at Easter 1117, incurring the enmity of Sicily to the great detriment of the kingdom, as William of Tyre and modern commentators have agreed. The Sicilian alliance was therefore short-lived and ultimately injurious to the kingdom of Jerusalem. It is redundant to speculate whether the outcome would have been different if Baldwin and Adelaide had produced a child. The alliance failed, and Baldwin’s deteriorating health brought the matter of the succession to the fore. [...]

In 1116, with some 200 knights, Baldwin headed east again, revisiting Montréal, and then south through the desert to the Red Sea. This expedition is thought to have founded a castle in the valley of Moses (Wadi Mūsa) and another at a town on the coast Fulcher called ‘Helim’ (modern Aqaba, Jordan) that they had found abandoned by its inhabitants. On his return to Jerusalem towards the end of 1116, the king became seriously – he feared terminally – ill. Fulcher wrote that this was the reason Baldwin repudiated his Sicilian wife; William expanded Fulcher’s simple statement of fact to involve Baldwin’s seeking the advice of the clergy and trying to explain himself to Adelaide, who was not appeased. William, of course, could see the longer-term consequences of the failure of the Sicilian alliance. Albert of Aachen’s independent account of the same expedition and its aftermath added some interesting details. He did not, apparently, know about the deserted town Helim, but wrote only that the king and his men bathed in the Red Sea when they reached it, as relief from the intense heat, and ate fish. While there, Baldwin heard about St Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai desert, and he was keen to visit it for prayer and conversation, but the monks sent messengers to dissuade him because they did not want to draw attention to the monastery lest they be expelled from it by the Saracens. Although this tale is uncorroborated, it rings true, for St Catherine’s is a Greek Orthodox foundation and has maintained its presence until today partly because of a willingness to accommodate politicalrealities.Baldwin abandoned his plan to visit the monastery and returned to Jerusalem via Hebron, pausing only to raid the plains of Ascalon for camels, cattle, sheep and goats on his way. Albert gave the date of the onset of Baldwin’s serious illness as the beginning of March 1117, technically still winter but later than Fulcher implied, and Albert wrote that the king was in Acre. Baldwin genuinely believed he was on his deathbed, for he ordered that his worldly wealth was to be distributed: part went to the poor, along with a dole of food and wine; part to his household; and part to his soldiers, both his own and those serving for pay. However, Albert claimed that the king made a full recovery. He did not report whether thegifts were revoked but did write that the Egyptian fleets that had put in at Tyre when the Saracens heard of the king’s illness now sailed home without attacking. Another discrepancy from Fulcher’s undoubtedly better informed account is that Albert placed Arnulf’s visit to Rome to exculpate himself after the king’s recovery from his sickness. It was Arnulf who then insisted, on the pope’s orders, that Baldwin repudiate his wife because his marriage to Adelaide was adulterous and unlawful. Arnulf added a charge of consanguinity between Baldwin and Adelaide, although this had passed unremarked in 1113, and he formalised the process of annulment by convoking a council in the church of the Holy Cross in Acre. ‘Sad and grieving, released by synodal law from the marriage bond, the lady sailed back to Sicily’, while Baldwin, Albert claimed, exercised ‘wonderful abstinence and chastity’ from then onward. Thus, although the two writers differed on theexact sequence of events, they agreed that the king’s illness was a precipitating factor in his repudiation of Adelaide. Certainly, he may have felt the prick of conscience and wanted to die absolved of his sins. Nevertheless, it is probable that there was also considerable pressure from his vassals and the senior clergy: the marriage to Adelaide had not provided the king with an heir, and according to the terms of the agreement Roger of Sicily would inherit the kingdom of Jerusalem if the king were to die while the marriage endured. The reminder of the king’s mortality made the matter of the succession urgent, and it is inconceivable that the matter was dropped as soon as the king made a recovery. In the short term, Baldwin appeared to regain full health, and with his accustomed energy he was mindful that two coastal cities remained unconquered. First he built a castle called ‘Scandalion’ within five miles of Tyre and garrisoned it ‘to confine the city’. He then embarked on a major expedition early in 1118 aimed, so Albert said, at conquering Egypt and thus removing its support for Ascalon that threatened pilgrims going to and from Jerusalem. [...]

The accounts of Guibert and William, the one separated by distance and the other by time from the scandal, share certain features, most importantly the legitimacy of Baldwin’s marriage to Arda so that the separation a thoro was not an annulment, which was the only way Baldwin would be free to take a third wife. Yet Baldwin did not seek dissolution of the marriage from the pope. Admittedly, it would be difficult because the usual convenient ground, consanguinity, was not available. Nevertheless, the curia was likely to be sympathetic, especially if adultery could be proven. (Notably, non-consummation does not seem to have been considered, at least before Mayer.) In this interpretation of Guibert’s tale and as made explicit by William, the motif of chasing the unpaid dowry in Constantinoplerecurs. It seems likely that failure to lay his hands on Arda’s dowry in full was the real reason behind Baldwin’s repudiation of his wife. Importantly, by consigning his wife to a nunnery, Baldwin was abandoning hope of engendering an heir. For somewhere between five and ten years he lived, apparently, a celibate life.

Baldwin’s bigamous marriage to Adelaide of Sicily appears ill advised on almost every level. It is easy to interpret it as a last desperate attempt to make a political alliance that would bring wealth and other resources for the defence of the kingdom. In the short term, it was successful in this: the resources Adelaide brought with her to Jerusalem were described towards the end of the previous chapter, along with Baldwin’s rejection of her four years later. There is no information about how much time the royal couple spent together. On this and the whole subject of Baldwin’s third marriage the testimony of William of Malmesbury is interesting, although – or because – it differs so radically from William of Tyre’s. First, while conceding that the match was to make good Baldwin’s losses, he wrote explicitly that it was ‘for legitimate marriage’ (ad legitimum conubium). William agreed with the other chroniclers about the great riches Adelaide brought with her ‘to the king’s bedroom’, but added rather sourly ‘where the woman had amassed such infinite piles of precious goods from might seem a matter of wonder to anyone’. Baldwin ‘admitted her to his marriage bed’ (illam thoro recepit) but dismissed her soon afterwards. The reason for this, ‘they said’ (aiunt), was that Last years and legacy she was afflicted by an incurable illness and a cancer had consumed her genitals. From this William concluded: ‘One thing is certain, the king was without offspring; it was no wonder if a man for whom to be at leisure was to become unwell shrank from wifely embraces and spent his whole life in battles.’ The inescapable ambiguity is whether Baldwin dreaded all wifely embraces, or only Adelaide’s, as appears to be the implication. However that may be, and even if the story of the cancer, which William reported as hearsay, is completely untrue, William may have encapsulated a truth: throughout his reign Baldwin’s energies were absorbed by constant military campaigns, and in his last years he may have been suffering increasingly from illness whenever a pause from them allowed.

Susan B. Edgington, Baldwin I of Jerusalem, 1100-1118, p. 167; 174-175; 184-185

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