Brethren: An Epic Adventure of the Knights Templar (61 page)

SHI’AH & SUNNI MUSLIMS:
two branches of Islam formed in the schism that arose after the death of Muhammad over the question of who should be his successor. The Sunnis, forming the majority, believed that no one could truly succeed Muhammad and appointed a caliph as leader of the Muslim community. Sunnis revere the first four caliphs appointed after Muhammad’s death, whose example they follow as the custom (
sunna
) that all Muslims should follow. Shi’ahs hold as their figure of authority the
imam
, whom they consider heir of the Prophet, descended from the bloodline of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, the fourth caliph, and the only one they revere, rejecting the first three caliphs and the traditions of Sunni belief.

SURCOAT:
a long linen or silk sleeveless garment, usually worn over mail or armor.

TAKE the CROSS:
to go on Crusade, a term derived from the cloth crosses that were handed out to those who pledged to become Crusaders.

TEUTONIC KNIGHTS:
military Order of knights, similar to the Templars and the Hospitallers, originating in Germany. The Teutonics were founded in 1198 and during their time in the Holy Land were responsible for guarding the area northeast of Acre. By the mid-thirteenth century they had conquered Prussia, which later became their base.

USCIERE:
horse-carrier ship usually comprising two decks, one of which was capable of carrying up to one hundred horses, the other of which was used for siege engines and wagons.

VAMBRACES:
armor worn to protect the forearms.

VELLUM:
parchment used for writing, most commonly taken from the skin of a calf.

VISITOR:
a post within the Temple’s hierarchy created in the thirteenth century. The Visitor, who was second only to the Grand Master, was the overlord of all the Temple’s possessions in the West.