Crusader Foot Soldier, 1099 AD. This illustration, along with several other pieces, were commissioned by a book publisher. This was one commission of many that I received from this publisher over 12 years. This foot soldier could be a Templar or a Hospitaller as there was little distinction between the fighting order's lower ranks. The Templars formed in 1099 AD while the Hospitallers had been in existence for much longer, they were not a fighting order until after 1099 AD. The knights of the two orders wore distinctive tunics but often, in the early days of the Crusades, they not too distinctive from each other. That came later.
Painting Specifications: Medium: Black ink Size: 3.75w x 8.0h-inches Surface: Illustration Parchment Completed: 2017