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Ferdinando’s Deaths |
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Ferdinando of Syracuse is a historical figure mentioned
in some Christian texts about the Crusades. Very little information is
provided: we know he was not noble and he served as a soldier, but when Denis
d'Aguilard conquered al-Hamra (later called
Rougegarde), he became Count of Arram. He escaped
capture at the Battle of Hattin, but was accused of treason. The charge was
later dropped. Ferdinando is also mentioned in some Arab sources,
which provide some additional information: when he was a soldier, he
accompanied Denis d'Aguilard on the expedition
against the bandits operating in the Antioch area, fought in various battles
between Christians and Muslims, and was a bandit for a time in the territory
of Jabal al-Jadid. In Arab oral tradition, Ferdinando plays a prominent
role: he embodies the brutal Christian, sexually gifted and prey to violent
desires, which drive him to rape captured enemies. Stories soon began to be told of Ferdinando being
killed by Arabs or Christians themselves, in a variety of ways. |
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The Count’s man I-II |
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The Bandits III |
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The Bandits IV-V-VI |
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The River VII The Fire VIII |
