Nine statues grace the old city hall building (south side-link see last paragraph) in Cologne, Germany and stand tall in their contribution to the development of the ideal hero. Sculpted in the 13th century these valiants are the earliest known representations of a group of champions who best personified the ideals of chivalry as described by Jacques de Longuyon in the French epic poem, Vows of the Peacock.
Worthies (link to poem) is the label assigned to these select historical, scriptural, mythological or semi-legendary characters who were identified in the Middle Ages to represent all facets of the perfectly chivalrous warrior.
The study of the life of each would thus form a good education for the aspiring young man because as a team they exemplified all the moral virtues and courage necessary for soldiership.
This artwork ties directly into my current book club selection, How to Destroy The Imagination of Your Child, where the author Anthony Esolen supplies the reader with a host of books, novels, epics, tales, and narratives which, if read, will inform (NOT destroy) the imagination and prepare it for a life of service.
Allow me to introduce the Worthies who compose a triad of triads true to medieval symmetry ~
Hector
Alexander the Great
Julius Caesar
Joshua
David
Judas Maccabeus
King Arthur
Charlemagne
Godfrey of Bouillon
The first triad is pagan; the second represents Old Testament Jews, and the third Christian princes.
May the literature inspired by these personages act as refreshing gargoyles spilling stimulating springs of ideas into the hearts and minds of our up-and-coming generation of heroes.
And thanks to Cindy for hostessing this fun online book club and for having the insight to choose such a worthy volume.
Bonus Link ~
Read about Millais' Boyhood of Raleigh
Dana, I appreciate you greatly for joining in the discussion and taking it up a notch with your excellent questions which spur the whole thing forward to another level altogether.
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