Remembering Lepanto

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Lepanto- the last big battle at sea using "oared" ships. In the 16th century the Ottoman Empire, spreading medieval death and destruction west across the Mediterranean, threatened Christianity and trade. No single country had the power to halt its advance and so a coalition between Spain, Venice, the Vatican, Naples and the Savoy called the Holy League formed. The 26 year old Don Juan de Austria, in the flagship ‘La Real’, led the Christian fleet against the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

This painting of the battle is in the Map Room of the Vatican Museums- Marky was very interested....

At dawn, on October 7, 1571, as recorded in the Vatican Archives, Pope Pius V, accompanied by a group of the faithful, entered the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray the Rosary and ask Our Lady to intercede for a Catholic victory. Meanwhile rosaries were being prayed all over Europe as the Catholic and Muslim fleets battled far away in the Gulf of Lepanto. Later in the day, the Pope is said to have suddenly interrupted his business with some Cardinals, and looking up, cried out, "A truce to business! Our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just given the Catholic army." (1)

Over 12,000 Christian slaves that had rowed the Turkish ships were rescued by the Christians. And this is one of the most decisive battles preserving Christianity in Europe. Bells rang all over Europe and the victory was attributed to "Our Lady of Victory", and now we remember her as "Our Lady of the Rosary."

Click on this picture to enlarge it- it's amazing- it really looks like the flag is draped on a man- it pops off the painting- I remember being amazed at this in Rome-

I knew my little ancient-history-warriors-loving boy would love celebrating this day. We began by reading G.K. Chesterton's famous poem, "Lepanto", which Hillaire Belloc called Chesterton's greatest poem. Marky loved it and quoted the refrain all afternoon. A bit about the Pope calling for aid- who would help? Our hero the "crownless prince" from a "nameless throne"-Don John from Austria!

... And the Pope has cast his arms abroad for agony and loss,
And called the kings of Christendom for swords about the
Cross.
The cold queen of England is looking in the glass;
The shadow of the Valois is yawning at the Mass;
From evening isles fantastical rings faint the Spanish gun,
And the Lord upon the Golden Horn is laughing in the sun.

Dim drums throbbing, in the hills half heard,
Where only on a nameless throne a crownless prince has stirred,
Where, risen from a doubtful seat and half attainted stall,
The last knight of Europe takes weapons from the wall,
The last and lingering troubadour to whom the bird has sung,
That once went singing southward when all the world was young.
In that enormous silence, tiny and unafraid,
Comes up along a winding road the noise of the Crusade.
Strong gongs groaning as the guns boom far,
Don John of Austria is going to the war, ......

After reading the poem, Marky colored a sheet with a galley on it and read this cartoon I found that describes the battle in detail....





Then we decided to make some boats! Making sails for our fleet....



We decided my blue porcelain plate looked like the sea...



Mommy may have eaten two "boats" during this craft. Marky kept saying "Mommy, don't eat my ships!" :)





Such a super fun day with my boy. I tried and tried to get Julia to do this with us-but she was on a mission to find worms and caterpillars ("callipitters"). Mission accomplished-



"Mommy look- the caterpillars have red faces and chompers!"



Tucker slept through all of this, but here are some Charliebear pictures for your viewing pleasure-






Have a good weekend!