What do the Three Wise Men and the Crusades have in common? Discover how medieval kings, knights, and emperors drew inspiration from the Magi’s journey, transforming their relics and symbolism into a powerful testament of faith, humility, and sacrifice.
By Lorris Chevalier
The Three Wise Men—Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar—serve in the medieval imagination as models of faith and humility. Their journey to honour the Christ child symbolises a spiritual transformation, much like the Crusade. It is seen as a Christological pilgrimage—a spiritual journey aimed at emulating Christ’s life and actions—where the crusader, renouncing status and wealth, strives to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
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The Crusades were not only military campaigns but also deeply spiritual journeys for medieval Christians. They were driven by a desire to reclaim sacred sites, demonstrate devotion, and secure salvation. Within this context, the Magi became a powerful symbol, offering inspiration to those embarking on their own transformative journeys.
Otto IV, the Fourth Wise Man
Reliquary of the Magi in Cologne – Photo by Larry Koester / Flickr
German Emperor Otto IV (1209-1218), excommunicated by Pope Innocent III, appears unexpectedly on the reliquary of the Magi in Cologne. He depicts himself as a humble fourth king, forgoing his crown and standing at a modest distance, offering a simple gift.
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This powerful gesture illustrates his desire to integrate into the biblical mystery and to present himself to Christ with genuine faith, stripped of worldly power.
This depiction is deeply significant. It resonates with the spirit of the Crusades, where even kings and lords abandoned their privileges to become humble servants of faith. By associating himself with the Magi, Otto IV underscores the universal vocation of crusaders: to follow the Magi, lay symbolic offerings at Christ’s feet, and tread where He once walked, regardless of the cost.
The Magi and Communal Living
In medieval art, particularly on sculpted capitals in churches, a recurring image shows the Three Wise Men sharing a single blanket. Likely inspired by an apocryphal Gospel—texts not included in the official Biblical canon but widely circulated in medieval times—this detail highlights the humility of these kings, forced by their journey to embrace a rustic and communal way of life.
Dream of Three Magi. Capital from Autun Cathedral in France -Photo by Cancre / Wikimedia Commons
Accustomed to the splendour of their courts, they embraced a modest existence—a potent symbol for crusaders who left behind their castles and silken robes to embark on the arduous path to the Holy Land.
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This scene takes place after their visit to the Christ child and before their return by another route to avoid Herod (Matthew 2:12). It reflects the privations that lords-turned-crusaders would also face. The Christological journey demanded humility and endurance.
The Peculiar Magi’s Squire and the Spirit of the Crusades
Throughout the 12th century, there was a notable transformation in the iconography of the Epiphany, reflecting the spirit of the Crusades that permeated the era. The three Magi, originally depicted with camels, became three Kings mounted on horses, emphasising their royal and chivalric status.
An emerging figure also appeared in this royal procession: the peculiar Magi’s squire, caring for the three frothing mounts. This character, who reins in the impetuous horses at the end of the twelve-day journey, symbolises not only the speed of the journey—highlighted by medieval commentators—but also the zeal of the Magi, mirroring the fervent commitment of the time towards the Crusade.
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The Three Magi and Galopin – Frescoes of the Crypt of the Church of St. Laurentius & Our Lady, Gargilesse-Dampierre, France – photo by Zairon / Wikimedia Commons
In church art, this squire is given a name: Galopin, known in epic literature. Here, he serves as a symbolic counterpart to the royal homage depicted above him. A similar figure appears in other contexts, underscoring the goal of the Epiphany: to offer tribute and gifts, much like the offerings made by the Crusaders.
We find him in courtly scenes, where his restraint of the horses’ fervour serves as a metaphor for mastering one’s passions. This imagery reminds viewers of the discipline necessary for the Crusade.
Furthermore, his presence near the lover offering his heart to the lady echoes the submission of the Magi, paralleling the knights’ submission to the cause of the Crusade. The evocative role of the squire is also clear in donation scenes, where the donor aims to be assimilated as one of the Magi.
In this way, the Magi’s squire becomes a true symbol of the Epiphany, embodying both religious devotion and the spirit of the Crusades, before disappearing in the latter half of the 14th century.
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The Magi’s Relics: Symbols of Faith and Crusade
The relics of the Magi, transferred from Milan to Cologne by Frederick Barbarossa in 1164, cemented the connection between the Magi and the Crusader spirit. Barbarossa himself, a crusader, died en route to the Holy Land during the Third Crusade.
Photo by Hugh Llewelyn / Flickr
By bringing these relics to Cologne, he transformed the city into a major pilgrimage site, where crusaders sought inspiration and blessing before departing.
The reliquary of the Magi, adorned with gold, copper, and precious stones, symbolises both divine glory and human sacrifice. Crusaders venerating these relics saw themselves as successors to the Magi: sacred travellers prepared to offer their lives and possessions to Christ.
The Journey as a Christological Pilgrimage
By following the star, the Magi charted a spiritual path that crusaders sought to emulate: to tread where Christ once walked. Every step of the Crusade became an echo of Christ’s actions, and every crusader saw themselves as a pilgrim of faith, called to humility and service.
The shared blanket, the flight from Herod, and the offering of gifts all symbolise this Christological quest. By setting aside their royal status, the Magi exemplify that true greatness lies in humility and devotion.
Legacy and Inspiration
Through their humility and faith, the Magi embody the ideal of the crusader. Their story, immortalised in art, relics, and literature, continues to inspire the great of this world to relinquish their crowns and privileges and kneel before Christ.
Otto IV, by portraying himself as a humble fourth Magus, exemplifies this spiritual transformation. He reminds us that even emperors and kings must kneel, stripped of their power, to offer their hearts to Christ. This timeless image stands as a profound testament to self-abandonment in pursuit of a higher ideal.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
Further Readings:
Térence Le Deschault de Monredon, “L’écuyer des rois mages,” Iconographica XIV (2015), 128-140
What do the Three Wise Men and the Crusades have in common? Discover how medieval kings, knights, and emperors drew inspiration from the Magi’s journey, transforming their relics and symbolism into a powerful testament of faith, humility, and sacrifice.
By Lorris Chevalier
The Three Wise Men—Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar—serve in the medieval imagination as models of faith and humility. Their journey to honour the Christ child symbolises a spiritual transformation, much like the Crusade. It is seen as a Christological pilgrimage—a spiritual journey aimed at emulating Christ’s life and actions—where the crusader, renouncing status and wealth, strives to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
The Crusades were not only military campaigns but also deeply spiritual journeys for medieval Christians. They were driven by a desire to reclaim sacred sites, demonstrate devotion, and secure salvation. Within this context, the Magi became a powerful symbol, offering inspiration to those embarking on their own transformative journeys.
Otto IV, the Fourth Wise Man
German Emperor Otto IV (1209-1218), excommunicated by Pope Innocent III, appears unexpectedly on the reliquary of the Magi in Cologne. He depicts himself as a humble fourth king, forgoing his crown and standing at a modest distance, offering a simple gift.
This powerful gesture illustrates his desire to integrate into the biblical mystery and to present himself to Christ with genuine faith, stripped of worldly power.
This depiction is deeply significant. It resonates with the spirit of the Crusades, where even kings and lords abandoned their privileges to become humble servants of faith. By associating himself with the Magi, Otto IV underscores the universal vocation of crusaders: to follow the Magi, lay symbolic offerings at Christ’s feet, and tread where He once walked, regardless of the cost.
The Magi and Communal Living
In medieval art, particularly on sculpted capitals in churches, a recurring image shows the Three Wise Men sharing a single blanket. Likely inspired by an apocryphal Gospel—texts not included in the official Biblical canon but widely circulated in medieval times—this detail highlights the humility of these kings, forced by their journey to embrace a rustic and communal way of life.
Accustomed to the splendour of their courts, they embraced a modest existence—a potent symbol for crusaders who left behind their castles and silken robes to embark on the arduous path to the Holy Land.
This scene takes place after their visit to the Christ child and before their return by another route to avoid Herod (Matthew 2:12). It reflects the privations that lords-turned-crusaders would also face. The Christological journey demanded humility and endurance.
The Peculiar Magi’s Squire and the Spirit of the Crusades
Throughout the 12th century, there was a notable transformation in the iconography of the Epiphany, reflecting the spirit of the Crusades that permeated the era. The three Magi, originally depicted with camels, became three Kings mounted on horses, emphasising their royal and chivalric status.
An emerging figure also appeared in this royal procession: the peculiar Magi’s squire, caring for the three frothing mounts. This character, who reins in the impetuous horses at the end of the twelve-day journey, symbolises not only the speed of the journey—highlighted by medieval commentators—but also the zeal of the Magi, mirroring the fervent commitment of the time towards the Crusade.
In church art, this squire is given a name: Galopin, known in epic literature. Here, he serves as a symbolic counterpart to the royal homage depicted above him. A similar figure appears in other contexts, underscoring the goal of the Epiphany: to offer tribute and gifts, much like the offerings made by the Crusaders.
We find him in courtly scenes, where his restraint of the horses’ fervour serves as a metaphor for mastering one’s passions. This imagery reminds viewers of the discipline necessary for the Crusade.
Furthermore, his presence near the lover offering his heart to the lady echoes the submission of the Magi, paralleling the knights’ submission to the cause of the Crusade. The evocative role of the squire is also clear in donation scenes, where the donor aims to be assimilated as one of the Magi.
In this way, the Magi’s squire becomes a true symbol of the Epiphany, embodying both religious devotion and the spirit of the Crusades, before disappearing in the latter half of the 14th century.
The Magi’s Relics: Symbols of Faith and Crusade
The relics of the Magi, transferred from Milan to Cologne by Frederick Barbarossa in 1164, cemented the connection between the Magi and the Crusader spirit. Barbarossa himself, a crusader, died en route to the Holy Land during the Third Crusade.
By bringing these relics to Cologne, he transformed the city into a major pilgrimage site, where crusaders sought inspiration and blessing before departing.
The reliquary of the Magi, adorned with gold, copper, and precious stones, symbolises both divine glory and human sacrifice. Crusaders venerating these relics saw themselves as successors to the Magi: sacred travellers prepared to offer their lives and possessions to Christ.
The Journey as a Christological Pilgrimage
By following the star, the Magi charted a spiritual path that crusaders sought to emulate: to tread where Christ once walked. Every step of the Crusade became an echo of Christ’s actions, and every crusader saw themselves as a pilgrim of faith, called to humility and service.
The shared blanket, the flight from Herod, and the offering of gifts all symbolise this Christological quest. By setting aside their royal status, the Magi exemplify that true greatness lies in humility and devotion.
Legacy and Inspiration
Through their humility and faith, the Magi embody the ideal of the crusader. Their story, immortalised in art, relics, and literature, continues to inspire the great of this world to relinquish their crowns and privileges and kneel before Christ.
Otto IV, by portraying himself as a humble fourth Magus, exemplifies this spiritual transformation. He reminds us that even emperors and kings must kneel, stripped of their power, to offer their hearts to Christ. This timeless image stands as a profound testament to self-abandonment in pursuit of a higher ideal.
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon. Click here to view his website.
Further Readings:
Térence Le Deschault de Monredon, “L’écuyer des rois mages,” Iconographica XIV (2015), 128-140
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