Battle Bishop

Bishops, high holy men of God's Catholic church, would join armies on the battlefields of the medieval era. Not to minister to the troops they rode with, but to fight. Bishops and other high ranks were usually appointed to nobles, who would have been raised when young to fight before being pushed or chosen to become a cleric.

As they also controlled lands owned by their diocese, these noble churchmen would join their monarchs on the front lines. And although they were not required to fight, many did.

The suggestion that such war bishops did not carry bladed weapons such as arming swords so as not to spill the blood of other men is false. The French Bishops of Caliors, for example, would display their blades (used for both ritual and combat) proudly.

Sculptor: Thanh Cong Ngyuen