[Swordmaker]

The fact that the Shroud has no history prior to late medieval times is damning in itself.

Actually, there is quite a bit of history for the Shroud prior to late medieval times including a drawing of it in the Hungarian Pray Codex which is accurately dated to the 12th Century... 150 years prior to the first display of the Shroud in our documented history. Another example is a medallion showing the Shroud accurately dated to the 11th Century. There is also the Sermon of Gregory Referendarius, the Arch Deacon of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, in which he accurately describes the Shroud as showing the nude body, both front and back. Gregory's sermon was delivered on the occasion of the Image of Edessa being brought to Constantinople on August 15th 944... 10th Century.

The inventory of the Hagia Sophia included "The Shroud of our Lord" at the time of the sacking of Constantinople by French Knights during the 4th Crusade. One of the primary knights in the leadership of the 4th Crusade was one Geoffrey de Charny... 200 years later the Shroud turns up in the possession of one Geoffrey de Charney.

The younger de Charney was no ordinary knight. He was the author of the French Code of Chivalry and was also the King Philip VI's Standard Bearer, the exemplary knight who had been selected by the King to fight at his side and carry the King's banner in battle.

[SpringheelJack]

I don’t think those connections to the modern Shroud are very well-founded, but even if they were, it does not change the objection. A thousand years of silence is damning.

[maine-iac7]

Geoffrey de Charney.

I started inserting mentions of the Knights Templar in a previous post - but decided it was going to bring too much ire on my head and it's getting close to my old fashioned hot chocolate, bed time...

I have/do so, enjoy all the subjects that have found their way into this thread, because they are all entwined in such a fascinating way. But I was afraid if I brought up Geoffrey - a Knights Templar who was burned at the stake with Jacques de Molay in 1314 - it would then lead to the House of Savoy - and on and on -

people get awfully upset if you mention anything that is "NOT IN THE SCIPTURES"

[roamer_1]

The inventory of the Hagia Sophia included "The Shroud of our Lord" at the time of the sacking of Constantinople by French Knights during the 4th Crusade. One of the primary knights in the leadership of the 4th Crusade was one Geoffrey de Charny... 200 years later the Shroud turns up in the possession of one Geoffrey de Charney.

One might add that the pollen (or perhaps dirt?) analysis of the shroud confirmed it's presence in Constantinople for a protracted period...