saracens

Ancient Saracens - Saracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs - In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to i

Early and medieval Christian literature: Eusebius and Epiphanius Scholasticus, in their Christian histories, place Saracens east of the Gulf of Aqaba but beyond the Roman province of Arabia and mention them as Ishmaelites through Kedar; thus, they are outside the promise given to Abraham and his descendants through Isaac and also therefore, in Christian theology, beyond a privileged place in the family of nations or divine dispensation. The Jews viewed them as pagans and polytheists in ancient times and in later Christian times they became associated with cruel tyrants from early Christian history such as: Herod the Great, Herod Antipas and Agrippa I. Christian writings, such as those by Origen, viewed them as heretics who had to be brought into the orthodox fold. To the Christian Saint Jerome the Arabs, who were also considered in Christian theology as Ishmaelites, were also seen to fit the definition of Saracens; pagan tent-dwelling raiders of the lands on the eastern fringes of the Roman empire. -- The term Saracen carried the connotation of people living on the fringes of settled society, living off raids on towns and villages, and eventually became equated with both the "tent-dwelling" Bedouin as well as sedentary Arabs. Church writers of the period commonly describe Saracen raids on monasteries and their killing of monks. The term and the negative image of Saracens was in popular usage in both the Greek east as well as the Latin west throughout the Middle Ages. With the advent of Islam, in the Arabian peninsula, during the seventh century among the Arabs, the term's strong association with Arabs tied the term closely with not just race and culture, but also the religion. The rise of the Arab Empire and the ensuing hostility with the Byzantine Empire saw itself expressed as conflict between Islam and Christianity and the association of the term with Islam was further accentuated both during and after the Crusades. -- John of Damascus, in a polemical work typical of this attitude described the Saracens in the early 8th century thus: There is also the people-deceiving cult (threskeia) of the Ishmaelites, the forerunner of the Antichrist, which prevails until now. It derives from Ishmael, who was born to Abraham from Hagar, wherefore they are called Hagarenes and Ishmaelites. And they call them Saracens, inasmuch as they were sent away empty-handed by Sarah; for it was said to the angel by Hagar: "Sarah has sent me away empty-handed" (cf. Book of Genesis xxi. 10, 14).



  • Christian Church History Study
  • 2. 313 A.D. to 1521 A.D. - Revised Rome and the Holy Roman Empire

saracens

Wikipedia: Charlemagne (742 - 28 January 814 A.D.), also known as Charles the Great - was King of the Franks [German Tribes] from 768 A.D. - The conquest of Italy brought Charlemagne in contact with the Saracens [Muslims] who, at the time (799 A.D.), cont

Wars with the Moors [Muslims]: The conquest of Italy brought Charlemagne in contact with the Saracens who, at the time, controlled the Mediterranean. Pippin, his son, was much occupied with Saracens in Italy. Charlemagne conquered Corsica and Sardinia at an unknown date and in 799 the Balearic Islands. The islands were often attacked by Saracen pirates, but the counts of Genoa and Tuscany (Boniface) kept them at bay with large fleets until the end of Charlemagne's reign. Charlemagne even had contact with the caliphal court in Baghdad. In 797 (or possibly 801), the caliph of Baghdad, Harun al-Rashid, presented Charlemagne with an Asian elephant named Abul-Abbas and a clock. -- In Hispania [Spain], the struggle against the Moors continued unabated throughout the latter half of his reign. His son Louis was in charge of the Spanish border. In 785, his men captured Gerona permanently and extended Frankish control into the Catalan littoral for the duration of Charlemagne's reign (and much longer, it remained nominally Frankish until the Treaty of Corbeil in 1258). The Muslim chiefs in the northeast of Islamic Spain were constantly revolting against Córdoban authority, and they often turned to the Franks for help. The Frankish border was slowly extended until 795, when Gerona, Cardona, Ausona, and Urgel were united into the new Spanish March, within the old duchy of Septimania. -- In 797 Barcelona, the greatest city of the region, fell to the Franks when Zeid, its governor, rebelled against Córdoba and, failing, handed it to them. The Umayyad authority recaptured it in 799. However, Louis of Aquitaine marched the entire army of his kingdom over the Pyrenees and besieged it for two years, wintering there from 800 to 801, when it capitulated. The Franks continued to press forward against the emir. They took Tarragona in 809 and Tortosa in 811. The last conquest brought them to the mouth of the Ebro and gave them raiding access to Valencia, prompting the Emir al-Hakam I to recognize their conquests in 812 A.D.



  • Christian Church History Study
  • 2. 313 A.D. to 1521 A.D. - Revised Rome and the Holy Roman Empire

saracens

Ealing beat Saracens in Premiership Rugby Cup

Championship highfliers Ealing beat Premiership side Saracens 29-19 in the opening round of the Premiership Rugby Cup.




saracens

Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje's future with Saracens up in the air with both yet to sign new deals

England stars Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola are yet to commit to playing for Saracens in the Championship next season. Two French clubs have already expressed interest in Itoje.




saracens

Itoje and Mako Vunipola will stay at Saracens, believes England coach Mitchell

  • Sarries players urged to focus on international future
  • ‘I’m quite confident that they will make good decisions’

Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola have been urged to make “good decisions” for their international careers by the England defence coach, John Mitchell, with both players yet to commit to Saracens next season.

Itoje had hoped to receive dispensation to continue his England career while spending next season on loan in France at Racing 92 rather than in the Championship with relegated Saracens. However, that move was blocked by the other Premiership clubs since it did not meet “exceptional circumstances”, the loophole that allows England’s head coach, Eddie Jones, to select overseas-based players in the event of an injury crisis.

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saracens

Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje's future with Saracens up in the air with both yet to sign new deals

England stars Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola are yet to commit to playing for Saracens in the Championship next season. Two French clubs have already expressed interest in Itoje.




saracens

Mako Vunipola cleared to train with Saracens despite England's coronavirus fears

Mako Vunipola has been cleared to train with Saracens despite being stood down by England due to fears surrounding the coronavirus. 




saracens

Vunipola starts for Saracens despite being stood down from England duty over coronavirus fears

Mako Vunipola has been named in the Saracens starting side to face Leicester Tigers this weekend despite being stood down from England duty over coronavirus fears.




saracens

Bristol seal sensational loan move for Saracens duo Ben Earl and Max Malins

WILL KELLEHER: Bristol have pulled off another transfer coup by signing young Saracens duo Ben Earl and Max Malins on loan for a year from next season.




saracens

Ben Earl signs new deal at relegated Saracens before sealing season-long loan to Bristol

England flanker Ben Earl has extended his Saracens stay until 2023 but will spend next season on loan at Bristol.




saracens

Racing 92 30-10 Saracens: Under-fire Sarries begin Champions Cup with battering in France

Saracens' case for their defence fell at La Defense as the besieged Barnet bashers were battered by Racing 92. The reigning Champions Cup holders took their biggest continental loss in two years.




saracens

Stuart Hogg reveals frustration at Saracens salary cap controversy

Stuart Hogg admits that if his Exeter Chiefs side win the Premiership, people will believe they triumphed only because of Saracens' hefty points deduction for breaching the salary cap.




saracens

Mako Vunipola cleared to train with Saracens despite England's coronavirus fears

Mako Vunipola has been cleared to train with Saracens despite being stood down by England due to fears surrounding the coronavirus. 




saracens

Vunipola starts for Saracens despite being stood down from England duty over coronavirus fears

Mako Vunipola has been named in the Saracens starting side to face Leicester Tigers this weekend despite being stood down from England duty over coronavirus fears.




saracens

Bristol seal sensational loan move for Saracens duo Ben Earl and Max Malins

WILL KELLEHER: Bristol have pulled off another transfer coup by signing young Saracens duo Ben Earl and Max Malins on loan for a year from next season.




saracens

Mako Vunipola back with a bang for Saracens after coronavirus concerns

Mako Vunipola was 'gutted' at missing out on a 60th Test cap due to England's decision to stand him down over the coronavirus scare. He played for Saracens on Saturday instead.




saracens

Premiership Rugby clubs BLOCK plan to allow Saracens Itoje to play on loan at Racing 92 next season

Maro Itoje has had a one-year loan move to French side Racing 92 blocked by Premiership Rugby clubs after Saracens relegation from the English topflight.




saracens

Billy Vunipola confirms he will STAY at Saracens despite relegation over breach of salary cap rules

Billly Vunipola has ended speculation about his future by confirming that he will stay at Saracens next season, despite their demotion to the Championship.




saracens

Billy Vunipola on his Lions and World Cup dreams... and why Saracens need to be humble

EXCLUSIVE BY CHRIS FOY: Vunipola is glad Jones will continue to provoke trepidation and inspiration among players because he believes the Australian can lead them to World Cup glory.




saracens

Saracens take drastic financial measures as Owen Farrell defers £300,000 of salary until September 

The English league champions confirmed last night they had taken advantage of the government's furlough scheme - meaning all their players' wages are now part-funded by the state.




saracens

HOT OR NOT: Rory McIlroy can beat anyone... while Saracens have been lucky

It's Hot or Not time again as Sportsmail's Riath Al-Samarrai reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold this week.




saracens

Mako Vunipola back with a bang for Saracens after coronavirus concerns

Mako Vunipola was 'gutted' at missing out on a 60th Test cap due to England's decision to stand him down over the coronavirus scare. He played for Saracens on Saturday instead.




saracens

Premiership Rugby clubs BLOCK plan to allow Saracens Itoje to play on loan at Racing 92 next season

Maro Itoje has had a one-year loan move to French side Racing 92 blocked by Premiership Rugby clubs after Saracens relegation from the English topflight.




saracens

Saracens could AVOID relegation in doomsday scenario as a number of clubs could go bust

EXCLUSIVE: Saracens might be saved from Premiership relegation in a doomsday scenario where a clutch of clubs go bust due to a lack of income during the coronavirus chaos.




saracens

England star Billy Vunipola commits to stay at Saracens for season in the Championship

England international Billy Vunipola insists he is 'definitely staying' at Saracens and hopes to help the crisis-hit club secure an immediate return to the Gallagher Premiership.




saracens

Billy Vunipola confirms he will STAY at Saracens despite relegation over breach of salary cap rules

Billly Vunipola has ended speculation about his future by confirming that he will stay at Saracens next season, despite their demotion to the Championship.




saracens

Saracens veteran Richard Wigglesworth faces uncertain future as he comes to the end of his contract

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY WILL KELLEHER: For players like Richard Wigglesworth nearing the end of their contracts, lockdown life has left them in limbo over what happens next.




saracens

Billy Vunipola on his Lions and World Cup dreams... and why Saracens need to be humble

EXCLUSIVE BY CHRIS FOY: Vunipola is glad Jones will continue to provoke trepidation and inspiration among players because he believes the Australian can lead them to World Cup glory.




saracens

Saracens take drastic financial measures as Owen Farrell defers £300,000 of salary until September 

The English league champions confirmed last night they had taken advantage of the government's furlough scheme - meaning all their players' wages are now part-funded by the state.




saracens

Exeter must pick up the Euro baton after Saracens saga

CHRIS FOY: Now that Saracens are destined to accept their punishment for salary cap breaches, their priority will be Premiership survival, so the onus is on Exeter to lead the English challenge in Europe.




saracens

Saracens will beat drop despite 35-point deduction and that is grim news for Leicester Tigers 

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: It may be too soon for bold predictions, but. Saracens won't be relegated - not unless the mid-season audit of their accounts uncovers another salary cap breach.




saracens

CHRIS FOY: Bust-up between Saracens and Munster players and staff shows game is losing core values

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Both Saracens and Munster will have to submit statements about the brawl between players and staff that took place at Allianz Park on Saturday.




saracens

The handling of the Saracens scandal proves that the governance of the sport is an utter shambles.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY SPECIAL: Rugby is still amateur. The supreme professionalism being displayed on the field is not being matched in the corridors of power.




saracens

Wales and British and Irish Lions full back Liam Williams 'excited' to join Scarlets from Saracens

The 28-year-old has been at English and European champions Saracens since 2017, but in 2020 the full back will rejoin the Scarlets where he will earn in the region of £400,000 a year.