New Letter: Balian of Ibelin & the Siege of Jerusalem
The Ridley Scott movie changed much of the hero's back story
The Balian of Ibelin letter is now being printed and we will be sending it to subscribed families in the coming days.
It tells the true story of Saladin’s Siege of Jerusalem in the year 1187, and the impossible choice that Balian faced:
Save his family or defend the people of the city.
You may know Balian from the Ridley Scott film, Kingdom of Heaven, but the true story is quite different.
I love the director’s cut of the film, and I love Ridley as a director – but unfortunately he places no faith in historical accuracy.
In real life, his back story (he was a nobleman), his wife and family (they were royalty), and the fact that he made (and broke) an oath to Saladin is all different.
The purpose of the story is to bring home to children the virtue of Phronesis.
What is Phronesis?
“Phronesis is a Greek term meaning “practical wisdom” or “practical judgment”. Unlike theoretical knowledge, it is the ability to determine the right course of action in a specific situation, weighing ethical values, context, and consequences to achieve the best possible human outcome.”
The letter includes a hero factsheet and virtue card explaining the virtue in greater detail.
We hope you enjoy it,
Matt & Monica
Founders
Letters For Little Heroes
P.S. If your family hasn’t yet subscribed, get your first letter now – for a limited time only – for just 1.99 + the cost of a stamp.