The Knights Templar held fast to the
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Austerity was the hallmark of their lives,
even going as far as disavowing their families and loved ones when they joined
the order. Fellow knights in this fraternity
were referred to as brethren, effectively creating a strict, yet rather large
extended family that followed The Rule. “The
rule enjoins severe devotional exercises, self-mortification, fasting, and
prayer, and a constant attendance at matins, vespers, and on all the services
of the church, 'that being refreshed and satisfied with heavenly food,
instructed and stablished with heavenly precepts, after the consummation of the
divine mysteries,' none might be afraid of the fight, but be prepared for the crown.”1 Among the many restrictions of the 72 chapter
Rule, feminine contact was strictly forbidden!
Image by Scott Higginbotham |
However, there was a reasoning to
what modern people would call this madness.
In addition to constant training, a newly-inducted Knight Templar was
stripped of all vestiges of his former life.
One would be “broken down”, then remade into the Templar mold. Looking back to the preceding quote, the
harshness of their lives and how they lived as brothers served to create a
culture that resulted in fearlessness in battle, unity of mind, order, and
obedience, even unto death where they would receive their heavenly crown.
These well-disciplined soldiers
could be likened to the present day US Navy SEALS or the British SAS based on
their military bearing and quiet confidence - soldiers who have been remade for a specific purpose.
“An eye-witness of the conduct of the Templars in the field tells us
that they were always foremost in the fight and the last in the retreat; that
they proceeded to battle with the greatest order, silence, and circumspection,
and carefully attended to the commands of their Master.”2
Moreover, concerning a Templar who
had been captured by Saladin around 1180 A.D., Charles G. Addison provides some
illumination into the brotherhood’s proud culture: “Saladin offered Odo de St.
Amand his liberty in exchange for the freedom of his own nephew, who was a
prisoner in the hands of the Templars; but the Master of the Temple haughtily replied,
that he would never, by his example, encourage any of his knights to be mean
enough to surrender, that a Templar ought either to vanquish or die, and that
he had nothing to give for his ransom but his girdle and his knife. The proud
spirit of Odo de St. Amand could but ill brook confinement; he languished and
died in the dungeons of Damascus, and was succeeded by Brother Arnold de
Torroge, who had filled some of the chief situations of the order in Europe.”3
But, these formidable knights were
still constrained by human limitations. There
were harsh consequences for cowardice or even having its appearance. Breaking faith on the field of battle brought
disunity and disorder, potentially poisoning the ranks. Offenders were shunned and penance was meted:
“If any one of them should by chance turn back, or bear himself less manfully
than he ought, the white mantle, the emblem of their order, is ignominiously
stripped off his shoulders, the cross worn by the fraternity is taken away from
him, and he is cast out from the fellowship of the brethren; he is compelled to
eat on the ground without a napkin or a table-cloth for the space of one year;
and the dogs who gather around him and torment him he is not permitted to drive
away. At the expiration of the year, if he be truly penitent, the Master and
the brethren restore to him the military girdle and his pristine habit and
cross, and receive him again into the fellowship and community of the brethren.”4
Photo by Scott Higginbotham |
Play the short video below for some dramatized "Templar" action and see just a glimpse of history's most fearless knights and how they pressed into the fray. Bear in mind that the scenes are violent, yet, the actors portray the discipline, zeal, and military precision previously described.
Scott Higginbotham is the author of
A Soul’s Ransom, a novel set in the fourteenth century where William de Courtenay’s mettle
is tested, weighed, and refined, and For A Thousand Generations, where Edward Leaver navigates a world where his purpose is defined with
an eye to the future.
1Addison, Charles G. (2012-01-17). The History of the Knights Templars,
the Temple Church, and the Temple (Kindle Locations 339-342). Kindle Edition.
2Addison, Charles G. (2012-01-17). The History of the Knights Templars,
the Temple Church, and the Temple (Kindle Locations 1099-1103). Kindle Edition.
3Addison, Charles G. (2012-01-17). The History of the Knights Templars,
the Temple Church, and the Temple (Kindle Locations 1160-1165). Kindle Edition.
4Addison, Charles G. (2012-01-17). The History of the Knights Templars,
the Temple Church, and the Temple (Kindle Locations 1094-1096). Kindle Edition
This is a very illuminating post, Scott. The Templars appear in Outcasts, my new novel about the Crusades and will feature more in future books. I am intrigued by the degree to which men joined the order because of a love of God, desire for battle, to be in a very exclusive club or to atone for some perceived sin. It's also fascinating that they, of all the military orders, attracted the most hatred and have endured longest in the popular imagination. Wonder why this was the case?
ReplyDeleteMartin Lake
Having just finished reading Addison's highly regarded history of the Templars, I find the Saracen view of the Templar quoted by him to be the most illuminating, pointing to exceptional bravery, dignity and devotion to the cause.
ReplyDeleteBut I love the idea that the occasional Templar could be an ante-hero, if not down right evil. Given the rigorous nature of the Rule, I am sure there were some that didn't fit the mould.
A wonderful post, Scott, and amazing video. Thanks! I've always found the Templars fascinating and am happy to learn more.
ReplyDeleteRegan
http://www.reganwalkerauthor.com
This was so interesting! Thanks for the share. I've often wondered about the Templars, how they got started, and what they were besides a special religious military group. This was illuminating.
ReplyDelete