Templar Rule and Organization: The Structure of a Military Religious Order

The Knights Templar were the most disciplined and best-organized of the medieval military religious orders, and the rule that governed them — the Latin Rule of 1129, approved at the Council of Troyes under the presidency of Cardinal Matthew of Albano, the papal legate — is one of the most distinctive documents of the medieval period. The rule was based on the Cistercian model (Bernard of Clairvaux had a hand in it), with additions specific to the military vocation of the Order. It governed every aspect of Templar life, from prayer and meals to military operations and behaviour on the battlefield. The Templar organization was international, with a hierarchy that stretched from the Grand Master in Jerusalem to the local commanders in Europe. The combination of religious devotion, military skill, and organizational efficiency made the Templars one of the most formidable forces of the medieval world.

For the broader context, see the main article on the Knights Templar, the trial of the Knights Templar, and Templar banking and finance.

The Latin Rule

The Latin Rule of the Templars, also known as the Rule of 1129, was the founding document of the Order. The rule was drawn up at the Council of Troyes by a group of ecclesiastical figures, with the Cistercian abbot Bernard of Clairvaux playing a major role. The rule was based on the Cistercian model, with additions that were specific to the military vocation of the Order.

The rule was composed of 72 articles, each of which governed a specific aspect of Templar life. The articles covered a wide range of topics, including:

The rule was austere and demanding. The Templars were to live in community, with shared property, shared meals, and shared prayer. They were forbidden to wear fine clothing, to keep personal property, or to engage in any activity that was not in keeping with their religious vocation. The rule also required them to defend the Holy Land and to fight against the enemies of Christ.

The Latin Rule was supplemented by a series of additional rules and customs, known as the retour (or retour). The retour was a collection of additional regulations and customs that had developed over the years, and that were considered to be of equal authority with the Latin Rule. The most important retour was the Hierarchical Rule, which was approved by Pope Innocent II in 1139, and which confirmed the Order’s privileges and exemptions.

The Hierarchical Structure

The Templar organization was headed by the Grand Master, who was elected for life by the Templars themselves. The Grand Master resided in Jerusalem until 1187, when the fall of the city forced him to move to other parts of the Holy Land. The Grand Master was assisted by a number of high officers, including:

The Order was divided into provinces and commanderies, each of which had its own leader and its own properties. The provinces were the major administrative divisions of the Order, and they were governed by provincial commanders. The commanderies were the basic administrative units, and they were governed by commanders. The Order had provinces in every part of Christendom, including France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Holy Land.

The Templar organization was designed to support the military vocation of the Order. The commanderies in the West provided recruits, money, and supplies, while the houses in the East were the bases for military operations. The Order’s organization was so effective that it became a model for other military religious orders, including the Knights Hospitaller and the Teutonic Knights.

The Daily Life of the Templars

The daily life of the Templars was governed by the rule and by the various customs and regulations. The Templars lived in community, with shared property, shared meals, and shared prayer. The day began with the night office, followed by the lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and compline. The Templars attended mass daily, and they were required to confess their sins regularly.

The Templars’ meals were eaten in silence, with a reader reading from the Bible or from a religious text. The food was simple and austere, with meat eaten only on certain days. The Templars were forbidden to drink wine in the morning, and they were allowed to drink only a moderate amount in the evening. The Templars’ dress was also austere: a white habit with a red cross, and a white mantle with a red cross for the knights.

The Templars’ behavior on the march was also governed by the rule. The Templars marched in silence, and they were not allowed to leave the column without permission. The Templars were forbidden to engage in trade or commerce, and they were not allowed to take prisoners for ransom. The Templars were also required to share their loot with the Order, and they were not allowed to keep any personal property.

The Templars in Battle

The Templars were the most disciplined and best-trained military force in the Holy Land. The rule governed the Templars’ behavior in battle, and it laid down specific regulations for the conduct of military operations. The Templars fought as a unit, with the brothers forming a tight formation and the squires providing support. The Templars were famous for their use of heavy cavalry, and they were a major factor in many of the engagements of the Crusades.

The Templars’ discipline in battle was a key factor in their success. The Templars were not allowed to break formation, and they were required to follow the orders of their commanders. The Templars were also required to share their loot with the Order, and they were not allowed to take personal credit for their victories. The Templars’ discipline was often contrasted with the indiscipline of the secular knights, and it was a major factor in the success of the Order.

The Templars’ military reputation was a key factor in their success. The Templars were feared by their enemies, and they were respected by their allies. The Templars’ military reputation was also a major factor in their financial success: kings, popes, and merchants were willing to entrust their money to the Order because they trusted its discipline and its reliability.

The Templar Chapter

The Templar chapter was the central governing body of the Order. The chapter met regularly, usually twice a year, and it was attended by the high officers and the provincial commanders. The chapter had the power to elect the Grand Master, to amend the rule, and to make important decisions about the Order’s affairs.

The chapter was also a religious ceremony. The chapter began with a mass, and it was marked by the reading of the rule and the discussion of important business. The chapter was also the occasion for the punishment of offenders, and the imposition of penances. The chapter was, in many ways, a combination of a religious service, a business meeting, and a court of law.

The chapter was the most important event in the Templar calendar, and it was attended by all the Templars who could be present. The chapter was an important symbol of the Order’s unity and discipline, and it was a major factor in the success of the Order. The chapter was also the occasion for the reception of new members, and for the burial of deceased brothers.

The Templar Vows

The Templars took three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience. The vow of poverty required the Templars to give up all personal property, and to share everything with the Order. The vow of chastity required the Templars to abstain from sexual relations, both inside and outside marriage. The vow of obedience required the Templars to obey the orders of their superiors, and to follow the rule.

The vows were taken in a public ceremony, in the presence of the chapter. The ceremony included the presentation of the candidate to the chapter, the reading of the rule, and the pronouncement of the vows. The ceremony was a major event in the life of the candidate, and it was a public commitment to the Order.

The vows were not always strictly observed. The trial of the Templars in 1307-1312 included charges that the Templars had violated their vows, especially the vow of chastity. The charges, however, were probably exaggerated, and they were used to justify the suppression of the Order. The vows, taken together, were a powerful symbol of the Order’s commitment to its religious vocation, and they were a major factor in the success of the Order.