Militant Monks Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Knights Templar, a military order of monks answerable only to the Popehimself, were baseed in 1118. Their primary responsibility, at leastinitially, was to provide protection to Christians making pilgrimages to theHoly Land. They rose in power, both religious and secular, to become one ofthe richest and most decently entities in Christendom. By the time of theirdisbandment in 1307, this highly secretive organization controlled vastwealth, a fleet of merchant ships, and castles and estates spanning theentire Mediterranean area.When the crusaders captured Jerusalem from the Muslims in 1099, the Churchencouraged all faithful Christians to visit that holy city in order toaffirm their faith. The area, however, was still subject to sporadic attacksfrom various non-Christian factions. A small group of knights, led by Hughde Payens, vowed to protect the pilgrims. The group was grantedquasi-official status by King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, who allowed themquarters in a annex of the roya l palace near the Temple of Solomon. It isfrom this initial posting that the order derived its name. They took thestandard vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and were bound to the rulesof the Augustinian order. Upton-Ward 1The order languished in near-anonimity for several years, patronage generouscontri furtherions from various European personages. In 1126, Count Hugh ofChampagne, having donated his estates to Bernard of Clairvaux for use inbuilding a monestary for the Cistercian order, arrived in Jerusalem to jointhe Templars. This action indirectly cause Bernard to support the newlychosen advocacy of his benefactor. He wrote to the count, "If, for Godswork, you have changed yourself from count to knight and from rich to poor,I congratulate you." Howarth 49In the year 1126, King Baldwin found two reasons for wanting officialrecognition of the order. First, he had, perhaps prematurely, bestowed uponHugh de Payens the title of Master of the Temple. Second, the king had theopportunity to launch an attack on the city of Damascus, but he needed moreknights. Papal recognition would allow open recruiting in Europe for theorder. King Baldwin sent a letter to Bernard of Clairvaux, the ordersprimary patron, ulterior known as Saint Bernard, asking him to petition thePope for official recognition of the order. Howarth 50-51 The Kingsletter ... ...ghts Templar. The final blow, however, was probablythree-fold a general unpopularity of the order among the Europeanaristocracy, due in part to jealousy a chronic shortage in the Frenchtreasury, despite heavy taxation and Master de Molays refusal to considera merger of the Templars with the Hospitallers, as suggested by the Pope.The fact remains, however, that no evidence of heresy was ever found.Burman/Templars 180An order founded by nine knights in Jerusalem came to amass enormous wealthand power, which speaks well of their integrity and discretion. They becamethe "shock troops" of the Holy See. When they lost their original mission ofprotecting pilgrims upon the fall of Jerusalem, their downfall becameinevitable. Sinclair 37Works CitedBurman, Edward. The Inquisition. juvenile York Dorset, 1984.--. The Templars. Rochester, VT Destiny, 1986.Howarth, Stephen. The Knights Templar. New York Dorset, 1982.Payne, Robert. The History of Islam. New York Dorset, 1987.Robinson, John J. Born in Blood. New York Evans, 1989.Sinclair, Andrew. The Sword and the Grail. New York Crown, 1992.Upton-Ward, J. M. The Rule of the Templars. Suffolk Boydell, 1992.