The foundation of the military orders: Templars and Hospitallers; their…

The idea

The military orders were essential to Outremer's survival, blending monasticism with martial duty. The Knights Templar, founded around 1119 by Hugh of Payns, initially protected pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem. The Knights Hospitaller, originating as a medical dispensary, militarised during the 1130s. Religiously, both orders lived under strict monastic rules, taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, supported by papal privileges. Militarily, they provided a permanent, elite standing army, garrisoning vital frontier castles such as Krak des Chevaliers. Economically, they developed vast networks of estates across Western Europe, generating immense wealth and resources to fund their military operations, castle building, and charitable works in the East.

What earns the marks

• Explain the origins of the Templars in pilgrim protection and the Hospitallers in medical care before their evolution into military institutions.
• Assess the military significance of the orders in providing a reliable standing army and garrisoning strategic border fortresses.
• Analyse the religious identity of the orders, noting their adherence to monastic rules and papal exemptions.
• Evaluate the economic infrastructure of the orders, specifically how Western commanderies funnelled money, horses, and manpower to the Levant.
• Discuss the impact of Bernard of Clairvaux's 'In Praise of the New Knighthood' in providing theological justification for the Templars.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming the Hospitallers were founded as a military order.

  Put it right: The Hospitallers began as a charitable organisation providing medical care to pilgrims and only gradually took on military responsibilities.

• Assuming the orders were entirely independent of the King of Jerusalem.

  Put it right: While they held papal exemptions, they frequently coordinated with and fought under the command of the King of Jerusalem in major campaigns.

• Confusing the primary source of the orders' wealth.

  Put it right: Their immense wealth did not primarily come from looting in the East, but from extensive landholdings, donations, and banking activities in Western Europe.

Exam tips

• Highlight the chronic manpower shortage in Outremer to explain why the permanent military presence of the Templars and Hospitallers was so crucial.
• Use specific examples of castles entrusted to the orders, such as Bagras for the Templars or Krak des Chevaliers for the Hospitallers, to demonstrate their defensive role.
• When discussing their religious role, mention the ideological support provided by figures like Bernard of Clairvaux to show how fighting monks were justified to the medieval mind.