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The Role of Knights Templar in the Crusades

Introduction

The paper focuses on one of the most effective groups that took part in the Crusades. The group was The Knights Templar and it was the strongest monastic as well as a military order taking part in the Crusades. The name of the Knights Templar has now become synonymous with the Crusades themselves as they were directly responsible in shaping the outcomes in those Crusades. We would try and take a look at the reasons why they have become part of legend and legacy that lives on even today. Their formation at a time of war and their subsequent performance will be looked at from an observer's point of view. We will also examine their conduct during the Crusades and see how they differed in their conduct as compared to soldiers fighting alongside them. The Knights were a very small group who came into being with a specific stated objective which was to protect the pilgrims coming to the Holy places in the East. How they became from a small group of monks to a force that was recognized by the Kings and the Clergy, would also be examined. The Order is still a part of legend and there are many theories associated with them. The theories trace their going underground at the time of their disbanding and link that sudden disappearance to their current existence. In the end we will also examine how the group invited the jealousy of the Kings and other critics and what was behind that jealousy.

The group was formed in 1119 A.D by Hugh de Payens in Jerusalem. Their stated aim was simple and that was to protect the pilgrims who had started to visit the Holy Land after the fall of Jerusalem in 1099 A.D. These highly motivated individuals were recruited by de Payens and they were prepared to make any sacrifice for the achievement of their stated objectives. During the second Crusade, these Knights formed the core of the fighting Christian army (Haag, pp. 89 - 102).

The Knights Templar was famous for another reason besides their exceptional fighting capabilities. The other reason for their fame was their normal lifestyle which differed a great deal from the soldiers of the time. They voluntarily adopted a monastic lifestyle and lived on principles set forth by St. Benedict. Hence, the Knights Templar was monks and soldiers at the same time. The zeal required to fight came from their religious devotion and their motivations came solely from protection of the Holy Places. When the Knights were not in battle, they lived in the calm surroundings of the monastery and they maintained their composure by living the simple life. They came to be known as people who were 'fiercer than lions and gentler than lambs'. This dual personality of the Knights Templar made them all the more effective and they played a great part during the crusades.

Discussion

Significance

In the initial stages, the Knights Templar consisted only ...