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The Templar Hierarchy

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Knights Templar
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« on: January 04, 2008, 05:11:33 am »

The Templar Hierarchy

The original Latin Rule of 1128 CE consisted of only four ranks. This stands to reason, as at this early stage (eleven years after the founding of the order), there were still very few members. Some Historians claim that the order did not accept any new recruits for the first nine years. Desmond Seward, in his book, "The Monks of War" claims that they may have difficulties in finding members.

"A document of 1123 refers to Hugues as Master of the Knights of The Temple but his little band was merely a voluntary Brotherhood; recent research seems to indicate that they [the Templars] were having difficulty in finding recruits and were on the verge of dissolution. Hugues had come [to Bernard of Clairvaux] about another crusade, not to ask for a rule."

The Monks Of War - Desmond Seward - Penguin Books


If this is true then Bernard's support of the order brought to light in his "In Praise of The New Knighthood" may very well have not only increased it's membership, but saved it from an early end. Regardless, the Templar knights did survive to grow to huge numbers, which required a larger Hierarchy than the original four divisions. What follows are the ranks of the Templar ladder:


The Templar Hierarchy
The Grand Master

Absolute ruler over the order answered only to the Papacy

Seneschal

Acted as both deputy and advisor to the Grand Master

Commander of the Kingdom of Jerusalem

Was in charge of The area and had same powers as Grand Master within his own jurisdiction

Commander of the City of Jerusalem

Was in charge of the area and had same powers as Grand Master within his own jurisdiction

Commander of Tripoli and Antioch

Was in charge of the area and had same powers as Grand Master within his own jurisdiction

Drapier

The Drapier was in charge of the Templar Garments

Commander of Houses

Acted as lieutenants to higher authorities within the order but carried little actual power themselves

Commander of Knights

Like the Commander of houses, acted as lieutenants to higher authorities within the order. They carried little actual power themselves

Knight Brothers

These were the warriors who wore the white tunic and cross. Each was equipped with three horses and armaments

Turcoplier

The purpose of the Turcolier was to command the brother sergeants in battle. The Turcopolier would lead the march along with a guard of knights

Under Marshal

The Under marshal was in charge of the footmen and the equipment

Standard Bearer

The Standard Bearer was one of the sergeants and charged with carrying the order's banner

Sergeant Brothers

These warriors were support troops and did not have to be nobly born. Although similarly equipped to a full knight, the sergeants had one horse and no squires under them

Turcopoles

These were the local troops who would fight along side the Templars. Similar to the sergeants

Sick and Elderly Brothers

No longer active members but still members of the order

http://www.templarhistory.com/hierarchy.html
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