St. Bernard of Clairvaux was one of the most literate and well-versed men of his era. He came from a humble background, yet rose in stature to engage in direct communication with the Pope. Bernard after meeting Hugues de Payens the “Master of the Knights of the Temple’ in 1127, became a champion for the Templar Knights. He was extremely loyal to the Knights and their cause (Seward -23). Bernard while in direct communication with to Hugues about his Order stated, “They can fight the battle of the Lord and indeed be soldiers of Christ” (Seward-31). Bernard promised Hugues that he would compile a “Rule” that Hugues and others could use to recruit Knights into the Order (Seward-31).
Bernard saw the Knights as “brother-Knights” and submitted them to the same rigors as any Cistercian monk. The Knights were extremely well funded and established a hierarchy system in which to govern themselves. Bernard secured for the Knights high ecclesiastical privileges, and they …show more content…
There were still many Knights who followed the “Rule” faithfully, but the crusade took on a new meaning, one of conquest by any diabolical means and they desired to reap as much of the spoils of war as possible. Little had changed as the Teutonic Knights heeded St. Bernard’s call for a Holy War in the Baltic region. The Knights continued to observe the “Rule” as established by Bernard. Yet, they acquired land, and develop trading partners and establish social and political structures. The accumulation of wealth by the Orders was evident in the Near East and in the Baltic States (Seward-107, 108, 112). The actions of the crusaders were contrary to the monastic lifestyle that St. Bernard had envisioned for those who joined the Orders. Clearly, the majority of the Knights strayed from the original intent of Bernard’s, however, they continued to surrender their lives in order to protect, defend, and secure Christianity, and
Bernard saw the Knights as “brother-Knights” and submitted them to the same rigors as any Cistercian monk. The Knights were extremely well funded and established a hierarchy system in which to govern themselves. Bernard secured for the Knights high ecclesiastical privileges, and they …show more content…
There were still many Knights who followed the “Rule” faithfully, but the crusade took on a new meaning, one of conquest by any diabolical means and they desired to reap as much of the spoils of war as possible. Little had changed as the Teutonic Knights heeded St. Bernard’s call for a Holy War in the Baltic region. The Knights continued to observe the “Rule” as established by Bernard. Yet, they acquired land, and develop trading partners and establish social and political structures. The accumulation of wealth by the Orders was evident in the Near East and in the Baltic States (Seward-107, 108, 112). The actions of the crusaders were contrary to the monastic lifestyle that St. Bernard had envisioned for those who joined the Orders. Clearly, the majority of the Knights strayed from the original intent of Bernard’s, however, they continued to surrender their lives in order to protect, defend, and secure Christianity, and