The knights Templar : Hierarchy

The Hierarchy Of The Templar Order

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 although new evidence seems to claim that they were having 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 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 Clairveux] 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 dissolvement. 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 Hierarchy Of The Order

The Grand Master Absolute ruler over the order answered only to the Papacy

Seneschalacted as both deputy and advisor to the Grand Master

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

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

Commander of Tripoli and AntiochWas 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. carried little actual power themselves.

Commander of Knights Like the Commander of houses, acted as lieutenants to higher authorities within the order. 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 seargeants in battle. The Turcopolier would lead the march along with a guard of Knights

Under MarshalThe Undermarshal was in charge of the footmen and the equiptment

Standard BearerThe Standard Bearer was one of the seargants

Seargant BrothersThese warriors were support troops and did not have to be nobaly born. Although similarly equipped to a full Knight, the seargeants had one horse and no squires under them.

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

Sick and Elderly Brothers