During the Crusades it was necessary for the kings in Europe to create societies to help combat the heathens invading the Holy Land. These knightly orders formed in the 12th century were not only militant, but religiously devout, signifying both earthly and heavenly knighthood.
It is also important to note that the knights were not paid mercenaries and therefore not liable to change sides in the heat of battle. The Teutonic Order of St. Mary’s Hospital in Jerusalem was one of three major orders to come out of this period, arising after the Hospitallers and the Templars.
Formation of the Teutonic Knights
The Teutonic Knights came into being during the third crusade in order to help the emperors Henry IV and Frederick II focus and maintain German interest in the Holy Land. It began as a brotherhood of German laymen caring for fellow countrymen in a makeshift field hospital during the crusader’s siege on Acre in 1190. Up until Henry VI’s death in 1197, the order was devoted to caring for the sick and wounded. Henry VI obtained a charter of incorporation from the pope, and in 1199 Pope Innocent III officially brought the Teutonic Order into existence.
Members of the Teutonic Order
Select few were allowed to join the brethren; most members had to be of German noble blood. The order was separated into three or, occasionally, four components. The groups were: the Brother-knights, the priests, the sergeants, and occasionally a fourth class of nursing women (the half-sisters).
The Brother-knights were to exterminate religious adversaries, receive pilgrims, visitors, and the poor, and tend to the sick. The priests were also required to care for the ill and offer protection, and tend to the needs of the knights on a spiritual level, to strengthen them for battle. The sergeant’s role was to assist the knights. The nursing women performed duties more suited to their womanly capabilities, such as caring for the sick and livestock.
The Rule of the Teutonic Knights
In order to become a member of the Teutonic brethren, one had to live by ‘The Rule of the Teutonic Knights.’ These rules were broken down into three parts: living without property, chastity, and obedience. The Rule offers advice on 37 different points, ranging from living in poverty, to establishing hospitals, to how the brethren should clothe themselves.
Many of the rules also dealt with religious aspects the knights by which the knights were expected to abide. It was believed that these things were the strength of the order, and if one rule was broken, then the rule as a whole was broken.
Knightly Conduct?
The knights were expected to set a good example by words and actions. Despite the rule of poverty, they were allowed to hold property, inheritances, land, and serfs. The reason for this exception was the vast expense incurred from running the hospitals and fighting in the crusades. However, it seems that the brethren held more property and possessions than was required for this purpose.
The rule of chastity was taken to the extreme of forbidding even kissing of their mothers and sisters. Full obedience was expected. They were not permitted to deal with excommunicated people, were required to hear divine services twice a day, and receive the Sacrament at least seven times a year. However, in such a time of conflict it was not possible for a knight to live up to such high ideals and many committed acts that were in blatant violation of the Teutonic code.
Sources:
Forey, Alan. The Military Orders: From the Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Centuries. [University of Toronto Press: Toronto and Buffalo, 1992]
Seward, Desmond. The Monks of War: The Military Religious Orders. [Eyre Methuen: London, 1972]
