The Knights Templar at War 1120–1312 Read online

  The Knights Templar at War

  1120–1312

  The Knights Templar at War

  1120–1312

  PAUL HILL

  First published in Great Britain in 2018 by

  Pen and Sword Military

  an imprint of

  Pen and Sword Books Ltd

  47 Church Street

  Barnsley

  South Yorkshire S70 2AS

  Copyright © Paul Hill, 2018

  ISBN 978 1 47387 492 3

  eISBN 978 1 47387 494 7

  Mobi ISBN 978 1 47387 493 0

  The right of Paul Hill to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library

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  Contents

  List of Photographs, Illustrations, Maps and Tables

  List of Grand Masters of the Temple

  List of Military Campaigns and Milestones

  Introduction

  PART 1 – ORIGINS

  Chapter 1 The Danger to Pilgrims

  Chapter 2 The Poor Knights of Christ

  Chapter 3 The Council of Troyes, 1129

  Chapter 4 The Latin Rule

  Chapter 5 In Praise of the New Knighthood

  PART 2 – BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS

  In the Latin East

  Chapter 6 Damascus and the Early Campaigns, 1129–47

  Chapter 7 The Second Crusade, 1147–8

  Chapter 8 Siege of Ascalon, 1153

  Chapter 9 The Struggle for Egypt, 1154–68

  Chapter 10 The Assassins

  Chapter 11 The Battle of Montgisard, 1177

  Chapter 12 Marj Ayyun and the Siege of Chastellet, 1179

  Chapter 13 The Springs of Cresson and the Battle of the Horns of Hattin, 1187

  Chapter 14 The Third Crusade, 1189–92

  Chapter 15 Stalemate, 1192–1216

  Chapter 16 The Fifth Crusade, 1217–21

  Chapter 17 The Sixth Crusade of Frederick II of Germany, 1228–9

  Chapter 18 The Barons’ Crusade, 1239–41

  Chapter 19 La Forbie, 1244

  Chapter 20 The Seventh Crusade, 1248–54

  Chapter 21 Mongols and Mamelukes

  Chapter 22 The Final Stand – Acre, 1291

  In the Iberian Peninsula

  Chapter 23 A Brief Introduction to the Reconquista

  Chapter 24 Portugal

  Chapter 25 Spain

  On the Eastern Frontiers of Europe

  Chapter 26 A Different Frontier

  Chapter 27 Battles of Liegnitz (Legnica) and Mohi (Muhi), 1241

  PART 3 – MILITARY ORGANISATION

  Chapter 28 Recruitment and Reception

  Chapter 29 The Hierarchical Statutes

  Chapter 30 Strategic Raiding, Camping and Marching

  Chapter 31 Battlefield Tactics

  Chapter 32 Training

  Chapter 33 Penances and Life in the Convent

  Chapter 34 Logistics, Supply and Shipping

  PART 4 – CASTLES AND FORTIFICATIONS

  Chapter 35 The Role of the Templar Castles

  Chapter 36 Templar Fortifications in Outremer

  PART 5 – AFTER ACRE

  Chapter 37 Military Activity and the Plans for a New Crusade

  Conclusion

  Bibliography

  List of Photographs, Illustrations, Maps and Tables

  Photographs (Black and White)

  1. and 2. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. © Sampete. Dreamstime.com (top) and © Konstantin32. Dreamstime.com (bottom).

  3. The Castle at Masyaf in the Jebel al-Sariya. © Valery Shanin. Dreamstime.com.

  4. Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Dome of the Rock. Jerusalem. © Susan Howden. Courtesy of Canon John Howden.

  5. Aerial view of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount, Jerusalem. Israel. © Rafael Ben-ari. Dreamstime.com

  6. A view of Acre, ancient city walls. © Hitmans. Dreamstime.com

  7. Almourol Castle, Portugal. © Matthew Trommer. Dreamstime.com

  8. Templar castle and Convent of Christ, Tomar. © Americanspirit. Dreamstime.com

  9. Monzón Castle, Spain. © Grantotufo. Dreamstime.com

  10. Effigy of William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke (d.1219), Temple Church, London. © Paul Hill. Author collection

  11. The Old Port of La Rochelle (France) seen from the ocean. © Jakezc. Dreamstime.com

  12. St Michael’s Church, Garway, Herefordshire, England. © Richard Hill

  13. Foundations of the nave of the Templar church at Garway. © Richard Hill

  14. A well-preserved Templar coffin lid at the Sanctuary Rail, Garway. © Richard Hill

  15. A purported twelfth-century wooden chest, attributed to the time of the Templars at Garway church. © Richard Hill

  16. Château Pèlerin, or the ‘Pilgrims’ Castle’ at ‘Atlit, modern Israel. © Avihai Goldberg. Dreamstime.com

  17. All Hallows by the Tower, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  18. Altar from Château Pèlerin. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  19. Detail of a miniature of the burning of the Grand Master of the Templars and another Templar. From the Chroniques de France ou de St Denis, BL Royal MS 20 C vii f. 48r. Wikicommons.

  Photographs (Colour Plate Section)

  1. Temple Mount in Jerusalem. © Sean Pavone. Dreamstime.com

  2. Statue outside Temple Church, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  3. Temple Church, London, England, the Round. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  4. The chancel, Temple Church, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  5. Interior of the Round (nave) of Temple Church, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  6. Interior of the Round (nave) of Temple Church, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  7. Interior of the Round (nave) of Temple Church, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  8. Painted glass window in Temple Church, London, England. © Paul Hill. Author Collection

  9. Beaufort Castle. © Ddkg. Dreamstime.com

  10. Barley barn at Cressing Temple, Essex, England. © Paul Wishart. Dreamstime.com

  11. Templar tunnel at Acre. © Iuliia Kryzhevska. Dreamstime.com

  12. Templar remains in the old city of Acre. © Rndmst. Dreamstime.com

  13. Sidon Sea Castle. © Benkrut. Dreamstime.com

  14. Tomar Castle in Portugal. © Lejoch. Dreamstime.com

  15. Miravet Castle, Spain. © Juan Moyano. Dreamstime.com

  16. Horns of Hattin panorama. © Amitai. Dreamstime.com

  17. Remains of Templar castle at Tortosa. © Egmont Strigl. Alamy Stock Photo

  Illustrations

  Fig. 1. The obverse of the Templar seal from the time of Grand Master Reginald of Vichiers (1250–6)

  Fig. 2. Plan of the unfinished Templar castle at Jacob’s Ford (Chastellet)

  Fig. 3. Temple Mount before 1187

  Fig. 4. Two Templar knights as depicted in Matthew Paris’s thirteenth-century Chronica Majora

  Fig. 5. Knights move out on campaign. From a fresco at the Templars’ chapel at Cressac-sur-Charente, France

  Fig. 6. Templars on the march

  Fig. 7. The Templar banner

  Fig. 8. The Templar cavalry charge

  Fig. 9. A charging knight from a fresco at the Templars’ chapel at Cressac-sur-Charente, France

  Fig. 10. Arima Castle

  Fig. 11. The castle at Baghras

  Fig. 12. The castle at ‘Atlit (Château Pèlerin)

  Fig. 13. The Templar castle at Tortosa

  Maps

  1. The Outremer states on the eve of the fall of Edessa, 1144

  2. The main pilgrim sites during the era of the Crusades (after Barber)

  3. Jacob’s Ford, 1179

  4. The Springs of Cresson and Hattin

  5. The Nile Delta at the time of the Fifth Crusade

  6. Siege of Acre

  7. The Iberian Peninsula

  8. Templar establishments in Central and Eastern Europe

  9. Templar castles and fortifications in Outremer

  Tables

  Table 1. Hierarchical Statutes (c.1165–c.1187) – personal retinues taken from each retrais

  Table 2. Weapons, armour, clothing and equipment of the knight brothers of the convent, c.1165–c.1187 from the Hierarchical Statutes

  Table 3. The Templars’ day from the Rule (after Nicholson)

  List of Grand Masters of the Temple

  Hu
gh of Payns, c.1119–c.1136

  Robert of Craon, c.1136–49

  Everard des Barres, 1149–52

  Bernard of Tremelay, 1153

  Andrew of Montbard, 1154–6

  Bertrand of Blancfort, 1156–69

  Philip of Nablus, 1169–71

  Odo of Saint-Amand, c.1171–9

  Arnold of Torroja, 1181–4

  Gerard of Ridefort, 1185–9

  Robert of Sablé, 1191–2/3

  Gilbert Erail, 1194–1200

  Philip of Plessis, 1201–9

  William of Chartres, 1210–c.1219

  Peter of Montaigu, c.1219–c.1231

  Armand of Périgord, c.1231–c.1244/6

  William of Sonnac, c.1247–50

  Reginald of Vichiers, 1250–6

  Thomas Bérard, 1256–73

  William of Beaujeu, 1273–91

  Theobald Gaudin, 1291–2/3

  James of Molay, c.1293–1314

  List of Military Campaigns and Milestones

  1120–9 Pilgrim Protection and escort duties. Probable presence in the King of Jerusalem’s armies

  1128 Establishment at Soure castle in Portugal

  1129 The Damascus Campaigns

  1130 Grant of Granyena castle to Templars by Raymond Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona

  1136–7 Establishment of fortifications in the Amanus Mountains

  1137 Action around Montferrand and the Nosairi foothills Templars and Hospitallers form part of Raymond of Poitiers’ army during Byzantine Siege of Antioch

  1139 Defeat of Frankish force at Hebron

  1143 Six major castles in north-east Spain given to Templars by Raymond Berenguer IV

  1147–8 The Second Crusade Templar reorganisation of French forces after Mount Cadmus disaster Failure at Damascus

  1147 Siege of Santarém, Portugal

  1148 Christian attack on Tortosa, Iberia

  1149 Campaign around Antioch in response to Frankish defeat at Battle of Inab

  1149–50 Acquisition of Gaza fortification

  1153 The Siege of Ascalon

  1153 Granting of Miravet castle to Templars, Tarragona

  1154 Capture and ransom by Templars of Nasr al-Din

  1157 Capture of Bertrand of Blancfort and Odo of Saint-Amand in wake of siege of Banyas Templars abandon Calatrava in Spain

  1158 Possible Templar contingent at Baldwin III’s victory at Butaiha in 1158

  1160 Founding of Tomar, Portugal

  1163 Nur ed-Din’s forces defeated by Gilbert de Lacy’s Templars escorting noble pilgrims

  1164 Battle of Artah, Siege of Banyas

  1154–68 Egyptian Campaigns

  1170 Action at Daron against Egyptian army

  1171 Templars obtain Almourol castle on the Tagus, Portugal

  1173 Templar attack on Assassin envoy

  1177 Campaigns in Antioch and at Hama and Harim Victory over Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard

  1179 Battle of Marj Ayyun and the Siege of Chastellet (Jacob’s Ford)

  1187 Battles of the Springs of Cresson and the Horns of Hattin. Saladin triumphant Tyre narrowly survives with naval Templar help and new crusader arrivals Fall of Acre, Sidon, Beirut and Jerusalem

  1188 Fall of Baghras and Darbsak castles in the Amanus March Defence of Tortosa

  1189–92 The Third Crusade and the Battles of Acre and Arsuf Establishment of Acre as new Christian capital including Templar Headquarters Purchase of Cyprus from King Richard I by the Templars

  1190 Almohad invasion of Iberia. Defence of Tomar

  1201–2 Large-scale Muslim raids around County of Tripoli

  1210 Siege of Al-Damus (Ademuz), Spain

  1211 Armenian ambush of Templars in northern marches and reprisal attacks

  1212 The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, Spain

  1216 Baghras regained

  1217 Battle of Alcácer do Sal, Portugal

  1217–21 The Fifth Crusade The building of ‘Atlit (Château Pèlerin) Siege of Damietta Flooding of the Nile

  1223 Templars acquire Montémor-o-Velho and Alenquer, Portugal

  1229 Quarrels and stand-offs with Frederick II in Outremer and Italy

  1229–30 Conquest of the Balearic Islands

  1230 Combined campaign with Hospitallers to Hama

  1231 Combined campaign with Hospitallers on Jabala

  1233 Combined campaign of reduction with Hospitallers and secular forces around Hama

  1237 Templars defeated by Muslim foraging force between ‘Atlit (Château Pèlerin) and Acre losing over 100 knights Templars of Baghras raid Turcomen tribesman east of Antioch. Subsequently defeated trying to retake Darbsak

  1238 Conquest of Valencia, Spain

  1239–41 Theobald, King of Navarre and Count of Champagne’s Crusade. Richard of Cornwall’s crusade Defeat around Gaza

  1241–4 Sporadic fighting amongst Templars and Hospitallers

  1241 Central Europe – Battle of Liegnitz Central Europe – Battle of Mohi

  1242 Templar raid on Hebron (spring) Templar sacking of Nablus (autumn) Probable actions around Gaza

  1244 Khwarismian Turks overrun Jerusalem Battle of La Forbie

  1248–54 The Seventh Crusade – Siege of Damietta and actions in the Nile Delta Battle of Mansourah (1250)

  1256–8 The Wars of Saint Sabas. Minor actions in Acre

  1261 Stephen of Saissy, Templar Marshal leads failed expedition against Turcomen tribesmen near to Sea of Galilee

  1264 Combined raid with Hospitallers to capture Lizon. Raids around Ascalon

  1265 Caesarea, Arsuf and Haifa fall

  1266 Fall of Safad

  1267 Baibars fails to take Acre

  1268 Antioch and Baghras fall. Jaffa and Castle Beaufort also lost

  1269 Abortive crusade of James I of Aragon

  1271 Chastel Blanc falls

  1277–82 Civil war in Tripoli. Templars ally with Guy of Embriaco, Lord of Jubail

  1289 Fall of Tripoli

  1291 Siege of Acre and fall of Outremer states

  1299 Battle of Homs

  1291–1302 Templar naval raids

  1302 Templar last stand on the island of Arwad (Ru’ad)

  1307 Templars in France arrested on orders of King Philip IV

  1311–12 Council of Vienne. Pope Clement abolishes Templars – Hospitallers receive their assets

  1319 Order of Montessa in Valencia and Order of Christ established in Portugal – inherit Templar property

  Introduction

  The Knights Templar have attracted a vast amount of interest over the centuries and many books have been written on this subject. Some of this material supports remarkable notions of the Templars’ continuing clandestine existence and of the religious and esoteric secrets the Templars may have kept. The order, which officially ‘existed’ for two action-packed centuries is still to be found in the popular culture of the Western world today. A Templar knight may appear on a computer screen in anyone’s living room, if a certain game is in play. In books, television and on the silver screen the Templars still wage their wars in the Holy Land, or wield a dark power over those less illuminated.

  This book will examine something which has not immediately attracted attention in the past. The mythology surrounding the order has grown so strong that seldom has their raison d’être been examined. The Templars were two things: a religious order and a military organisation. Originating in around 1119 out of a need to protect Christian pilgrims in the East, some two decades after the end of the First Crusade, they fought their wars as committed Christian warriors. As such, they came to the Holy Land and to the Iberian Peninsula and Eastern Europe imbued with the tactics and strategies known to many warlike cultures of the West. But the specific nature of their task and their subsequent increasing involvement in the wide-scale defence of the Holy Land meant that the order approached things differently than secular forces.

  We will find evidence of spectacular victories and heavy defeats, of heroic self-sacrifice and seemingly irresponsible recklessness. The military endeavours of the order are not to be judged by these individual encounters alone, however. The organisational response to the requirements of fighting on the frontiers of Christendom included methods of recruitment, logistics and finance, raiding, training, castle building, battlefield tactics and an inevitable involvement in Grand Strategy which was not always to the liking of others. Sometimes things did not go according to plan and we will look at the reasons why.