Brady Knight
Foundations of Western Civilization/ HIST 100-04
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Selwood, Dominic. Knights of the Cloister: Templars and Hospitallers in Central-Southern Occitania c.1100-c.1300. The Boydell Press, Woodbridge 1999.
Dominic Selwood has put time and effort in to researching two of the most well-known orders of Knights. The two of many orders in question are the Order of the Temple, founded in 1120, and the Order of the Hospital, founded c.1099. Although Selwood may compare and contrast the Templars and Hospitallers, this is not his goal. He is using these orders to provide credible and reliable information to support his claims. Dominic Selwood states there are two aims for his publication to cover, writing “The first is to move the emphasis away from the Crusader states and towards Western Europe…”, and he continues with “The second aim is to concentrate on their role as religious Orders…” (1)
In the first chapter of his work, Selwood explores how vital the geographic location of the Occitania. These lands were different from other lands in that they faced the gulf, not north towards England. Also, being so close to the water, this allowed for the economy to boom with maritime trade. Besides the water, Occitania “lay sandwiched between Rome and Santiago de Compostela, the Holy Land and the Reconquista, the Empire and powerful Capetian France.” (48) This contributes that the Crusaders at this time could go in any direction because it was not just West to East Crusading. It was from the center and going out.
In his second chapter, he mentions how both Military Orders would settle in various locations. Often both Templars and Hospitallers had “houses” in each village. But, the more important thing that Selwood gets at is that when theses Military Orders moved into town. They did not live in seclusion, but “Rather, they cultivated towns and their inhabitants, both religious and secular.” (71) These orders did not settle in just towns, but also on country sides to have access to agricultural revenue. Again, relating back to Selwood’s first thesis on where the Crusaders lived, and not where they attacked.
His third chapter explains the conflicts of Military Orders and the Church. When entering a new village, Military Orders would create their own churches. There they would often create strong relationships with episcopal friend, but also face local monastic houses, who thought them a threat to what was already established. This hints at the Military Order’s roll in religion. Not spreading the ideals of the Crusades, but with that the Holy Lord and his teachings.
The fourth chapter speaks on the Military Orders and the Laity. This covers who, and the why for joining the Orders. At first, it was seemed that wealthier persons were attracted to and joined the Hospital, where the ladder would join the Templar. The Templars were thought of to have men in which the world held no pleasure for, but then again. One man joined the Hospital because he wanted to travel. Regardless of one’s wealth or class, all types of men joined Military Orders. This brings several people in from over the world to one central location, but also unites several men under one religion and belief.
His fifth chapter includes the Administrative Structures of the Templars and Hospitallers. In each Military Order, there were various roles and job duties listed, and over the years these things have changed for the better and to adjust to the times. Besides this, these Orders allowed them to develop skills and also to build the sense of a giant family. Selwood writes “The reason or the existence of these structures was to act as a support mechanism for the brethren in the Holy Land” (168). This relates back to how these Military Orders have an important connection to religion, making them not just Military Orders.
The sixth chapter brings mention to the Eastern Horizon and is about each Order expanding their marine forces. Both Templars and Hospital invested dearly into their navies, because being on the Mediterranean naval trade was a huge business, involving trading goods as well as transporting people. During these times, the Military Orders were even tied into a civil war, between what was the Templar-Provencal and Hospitaller-Catalan alliances. This chapter shows how the Military Orders were not just in the Crusader states, and it shows how their Religious Ideals and Belief can make them allies in war times.
The last chapter concerns a Commandery called Saint Eulalia. This commandery was controlled by Templars, and then transferred into the hands of the Hospitallers until they met their end 1789. Selwood writes “So ended 639 years of control by the two principal Military and Religious Orders of the Crusades, Orders which had shaped, governed controlled, worked and integrated themselves in the area to the extent that its history is inseparable from theirs.” (207).
In the conclusion of Knights of the Cloister: Templars and Hospitallers in Central-Southern Occitania c.1100-c.1300, Selwood concludes his ideas together. The Military Orders had constructed mechanisms for all persons of society to join, as well as having commanderies in several locations for these persons to stay and follow. The support of local churches and the religious tolerance of these Military Orders added to their success. These add to his aim of the Religious success of the Military Orders.
Although, Selwood mentions that the Church did attack these Orders for the possibility that they were abusing power and had questionable practices. But in the end, he provides strong evidence to support his aims. Both Military Orders were a worthwhile cause with a strong presence in the Iberian and Italian Peninsulas and were not just known for their military abilities, but also for their tight Religious Orders and agreements with the Church.