Rule of the Templars: The French Text of the Rule of the Order of Knights Templar (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion)

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Binding: Hardcover Dewey Decimal Number: 255.791306 EAN: 9780851153155 ISBN: 0851153151 Label: Boydell & Brewer Manufacturer: Boydell & Brewer Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 200 Publication Date: 1992-04 Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Studio: Boydell & Brewer
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Editorial Reviews: This book presents for the first time an English translation of Henri de Curzon's 1886 edition of the French "Rule" derived from the three extant medieval manuscripts; both monastic rule and military manual, the "Rule" is a unique document and an important historical source. The "Rule" is divided into seven main sections: the Primitive Rule, Hierarchical Statutes, Penances, Conventual Life, the Holding of Ordinary Chapters, Further Details on Penances, and Reception into the Order. There are details of the clothing, armour and equipment to which each brother was entitled; instructions to the brothers as to their conduct while on campaign; and information on the daily life of the members of this most influential military order, and on the monastic discipline which made it a formidable fighting force. The "Rule" evolved over almost 150 years of the Order's history, and thus shows how the Templars adapted to political change and formulated their disciplinary code. An Introduction gives the historical background to the "Rule" and summarizes the various sections. Finally, an appendix by Matthew Bennett discusses the military the military implications of the "Rule", with particular regard to strategy.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: An excellent work. Comment: The Rule of the Templars: The French Text of the Rule of the Order of the Knights Templar, Judi Upton-Ward (Woodbridge, UK: The Boydell Press, 1992) The myths surrounding the Knights Templar range from tales of great treasure to legends concerning a wealth of wisdom kept secret for a thousand years. Many have tried to discover what this great esoteric wisdom was, but, so far, no one has been able to 'decipher' any of the so-called 'clues' allegedly left behind by the Templars. These references to secret wisdom perhaps arose from the accusations of secrecy brought against the order during their trial. What many failed to recognize, or perhaps ignored, was that as a military order, the Templars had many reasons to keep their Rule, which governed their lives and their behavior in battle, a secret. Fortunately for us living nearly a thousand years later, we now have access to this 'secret knowledge' through Judi Upton-Ward's translation of the French version of the Rule, found in her book, The Rule of the Templars. In this work, Upton-Ward translates not only the Templars' Rule but also the statutes and includes an article by Matthew Bennett that discusses the military side of the Rule. In translating the Templar Rule from the vernacular, Upton-Ward points out that this work is just how the Templars themselves would have read it, straight from their native language, rather than being written in Latin by scholars who may not have know the military implications of what they were writing about. The importance of the French text lies here. This was a work written by and for the military men of the order for the purpose of governing their lives and ordering their behavior. Like any well-oiled military machine, it was necessary for the Rule to contain information on how to act on and off the field, information the Templars would not have wanted to fall into enemy hands. What Upton-Ward accomplishes with her translation of the Templar Rule is an accessible look at the 'secret knowledge' of the Templars and a detailed look at the lives the Templars led, which, it turns out, actually closely paralleled the lives of other religious orders, which a few changes needed to accommodate the military nature of the Templars. The work is easy to read and geared to both scholars and pleasure readers alike. Jennifer Regan and Dr. Carl Edwin Lindgren Customer Rating: Summary: For the devotee, a must. Comment: Excellent. No doubt already on the shelves of those interested in this Medieval Catholic military lay religious order. For the uninitiated reader, first read the Introduction, Primitive Rule, and Appendix. Then, the rest. To a reader for whom the Templars are "knights who fought in the crusades," the Rule will seem most unexpectedly profuse in dwelling upon internal monastic disciplines, religious guidelines, and personal observances. Regulations addressing military issues and a Knight's behavior in the field are present. An appendix, coordinated with references to the Rule, treats some of the military aspect, especially in regards to the use of armed mounted force and the order's rankings. If unfamiliar with the Military Orders, it will be an eye-opener as to what the Catholic Church proposed for its monks. If doing extended reading elsewhere, a reader will be startled at the surprise ending of that now supressed Order. I would alert those who do followup, not to confuse "Templar," as properly used for this group, with some current appropriators of that name, used for purposes of having mystique of lore & legend. Customer Rating: Summary: A Jewel Comment: This book has a lot of valuable information for anyone interested in the Templars. It has historical information in the preface and appendix and its content has every single rule the Knights of the Temple followed. It has every single battle rule and the everyday life activities of templars. The sins and the penitence, how to be admitted and the admittance ritual. How to get a counsil toghether, everything they were supposed to do. I suggest that if you are interested either in Templars or in the Dark Ages, you ought to buy this book. Customer Rating: Summary: Essential Reference for Masonic Historians Comment: This English translation of the French "Rule" of the Templars is an essential reference for all students of the Templars, and of the history of "related" organizations such as Freemasonry. The "Reception" ritual will be of special interest to Freemason's, as parts of it are hauntingly familiar. Customer Rating: Summary: By far the very best of Knights Templar texts. Comment: J.M. Upton-Ward has earned my eternal respect for the work presented here. The Rule, so vital to understanding the Order is clearly layed out and explained. Additional information is also included making this the one "must own" book for Templar scholars. More Reviews