Hierarchy about the Temple in Occident

This hierarchy about the Temple has was created and installed to meet the need for organization of the order when this one developed in Occident. In fact the withdrawals of the Rule inform us about this hierarchy and the role of the various dignitaries who lived in Occident.

The Master of the provinces or country

It is also called tutor. The territory which it managed is comparable to a country. It seems that he was named by the Master of the order for one four years duration. (article 87 of the withdrawals of the Rule). The provinces templières or countries, were constituted gradually according to linguistic criteria. Here is an intermediate list including/understanding Tripoli, Antioche, France, England, Poitou, Aragon, Portugal, Pouille and Hungary. (articles 87,88). From Jerusalem, the Master of the order sent two representatives or visitors, one for the Iberian peninsula, the other for the remainder of the countries of Occident.

The Master of the baillies

it seems that this term indicated a subdivision of a province. Thus, the province of France was it cut out into five baillies called France actually the island-of-France, Normandy, Ponthieu - Vermandois, Champagne-Lorraine, and Burgundy. These Masters were brought together by the Master of their country at the time of an annual chapter of the country.

The commander or tutor of the houses

They directed a house of the Temple called préceptorie or commandery in the respect of Regulate and decisions of the chapter. Article 49 of the Rule specifies " that you can have grounds, men, the unpleasant ones, to hold of the fields and to control them with justice, and to take your right of these things as that is especially établi." the commander was chosen by the community at the time of a vote of the chapter, and for one variable duration. It could be a sergeant.

The brothers chaplains

In 1139, the pope Innocent II authorizes the order to have its own priests. Those ensured the divine service in the vaults, took part in the reception of new brothers and were the spiritual guides of the brothers. They carried a coat of bore-hole and were tonsures. Before 1139, the chaplains were useful in the long term.

The brothers knights and brothers sergeants of weapon

The brothers knights, equipped in white coat, were all resulting from the nobility and were to already be adoubé when they entered the order of the Temple. They was soldiers of elite, equipped well and well trained, placed in first line.

The brothers sergeants, equipped with a brown or black coat, were free men. In the East, they were ordered by the turcopolier.

In certain great commanderies, knights and sergeants had separate dormitories and refectories. All pronounced the three wishes: of poverty, chastity and obedience. They lived primarily in the fortresses of the East or Spain.

Brothers of trade

They lived primarily in the commanderies of Occident and were farmers and craftsmen. Article 325 of the Rule about the Temple indicates that the " sometimes brother mason wears gloves and one authorizes it because of the great work which it makes and so that it does not wound, even slightly, its hands, but it should not carry them when it does not work pas."

Serfs and servants

The serfs were peasants attached to a lord or a community of monks. They were not free men.

Internal bond

Hierarchy about the Temple in the East

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