Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Following the capture of [[Jerusalem]] and the [[The_Crusades#Holy_Land_Crusades|First Crusade]], most of the surviving crusaders began to return home to [[Europe]]. This shortage of manpower, combined with the ongoing military campaigns to secure the coastal frontier, made pacification of the interior very difficult. Increasing numbers of pilgrims were beginning to make the journey to the Holy Land, and although some were lightly armed, many carried only the traditional pilgrim's pouch and staff. Due to the nature of the terrain, the hostility of the [[Islam|Muslims]] among the inhabitants, and the presence of [[Bedouin]] bandits in the Judaean hills the pilgrims were constantly at risk while travelling.<ref>'''Read, Piers Paul''', ''The Templars'',  

Following the capture of [[Jerusalem]] and the [[The Crusades#Holy Land Crusades|First Crusade]], most of the surviving crusaders began to return home to [[Europe]]. This shortage of manpower, combined with the ongoing military campaigns to secure the coastal frontier, made pacification of the interior very difficult. Increasing numbers of pilgrims were beginning to make the journey to the Holy Land, and although some were lightly armed, many carried only the traditional pilgrim's pouch and staff. Due to the nature of the terrain, the hostility of the [[Islam|Muslims]] among the inhabitants, and the presence of [[Bedouin]] bandits in the Judaean hills the pilgrims were constantly at risk while travelling.<ref>'''Read, Piers Paul''', ''The Templars'',  

London: Wiedenfeld and Nicolson (1999) ISBN 0-7538-1087-5</ref> A group of 700 unarmed pilgrims travelling from Jerusalem to the [[Jordan River]] during [[Holy Week]] in 1119 were ambushed by [[Saracen]]s, who killed 300 and took at least 60 as slaves.

London: Wiedenfeld and Nicolson (1999) ISBN 0-7538-1087-5</ref> A group of 700 unarmed pilgrims travelling from Jerusalem to the [[Jordan River]] during [[Holy Week]] in 1119 were ambushed by [[Saracen]]s, who killed 300 and took at least 60 as slaves.

<div style="width: 70%; margin: 0 15% 1em 15%; text-align: left; background-color: #DEE6ED; padding: 0.5em; border: solid 1px #6699CC;">"Once he finds himself in the thick of battle, this knight sets aside his previous gentleness, as if to say, "Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord; am I not disgusted with your enemies?" These men at once fall violently upon the foe, regarding them as so many sheep. No matter how outnumbered they are, they never regard these as fierce barbarians or as awe-inspiring hordes. Nor do they presume on their own strength, but trust in the Lord of armies to grant them the victory. They are mindful of the words of Maccabees, "It is simple enough for a multitude to be vanquished by a handful. It makes no difference to the God of heaven whether he grants deliverance by the hands of few or many; for victory in war is not dependent on a big army, and bravery is the gift of heaven." On numerous occasions they had seen one man pursue a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.  

<div style="width: 70%; margin: 0 15% 1em 15%; text-align: left; background-color: #DEE6ED; padding: 0.5em; border: solid 1px #6699CC;">"Once he finds himself in the thick of battle, this knight sets aside his previous gentleness, as if to say, "Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord; am I not disgusted with your enemies?" These men at once fall violently upon the foe, regarding them as so many sheep. No matter how outnumbered they are, they never regard these as fierce barbarians or as awe-inspiring hordes. Nor do they presume on their own strength, but trust in the Lord of armies to grant them the victory. They are mindful of the words of Maccabees, "It is simple enough for a multitude to be vanquished by a handful. It makes no difference to the God of heaven whether he grants deliverance by the hands of few or many; for victory in war is not dependent on a big army, and bravery is the gift of heaven." On numerous occasions they had seen one man pursue a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.  

Thus in a wonderous and unique manner they appear gentler than lambs, yet fiercer than lions. I do not know if it would be more appropriate to refer to them as monks or as soldiers, unless perhaps it would be better to recognize them as being both. Indeed they lack neither monastic meekness nor military might. What can we say of this, except that this has been done by the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes. These are the picked troops of God, whom he has recruited from the ends of the earth; the valiant men of Israel chosen to guard well and faithfully that tomb which is the bed of the true Solomon, each man sword in hand, and superbly trained to war. <ref>''The Cistercian Fathers Series: Number Nineteen, The Works of Bernard of Clairvaux: Volume Seven, Treatises III'', transl. by Conrad Greenia, Cistercian Publications, Kalamazoo, Mich., (1977)</ref></div>  

Thus in a wonderous and unique manner they appear gentler than lambs, yet fiercer than lions. I do not know if it would be more appropriate to refer to them as monks or as soldiers, unless perhaps it would be better to recognize them as being both. Indeed they lack neither monastic meekness nor military might. What can we say of this, except that this has been done by the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes. These are the picked troops of God, whom he has recruited from the ends of the earth; the valiant men of Israel chosen to guard well and faithfully that tomb which is the bed of the true Solomon, each man sword in hand, and superbly trained to war.<ref>''The Cistercian Fathers Series: Number Nineteen, The Works of Bernard of Clairvaux: Volume Seven, Treatises III'', transl. by Conrad Greenia, Cistercian Publications, Kalamazoo, Mich., (1977)</ref></div>  

This letter swept throughout Christendom with the result that many noblemen joined the ranks of the Order, and those who were unable to join gifted the Templars with land and other valuable sources of income. While the Templars themselves were sworn to poverty, there was no such restriction on the Order as an organization. freed from taxation and tithes and showered with gifts, the Order became incredibly wealthy, with establishments, called ''preceptories'', across Europe as well as the Holy Land. With their wealth the Order were able to acquire more land, on which they established farms and vineyards, further increasing their wealth.

This letter swept throughout Christendom with the result that many noblemen joined the ranks of the Order, and those who were unable to join gifted the Templars with land and other valuable sources of income. While the Templars themselves were sworn to poverty, there was no such restriction on the Order as an organization. freed from taxation and tithes and showered with gifts, the Order became incredibly wealthy, with establishments, called ''preceptories'', across Europe as well as the Holy Land. With their wealth the Order were able to acquire more land, on which they established farms and vineyards, further increasing their wealth.