Changes

The order was now fully established, though further privileges were subsequently accorded it. In 1147 they were allowed to have Mass said once a year in places lying under Interdict; in 1162, by a special Bull of Pope [[Alexander III (pontiff)|Alexander III]] they were released from all spiritual obedience, except to the Holy See, they were allowed to have their own burial grounds, to have chaplains of their own, and they were freed from the obligation to pay tithes.

The order was now fully established, though further privileges were subsequently accorded it. In 1147 they were allowed to have Mass said once a year in places lying under Interdict; in 1162, by a special Bull of Pope [[Alexander III (pontiff)|Alexander III]] they were released from all spiritual obedience, except to the Holy See, they were allowed to have their own burial grounds, to have chaplains of their own, and they were freed from the obligation to pay tithes.

In 1135, they received further support in the form of a tribute wriiten by Bernard of Clairvaux, entitled ''De laude novae militae'' ("In praise of the new knighthood"), an extract of which shows the esteem in which he held the Order:

In 1135, they received further support in the form of a tribute written by Bernard of Clairvaux, entitled ''De laude novae militae'' ("In praise of the new knighthood"), an extract of which shows the esteem in which he held the Order:

<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.

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.