chapter could decide on all matters relating to the

order, some important affairs, such as war and peace, excepted ; make laws, and regulations^ which were binding on the whole society ; and send visitors to the different provinces. All public documents, such as papal bulls, were addressed to it and the Master ; all decisions in matters of importance came from it ; and all the brethren who were received in the West were sent to it to be distributed where they might be wanting. The declaration made by a French knight on his examination, that the recep- tions in the chapter of Jerusalem were rare, as the members could be seldom brought to agree respect- ing a candidate, gives a hint that it was not in general a scene of the greatest harmony and unity. It is, indeed, but natural to suppose, that, as it was the chief seat of the power of the order, it was also the great theatre of intrigue and cabal.
Each province of the order had its general chap- ter, and also a smaller one, presided over by the great-prior, and composed of the principal officers and such knights of character and estimation as the prior chose to call to it. In like manner every pre- ceptory and every large house of the order had its chapter, at which all the brethren were required to attend. The commander was president, and each question was decided by the majority of voices. The chief transactions in it consisted in the reception of new brethren, and the making up of quarrels and
disputes, which must have frequently fallen out amon^ men like the Templars, who were ulmost all soldiers. It was holden early on a Sunday morning ; and the strictest secrecy, as to what took place, was enjoined on all present, for secrecy was ike soul of ike order.
The ordinary chapters were held in the following manner. Each brother, as he entered, made the sign of the cross, and, unless he was bald, took off his cap. The president then rose and said, " Stand up, beloved brethren, and pray lo God to send his holy grace among us to-day." Each member repeated & pater nosier, and, if there was a chaplain present, he said a prayer. Search was then made to see that there was no one present bnt those who belonged to the order. The president then delivered a discourse, exhorting the brethren to amendment of life. During this discourse no one was on any account to leave the room. When it was ended, any one who had transgressions to acknowledge weiil up to the presi- dent and made confession. He then retired out of sight and hearing, and the sentiments of the assembly were taken, which were afterwards signified to him. The brethren were also to remind each other of their tran^ressions, and exhort to confession and penitence. If any one accused a brother falsely, he was severely punished for it : while the inquiry was going on the accused was obliged lo retire from the chapter. The discipline was usually administered in presence of the assembled chapter, with a scourgi or with a girdle. Those who were sick were nc punished till they were recovered.
When these matters were over, the president ei plained a portion of ihe statutes, and exhorted all present to live suitably thereto. He then said, " Beloved brethren, we may now close our chaptei for, praise be to God, all is well; and may God and
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our dear Lady g^rant that it may so continue, find goodness be every day iiicveased. Beloved brelhrea, ye must know how it is with pardon in our chapter, and who has not part (herein ; know, then, that (hose have no pari either in the pardon of our chapter, or in the other ;^od works of thf chapter; who live as they should not; who depart from the righte- ousness of the order; who do nut ackiiowledgu their offences and do penance in the mode prescribed by Ihe order; who treat the alms of the order as iheir own properly, or in any other way contrary to law, and squander them in an unrighteous, scandalous. and foolish manner. But those who honestly ac- knowledge their faults, and conceal nothing out of sliame or fear of the punishment of the order, and are right sorry for their transgressions, have a large share in the forgiveness of onr chapter, and in the good ivorks which take place in our order. And lo such, in virtue of my authority, I dispense forgive- ness in the name of God and of our dear Lady, in the names of ihe aposties Peter and Paul, of our father the pope, and of youallwhohave given me authority ; and pray to God thai, according to his mercy, he will, for the merjis of his mother, and of himself, and all tiie saints, forgive you your sins, as he ibr- gave the famous Mary Magdalene." He then im- plored the forgiveness of those to whom he might have given any oti'ence or done any injury ; and prayed for peace, for the church, for the holy kingdom of Jerusalem, for the older and all its houses and people, for the brethren and sisters of Ihe order, and for its living and dead benefactors; finally, for all the dead who waited for the mercy of God, especially those who lay buried in the Temple burial-grounds, and for the souls of the fathers and molhera of the Templars. The chaplain, if present, repeuted a con- fession of sin, in which all followed him, and then
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pronounced an absolution. If there was no chaplain present, each brother repealed u jiaier and an ave, and so the chapter ended,
Tlie statutes of the order are full of the most minute direclious respecting the equipment, clothing, and mode of living of the various members of the order. They were obliged to attend divine service punctually each day at all the different hours at which it was celebrated, and regularly to observe all the fasts of the church; they were also to have at their houses hoth public and private devotions. Their meals were also strictly regulated. They assembled by sound of bell; if there was a priest in the house he said grace for them, if not, each brother repeated a paliT before he began to eat. During the meal a clergjman read out something edifying for them, and when it was over no one was to speak till grace was said. There was no difference made in the i|Uidily of the food; all, both high and low, fared alike, and they ate two off one plate, 'ITiey had tlcsh-meat hut three times a week, unless when festi- val days occurred. On days when they had no flesh- meat they had but two dishes. When the order were in the field a server regulated the supply and distri- bution of provisions. Before giving out the provisions he was to direct (he serving- brethren to notify it to the superiors of the order, that ihey might come and select the best for themselves; he distributed the remainder without any other distinction than that ol" giving the beat to the sick. The plate given to every two of the brethren was su large that what reuiaiued (vhen they were done was sufBcient ta satisfy two of the poor. Two brethren were allowed as much food as three Turcopoles, and two of these as much as three of the servants. The brethren were not allowed to seek for any food elsewhere thnn from the servir, vegetables, game, and venison excepted. But as hy
i
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he rules of llie order the chase was prohibited o tticiu, they could not procure these themselves.
Aniuscmenls could not be rignrously prohibited to nen who were Eemi-secular, and bad to mingle so much in the world as the Templars. They were therefore allowed to tilt, but only with headless lances; whether only ainong themselves, or also at public tournaments, is uncertain*. They were per- mitted to run races with their horses, but for no higher wager than a headless cross-bow bolt, or other trifle. Chess and draughls were prohi- bited frames; nor were they allowed to play at any other game whatever ibr a stake, Hawkinj was absolutely forbidden lo Ihe Templar, probably on aecoiint of the high price of hawks, and of this being the favourite amusement of tlie secular knights. The reason assigned by the Etatules is. — " Because it is not seemly in the members of an order to play sinfully, but willingly to hearken to the commands of God, to pray oHen, and daily in their prayers before God lo bewail their sins with weeping and tears." A Templar might not even accompany one who was going out a-hawking. Moreover, as shouting and bawling were unseemly in a member of an order, he might not go a-hunling in a wood with bow and crossbow, nor accompany any one thus engaged, except to protect him against the heathen. In fine, every species of chase was forbidden to [he Templar, except that of the lion ' who goes about seeking whom he iiiaydevour, whose tmnd is against every one, and every one's hand against him't,''
The battle was the Templar's scene of glory, and
" SLrW.Scolt would probably find some difficulty in justi- fying hJH makiDgh^B Tcmplai acci^pt the combat a oulrame at Uia " gentle und f(eu jiaHiage of Aabby de U Zouchir."
It Ib not cleu whmhei this a lo be uiideistooil liteiaUj aebphorically, -
THE TEMPLARS. 273
consequently every thing relating to the conduct of the order in war was strictly regulated. On the march the Templars, as the guardians of the holy cross, formed the vanguard of the Christian army; in the array they were in the right wing. The Hospitallers usually formed the rear-guard, and in the field were posted on the left. The Templars mounted and set forward at the voice of their mar- shal, the standard-bearer preceding them with the standard of the order. They moved in a walk or a small trot. The march usually took place by night, on account of the heat of eastern climes, and every precaution was adopted to prevent confusion or in- convenience. When the standard halted for em- campment, the marshal .selected a place for his own tent and the chapel, which was to contain the true cross ; the tents of the server, and of the great-prior of the province, had also their places marked out. It was then cried out, " Brethren, pitch your tents in the name of God !" on which each Templar forth- with raised his tent in his rank. All the tents were around the chapel, outside of its cords. The herald pitched by the standard. No brother was allowed, on any account, to go out of hearing of the war-cry, or to visit the quarters of any others than the Hos- pitallers, in case these last should be encamped beside them. The place for encamping was se- lected by the prior of the province in which the war was, who was therefore in some sort quartermaster- general ; the marshal assigned the different quarters, and over each he set a knight-preceptor to govern and regulate it.
When the battle commenced, the marshal usually took the standard out of the hands of the sub- marshal and unfurled it in the name of God. He then nominated from five to ten of the brethren to
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Bumiund and guard it ; one nf these he mode a knight-preceptor, who was to keep close by him with a l^unner furled oil a. spear, that, in case of that wblch the marshal carried being torn, or having' fallen, or met with any other mishap, he might display it. If the marshal was wounded or surrounded, this knight was to raise the banner in his stead. Nu one was to lower a banner, or thrust with it, on any occuunt, forfear of causing confusion. The brethren were to fight on all sides, and in every \yay in which ihey could annoy the foe, but still tu keep near enough to be able to defend the banner of the order, if needftiJ, But if a Templar saw a Christian in imminent danger, he was at liberty to follow the dictntes of his con- science, and hasten to his relief. He was to return to his place as speedily as possible ; but if the Turks had gotten between him and the banner, he was to join the nearest Christian squadron, giving the pre- ference to the Hospitallers, if they were at hand. Should the Christians meet with defeat, the Templar, under penalty of expulsion from the order, was not to quit the fleld so long as the banner of the order flew; and, should there be no red-cross {lag to be seen, he was to join that of the Hospitallers, or any other. Should every Christian banner have disappeared, he was to retreat as well as he could.
Such were the military principles of the order of the Temple — principles which,
instead of rage, Dclibcote valnur breathed, firm aod unmoved With iliead uf death la flight oi foul retreat ; and never, unquestionably, was more unflinching valour displayed than by the Templars, Where all were brave and daring as the fabled heroes of ro- mance, the Templar was still regarded as prominent, and the Cardinal of Vitry could thus speak of them iu
THE TEMPLARS. 275
the early part of the thirteenth century, when they may be regarded as somewhat declined from their original elevation : —
'^ They seek to expel the enemies of the cross of Christ from the lands of the Christians, by fighting manfully, and by moving to battle at the signal and command of him who is at the head of their forces, not impetuously or disorderedlyy but prudently and with all caution — the first in advance, the last in retreat; nor is it permitted to them to turn their backs in flight, or to retreat without orders. They are become so formidable to the adversaries of the faith of Christ, that one chases a thousand, and two ten thousand ; not asking, when there is a call to arms, how many they are, but where they are : lions in war, gentle lambs at home ; rugged warriors on an expedition, like monks and eremites in the church." The language of the worthy cardinal is no doubt declamatory and rhetorical, and some de- duction must consequently be made from it; but stilt enough will remain to prove that the chivalry of the Temple must still have retained no small portion •of the virtues for which they had been originally re- nowned.
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276 SECRET SOCIETIES.