The Military Religious Orders of the Middle Ages: The Hospitallers, the Templars, the Teutonic Knights, and Others (Classic Reprint)

THE KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS. --.¢+-- CHAPTER 1. The eleventh century-Pilgrimage to Jerusalem-Difficulties or pilgrims from Europe-The two Italian merchants-The first Hospital of St. John at Jerusalem-Jerusalem taken by the Turcemans-New miseries of pilgrims-Peter the IIermit-The· First Crusade. "Then blame not those who by the mightiest lever Known to the moral world, Imagination, Upheave, so seems it, from her natural station All Christendom. They sweep along (was never So huge a host !) to tear from the unbeliever The precious Tomb, their haven of salvation." WORDSWORTH. IN the middle of the eleventh century Jerusalem. was in the hands of the Sultan of Egypt. Great multitudes of pilgrims came every year to visit the Holy Sepulchre, and the other Sacred Places both from the East and 'Vest, being required to pay for the privilege to the llahometan masters. of the Holy Land. The Eastern Christians, or Greeks, many of whom were subjects of the Sultan, were permi

Table of Contents

CONTENTS; PREFACE; INTRODUCTION; The origin of Chivalry-Primitive laws of rank-The use of; the horse in war-The term Ohevalier-The growth of; the medireval system of Knighthood-Charlemagne-Thc; suppression of brigandage-King Arthur-The feudal lord; and the bishop-Ceremonial for the creation of a Knight; -The value of Chivalry as an aid to civilization-Knighterrantry-; Improvement of W,oman's social position-The; Pagan and the Christian warrior compared-The duties; PAGE; xix; of a true Knight 1; PART I; THE KNIGHTS OF ST JOHN OF JERUSALE1U,; OR KNIGHTS HOSPITALLERS; CHAPTER 1; The eleventh century-Pilgrimage to Jerusalem-Difficulties; of pilgrims from Europe-The two Italian merchants-; The first Hospital of St Johu at JerusalemJerusalem; taken by the Turcomans-N ew miseries of; pilgrims-Peter the Hermit-The First Crusade 11; Vlll CONTENTS; C