Bernard Essentially Built the Order Templars

Bernard of Clairvaux is rightfully considered to be a co-founder of Knights Templar (with Hugh of Champagne – Hugues de Payens was but a nominal founder and first Grand Master of the order).

But he was much more than that. Bernard essentially built the order of Templar. Most likely, it was Bernard who came up with the official name Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon for the order. As well as with other names: Order of Solomon’s Temple, Knights Templar, or simply the Templars.

Bernard was the principal author of Latin Rule of Templars (Hugh of Champagne was more his assistant than his co-author). Bernard convinced King Baldwin II of Jerusalem and Warmund, Patriarch of Jerusalem co convene the Council of Nablus (no small feat) to approve the creation of order of Knights Templar.

He convinced King Baldwin II to grant the Templars a headquarters in a wing of the royal palace on the Temple Mount in the captured Al-Aqsa Mosque – no small feat either (it was the most coveted piece of real estate in Jerusalem back then).

Bernard convinced Pope Honorius II to convene the Council of Troyes to officially recognize the order of Knights Templar by the Holy See (and thus by the Church). And then convinced Pope Innocent II to granted the Templars exemption from episcopal and secular authority.

This ruling meant that the Templars could pass freely through all borders (were exempt from customs duties and inspections), were not required to pay any taxes (or tithes) and were exempt from all authority except that of the Pope.

Bernard also convinced Pope Innocent II to permit the Templars to appoint their own priests – an important step that ensured the secrecy of the Order’s internal matters. Confessions were heard by a Templar priest and not by an outside cleric. And then convinced Pope Eugenius III, to permit the Templars to build their own churches and own their own cemeteries (very handy for Ark Templar religion).

Why would he do all that? Definitely not to protect pilgrims en route from Jaffa to Jerusalem – and not even to protect the Outremer. He did it because he believed that it was absolutely vital to create a mighty security force that would prevent the Ark of the Covenant from ever getting into wrong hands.

In that, he succeeded.