Latin Rule was the Foundation of Templars

Knights Templar were a military-religious order; however, as the latter always trumps the former, it was religious first and military only second. And all religious orders live under a certain Rule (sort of a constitution, a charter, a collection of laws/rules/principles that the religious community lives by).

The Latin Rule of Knights Templar (also known as the “Specific Behavior for the Templar Order“) was a document with 72 clauses/rules attributed to Bernard de Clairvaux (correctly) and nominally first Grand Master of the order Hugues de Payens (incorrectly). Incorrectly because the latter simply did not have the competencies necessary for co-authoring such a fundamental document.

Because the order of Knights Templar was religious first and military only second, the Latin Rule was based on rules of “civilian” monastic orders. Not surprisingly, it was mostly based on the Rule of Saint Benedict (it even has the same number of clauses) although it did borrow from the Rule of Saint Augustine.

Not surprisingly because the latter became the model for Rules of all Christian monastic communities – and because of the enormous influence of this document on the whole Western civilization. To this day, The Rule of St. Benedict is the most common and influential Rule used by monasteries and monks, more than 1,400 years after its writing.

Beyond its religious influences, the Rule of St Benedict was one of the most important written works to shape medieval Europe, embodying the ideas of a written constitution and the rule of law. It also incorporated a degree of democracy in a non-democratic society.

Obviously, the Rule of Saint Benedict was adapted (by Hugh of Champagne who had the necessary competencies) for use by warrior knights. For example, the fasts were less severe so that they did not interfere with combat.

The original rule was written in 1128 and added to the minutes of the Council of Troyes in 1129. However, in about 1138 under the direction of Robert de Craon, second Grand Master of the order (1136–1149), the Latin Rule was translated into French and modified. Later, it was expanded to include 609 articles, covering such things as hierarchy and justice within the order (among other issues).