The Military Religious Orders of the Middle Ages

Knights of the sword and Cross

The principal tenets of the chivalric code of the Christian Knights of the middle ages were to fear God, to protect the afflicted and to serve ones master faithfully. The foundation of these essential principles were inevitably fertile ground for the emergence of the military religious orders of the medieval period. All was in place but the organisational structure in which the individual could live out his vows and these were introduced in several organisations of varying size and influence. This book explains the creation, activities, campaigns and battles and the knights who lived and fought under the banner of Christ often in opposition to the forces of Islam in the Middle East of the Crusades period. Within its pages the reader will discover the Knights of St. John-the Hospitallers, the Knights Templars and many minor, but interesting orders-including the Order of Avis, the Order of the Holy Ghost and the Order of Our Lady of the Lily-which flourished in Britain and Europe during the period. This is an invaluable insight into the organisation of knights of the medieval period. Available in softcover and hardback with dust jacket.