[History] Knightly Orders

I was wondering if any resident historians could help me out, or perhaps point me in the right direction, on the subject of knightly orders in our own history. Specifically, the role they played or ended up playing. Such as the Templars getting involved in banking. I'd like to find out more of other orders of that day and their doings and prevalence.

Thank ye kindly,
Wanderlust

Any local college or public library will have sources for you, but one of the easier reads would be John J. Robinson's Dungeon, Fire and Sword concerning the Knights Templar.

I'm currently taking a class on the Crusades for the summer, but we haven't gotten that far yet-- just through all the background/ set up material. If I come across more, I'll post it...

Greetings!

"A Chronicle History of Knights" Hopkins, Andrea; Barnes and Noble Book; 2004; Singapore; 192 pages.

This is a popular book, though well-written, and good for capturing paintings and pictures and concise descriptions of a day in the life of a templar, and other interesting things about knights, knight orders, and knighthood.

"The First Crusade" Asbridge, Thomas; Oxford 2004, New York; 408 pages.

This book is a scholar's work, and while precise and thorough in historical analysis, the book is well-written and accessible to the general reader, as well as being of interest to the scholar. This book goes into step-by-step analysis of how the crusade began, what it was like, and the whole scene of military exploits, battles, and sieges throughout the campaign, as well as providing incisive narration on the political environment of the Crusader States and the Muslim nations surrounding them.

"Dungeon, Fire, & Sword" Robinson, John J. Barnes and Noble 1991, New York; 494 pages.

This is a scholarly work, though quite accessible to the general reader. The analysis is good, with accurate descriptions and analysis of the various campaigns and personalities involved throughout the crusades. The work is detailed on the organization, training, tactics and equipment of the Knights Templar and other knights and warriors fighting in the Crusades. An excellent book!

These should get you started! Try finding them at the local library, or go search for them at your local bookstore. They provide a good mix of pictures, maps, analysis, and narration.

I'll write more later if you like.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

There's a Wikipedia article on Knightly Orders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightly_orders

Try Osprey Publishing, too.

There was the Knights of the Order of St. Lazarus, that was composed entirely of people stricken with leprosy. They died out.

That said, I always wanted to try to run a game with a group of knights with a wasting illness, trying to accomplish some goal before they succumbed.

There was the Hospitaliers (founded hospitals).

There was a Teutonic order of Knights. Not sure if they did anything longlasting.

Particle_Man said:

There was a Teutonic order of Knights. Not sure if they did anything longlasting.

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Well they helped found the Holy Roman Empire...

Particle_Man said:

There was a Teutonic order of Knights. Not sure if they did anything longlasting.

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They conquered and christianiced Prussia and at least parts of poland, the sword brothers after their losses integrated in this order.
They were one of the three great church orders. Teutonic, templars and Hospitalitiers/St Johns.

Then there were the iberian orders of Saint James and so on.

sword-dancer said:

Then there were the iberian orders of Saint James and so on.

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The iberian orders were Alcántara, Calatrava, Santiago y Montesa (the spanish names, anyway). They helped in the Reconquista.

Yes i tried to translate the german translation in english.