The founding Knights Templar were predominantly titled Nobles, and the Order was founded under Royal Patronage, making it an institution of nobility. The Templars used this to transform the Courtly Culture of nobility, developing and establishing a class of nobility by meritocracy.
Nobility was primarily a means of encouraging future generations to have the skills and values to support noble causes for humanity. The Knights Templar regarded Titles of Nobility as solemn obligations carrying profound responsibilities to uphold the values and missions of historical institutions.
As firmly established in the historical record, the Order of Knights of the Temple helped develop the medieval system and traditions of royalty and nobility, which are thus an integral part of authentic Templar culture and heritage. As a sovereign non-territorial (international) Principality with a Prince Grand Master, the restored Templar Order also possesses the legal capacity to grant legitimate Titles of Nobility, for earned merit in strategic positions of humanitarian service, when appropriate.
Ennoblement of Knights of the Order of Saint Louis (in 1693 AD), painting by François Marrot (1710 AD), in Versailles Palace
Despite popular misconceptions, in authentic Templarism nobility is not about mere “titles”, and Titles of Nobility are not about personal “status”, and strictly not for any self-aggrandizement.
Rather, the Knights Templar regarded positions of nobility as solemn obligations, carrying a profound responsibility for representing and upholding the traditions, values and missions of the related historical institutions. Templars considered nobility – like knighthood itself – to be another form of a working system for organized service to humanity.
For the Knights Templar, although the feudal system was reliant upon the nobility system, the two were separate, and the institution of Chivalry itself was essentially opposed to feudalism:
The Code of Chivalry of 1066 AD commanded to “perform… thy feudal duties, [only] if they be not contrary to the laws of God.”
The 19th century French historian Emile Leon Gautier documented that the Knights always sought to contain “feudalism, so disastrous to the Church and to the Good.” As Gautier explained: “The Code of Chivalry tempered this rudeness,” serving to counterbalance the harshness of secular obligations with “the spirit of toleration”. ((Emile Leon Gautier, La Chevalerie (1883), translated in: Henry Frith, Chivalry, George Routledge & Sons, London (1891), Chapter IV, Commandment VII.))
The Knights Templar were also opposed to the elitism which was implicit in the feudal system:
The Temple Rule of 1129 AD established that the Order is dedicated to “the love of Justice which constitutes its duties” (Rule 2), requiring Knights to “govern Justly” and “take your rights” only as “specifically established” by law (Rule 57). It declared that “no person shall be elevated” and the strong must “give thanks to God” for it and care for the weak (Rule 34), and that “God holds both the strong and the weak equal” (Rule 38). ((Henri de Curzon, La Règle du Temple, La Société de L’Histoire de France, Paris (1886), in Librairie Renouard, Rules 2, 34, 38, 57.))
Nonetheless, when the Knights Templar fought against arbitrary abuses of power by royalty, imposing the Magna Carta Libertatum (“Great Charter of Liberties”) on the King in 1215 AD ((T.F. Tout, “Fitzwalter, Robert” in Leslie Stephen, Dictionary of National Biography, London, Smith Elder & Co. (1889), p.226.)) ((Gabriel Ronay, The Tartar Khan’s Englishman, London, Cassel (1978), pp.38-40.)) ((Lord Judge Master of the Temple, The Greatest Knight, in The Inner Temple Yearbook: 2013-2014, Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, pp.14-15.)), they did so as Nobles, owning and representing the institution of nobility as characterized by their humanitarian and libertarian values.
For this reason, history books called it the “Baron’s war” for Magna Carta, referring to the Templars generically as “Barons”, although almost half of them were actually higher nobility including many Earls (Counts).
In the modern world of countries which are mostly constitutional republics, the institution of nobility appears to be an anachronistic anomaly. As nobility is no longer readily identified by a clear meaningful role of practical relevance, the function and value of the institution are overlooked, as its ancient principles have been mostly long forgotten.
In modern ‘history’ textbooks, nobility is commonly only associated with the medieval feudal system centered around sovereign rights of land ownership, and serfdom working for feudal land owners. This partial aspect, taken out of context, promotes the false assumption that the nature or goal of nobility is a justification to “rule over” people, but the historical reality is quite contrary to that misinterpretation.
‘The End of the Song’ by Edmund Leighton (1902 AD)
Use of the term “Nobility” (from the Latin word ‘Nobilitas‘ meaning “notable”) originated in ancient Rome, describing members of the political governing class who earned their status of public office by their own merit, or who had an ancestor who had earned such status through his own merit.
Throughout history, membership in nobility was often earned by one’s substance and merit, enabling “common” people to become titled as nobility. Many Barons, Counts and higher nobles were titled by their Sovereign for extraordinary achievements, brave and effective military leadership, and other genuine accomplishments of merit.
Even persisting into modern times, many people have been titled as Knights and Dames in nobility for notable contributions and advances in science, arts, exploration or scholarship of international importance.
From as early as the 6th century, Titles of Nobility were not only hereditary, but also resulted from holding a position of public office by appointment from a King. Indeed, the primary nobility titles originated from the titles of Crown Officers under the early French Kings (during the 6th – 8th centuries):
A “Count”, from the Latin ‘Comes’ meaning “companion”, was the governor of a city and the surrounding region, or a high official in the King’s entourage. A “Marquis” was the governor of a ‘March’ region at the boundaries of the kingdom needing special defenses. A “Duke”, from the Latin ‘Dux’ meaning “leader”, was the governor of a province, usually also a military leader. ((François Velde, Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica (1996), updated (2003), “History of Nobility: Titles of Nobility: Titles as Offices”.))
The Knights Templar, dedicated to the principle of meritocracy, expanded on the 1st century Roman tradition of earned merit for quasi-nobility Titles of Office, and the 6th century practice of earned merit for higher Titles of Nobility which were really Titles of Office, increasingly replacing hereditary status.
As a leading cultural force promoting Chivalry by meritocracy for developing the Courtly Culture of nobility throughout Europe, the 12th century Templar Order effectively promoted Titles of Nobility by earned merit, making this well established from the 13th century.
As a result, nobility could also be acquired “by letters” for earned merit, “that is, by Royal grant” in a Letters Patent. “The earliest examples date from the last third of the 13th century.” ((François Velde, Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica (1996), updated (2003), “History of Nobility: Acquisition of Nobility”.))
Surviving Templars continued to develop and promote meritocracy in nobility, carrying it into the Renaissance period, making this better established from the 16th century.
Experts on heraldic law and nobiliary history confirm that apart from the normal hereditary means, “one could also acquire nobility, and that was a… significant [practice] since the 16th century.” ((François Velde, Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica (1996), updated (2003), Chapter “History of Nobility”, Sections “Acquisition of Nobility”, “Numbers”.))
Nobility could be acquired “by office”, where “depending on the office, the holder of the office became noble either immediately or after a number of years… There were about 4000 offices conferring nobility of some kind in the 18th century. Nobility thus attained was called ‘noblesse de robe’ (for judicial offices)”, or “noblesse de cloche” (for municipal offices).
Cambridge University historians documented that a full 26% of Nobility Titles in France “had been acquired during the 18th century”. Of those acquired, 85% were obtained “by office”, and 15% were granted “by letters”. ((Guy Chaussinand-Nogaret, The French Nobility in the Eighteenth Century, Cambridge University Press (1985).))
Supporting the concept that Titles of Nobility were largely based upon meritocracy, “one could lose nobility, by failing at one’s feudal duties (‘déchéance’) or practicing forbidden occupations (‘dérogeance’).” ((François Velde, Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica (1996), updated (2003), “History of Nobility: Acquisition of Nobility”.))
By customary law, hereditary titles of royalty and nobility could also be revoked, for any serious misconduct or embarrassment. Therefore, even a hereditary title must be held and maintained only through earned merit, in accordance with the underlying principle of meritocracy.
Accordingly, the automatic passing of a hereditary title to heirs and successors is merely a traditional presumption that offspring of the younger generation have been raised, educated and trained by the elders, and thus have absorbed and follow the meritorious principles of royalty and nobility.
The Templar Patron Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, in his speech In Praise of the New Knighthood (ca. 1136 AD), confirmed that while the Order was an institution of nobility, Templar Nobility was based upon egalitarian meritocracy over bloodlines: “There is no distinction of persons among them, and deference is shown to merit rather than to noble blood.” (Chapter 4) ((Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, Liber ad Milites Templi: De Laude Novae Militae, “Speech on Knights of the Temple: In Praise of the New Knighthood” (ca. 1136 AD); Translated in: Conrad Greenia, Bernard of Clairvaux: Treatises Three, Cistercian Fathers Series, No. 13, Cistercian Publications (1977), pp.127-145, “Chapter 4”.))
The founding Knights Templar were almost all either titled Nobles, or “Vassals” under Noble Patronage. The Templar Order was founded under Royal Patronage of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, essentially making it a “Royal Order” and thus an institution of nobility. As a result, the Order was deeply rooted in the medieval system of nobility.
However, as it often happens that “influence goes both ways”, the Templars as a Noble Order evidently used this status to transform the Courtly Culture of nobility throughout Europe.
The 1st Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Hughes de Payens, was a Senior Vassal of Count Hugh de Champagnes, a Noble Patron of the Cistercian Order ((Michael Lamy, Les Templiers: Ces Grand Seigneurs aux Blancs Manteaux, Auberon (1994), Bordeaux (1997), p.28.)). In 1116 AD, Count Hugh appointed and sponsored Hughes de Payens to establish the Templar Order. Count Hugh himself joined the Knights Templar in 1125 AD. ((William of Tyre, Historia Rerum in Partibus Transmarinis Gestarum (ca. 1172 AD), XII, 7, Patrologia Latina, 201, 526-27, translated in: James Brundage, The Crusades: A Documentary History, Marquette University Press, Milwaukee (1962), pp.70-73.))
The 2nd Grand Master, Robert de Crayon, was a Senior Vassal of Count Fulk d’Anjou, the first major Noble Patron of the Templar Order. Count Fulk himself formally joined the Templars in 1120 AD, essentially serving as its 10th founding Knight, and helped Robert de Crayon become Grand Master in 1136 AD. ((Malcolm Barber & Keith Bate, The Templars: Selected Sources, Manchester University Press (2002), p.6.))
The 19th century British Barrister and Templar historian Charles G. Addison noted that the first nine founding Knights of the Templar Order were all titled nobility or under Noble Patronage ((Charles G. Addison, The History of the Knights Templar (1842), pp.4-5.)). The first nine founding Knights of the Templar Order were:
(1) Hughes de Payens (1st Grand Master), Senior Vassal of Count Hugh de Champagne, (2) Robert de Craon (2nd Grand Master), Senior Vassal of Count Fulk d’Anjou, (3) Andre de Montbard (5th Grand Master), (4) Lord Godfrey of Saint-Omer, (5) Payen de Mintdidier, (6) Archambaud de St. Agnan, (7) Geoffrey Bison, (8) Rossal, and (9) Gondamer.
Medieval chroniclers reported that all nine of those founding Templars were titled Nobles from a Royal House, as all were relatives of King Baldwin II either by blood or marriage.
In 1118 AD, King Baldwin II granted the Templars a headquarters in his palace, evidencing a relationship of Royal Patronage ((Collier’s Encyclopedia, Thomson Gale (1985), 1985 Edition, Macmillan Library Reference (1990), “Knights Templars”.)) ((Charles G. Addison, The History of the Knights Templar (1842), pp.4-5, citing a Vatican document by the 13th century Pope Urban IV (Jacques Pantaleon, 1195-1264), the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, as “Pantaleon, Lib. iii. p. 82.”)), a fact which was confirmed by Vatican records ((The Vatican, The Catholic Encyclopedia (1912), The Encyclopedia Press, New York (1913), Volume 14, “Templars, Knights”, p.493.)).
The contemporary chronicler William of Tyre documented that in 1119 AD, King Baldwin II officially confirmed Royal Patronage of the Templars as an Order of Chivalry ((William of Tyre, Historia Rerum in Partibus Transmarinis Gestarum (ca. 1172 AD), XII, 7, Patrologia Latina, 201, 526-27, translated in: James Brundage, The Crusades: A Documentary History, Marquette University Press, Milwaukee (1962), pp.70-73.)), and that fact was witnessed by other 12th century chroniclers ((Ernoul & Bernard, Chronique d’Ernoul et de Bernard le Tresorier (ca. 1188), Ed. L. de Mas Latrie, Paris (1871), Chapter 2, pp.7-8.)). William of Tyre also documented that the official Royal Patronage of King Baldwin II was again reconfirmed and formalized at the Council of Nablus in 1120 AD. ((Kingdom of Jerusalem, Council of Nablus: Concordat of Canons (1120 AD), established by Patriarch Warmund and Kind Baldwin II of the Kingdom of Jerusalem; Preserved in the Sidon Manuscript, Vatican Library, MS Vat. Lat. 1345: “Introduction to Canons”; Canon 20.)) ((Hans E. Mayer, The Concordat of Nablus, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Cambridge University Press, No. 33 (October 1982), pp.531-533, 541-542.)) ((Dominic Selwood, Quidem Autem Dubitaverunt: The Saint, the Sinner, the Temple; Published in: M. Balard (Editor), Autour de la Première Croisade, Publications de la Sorbonne, Paris (1996), pp.221-230.)) ((Dominic Selwood, Knights Templar III: Birth of the Order (2013), historian for Daily Telegraph of London, article.)) ((Malcolm Barber, The Trial of the Templars, Cambridge University Press (1978), p.5, p.8.)) ((Malcolm Barber & Keith Bate, The Templars: Selected Sources, Manchester University Press (2002), p.5.))
The contemporary chronicler Simon de St. Bertin, in his Annals ca. 1136 AD, referred to some of the early Crusaders (who were founders and later the Grand Mastery of the Templar Order) as “the Princes of God’s army” ((Simon de St. Bertin, Gesta Abbatum Sancti Bertini Sithensium (ca. 1136), Ed. O. Holder-Egger, in Monumenta Germanica Historica Scriptores, Vol.13, p.649.)). This general reference to “Princes” indicates that they were widely known to be titled nobility from Royal Houses or under Royal Patronage.
University historians confirm that for many decades “during the 1130’s and 1140’s” and thereafter, “all Masters” of the Templar Grand Mastery “were leading political and military figures in the Kingdom of Jerusalem”, and “at least seven” of the Grand Masters “were appointed by direct secular intervention” of the Kings of Jerusalem. ((Malcolm Barber & Keith Bate, The Templars: Selected Sources, Manchester University Press (2002), p.5.))
This evidences that the Grand Mastery itself was deeply rooted in the contemporary system of royalty and nobility.
The 21st century British Barrister and Oxford scholar Dominic Selwood, historian for the London Daily Telegraph newspaper, confirmed that some Templars were high nobility from “prominent royal and aristocratic houses”, and “the majority” of Knights came from “second-tier noble families” ((Dominic Selwood, Knights Templar I: The Knights (2013), historian for Daily Telegraph of London, article.)).
Knighthood or damehood itself is inherently a status of nobility: University scholars define a category called “nobility of knightly origin” since the 14th century, which “requires that the first traceable ancestor be a knight.” ((François Velde, Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica (1996), updated (2003), “History of Nobility: Numbers”.))
Experts on heraldic and nobiliary law note that “Chevaliers (Knights) were a subset of the nobility, which included… members of the Orders of knighthood of the King, but also members of families of ancient nobility, even untitled.” ((François Velde, Nobility and Titles in France, Heraldica (1996), updated (2003), “History of Nobility: Titles of Nobility: Created Titles”.))
Historically, Royals and Nobles generally possessed substantial wealth, both financially and in land and property ownership. This predominant situation was significantly enhanced by cumulative inheritance over many generations of dynasties of Noble Houses, during an era when the legal framework of society protected the accumulation of hereditary assets.
‘William Caxton Showing First Specimen of Printing to King Edward IV’ by Daniel Maclise (1851 AD), with children
This characteristic of wealth was not for its own sake. First, the wealth of royalty and nobility was regularly and generously used for charity, sponsorship of education, science, arts and culture, and other forms of philanthropy. Second, the financial independence of Noble Houses gave those families the freedom to dedicate their lives to missions and causes of a higher purpose for the betterment of humanity.
Nobles were constantly striving to learn and master skills, write books of great importance to scholarship, research and preserve historical knowledge and artifacts, undertake the exploration of new worlds or new spheres of science, and many other worthy endeavors.
Such beneficial activities for humanity were so deeply ingrained in the tradition of royalty and nobility, that this literally originated the phrases “noble pursuit” and “noble cause”.
As a result of having the financial independence to constantly pursue noble causes, develop knowledge, and preserve history, families of royalty and nobility were essentially “institutions” in their own right. Noble families typically possessed a castle, an extensive library, heirlooms including historical artifacts and works of fine art, and had an entourage and staff of many of the world’s top scholars, educators and experts.
Accordingly, growing up in a noble family was very much like attending an advanced private university and skills training academy throughout one’s life.
Young Nobles Training in Fencing, Renaissance manuscript
Children of nobility were intensively schooled, from the earliest age of near infancy, in history, art, science, religion and military arts such as swordsmanship and horse riding. Noble children were literally raised to be governors, scholars, diplomats, priestly religious leaders and warriors, all rolled into one.
This tradition led to the expression “Renaissance man”, meaning a person of multiple and diverse earned skills, which in combination literally contributes to and promotes the “Renaissance” (French meaning “rebirth”), or revitalization, of contemporary civilization.
For these reasons, nobility is often hereditary, not because of an unfounded “birthright” merely by chance of birth to the right parents, but rather based upon the assumption that growing up in a Noble family would guarantee proper education and training, and would instill traditional cultural, spiritual and humanitarian values.
Accordingly, being raised in a Noble House was expected to reliably ensure that one would have all the knowledge, skills and traditions from all of one’s ancestors, collectively.
Just as Nobles benefited from accumulated wealth, they also benefited from accumulated knowledge, by giving top priority to education and skills training. This knowledge was passed down through many generations. In this way, a House of Nobility functions as an institution for the preservation of history, culture, tradition and positive social values.
Considering that the institution of family (and family values) was especially strong during the relevant earlier periods of history, the intended guarantee that hereditary nobility would be backed by real merit was all the more meaningful and justified.
‘Queen Charlotte with Two Eldest Sons’ by Johan Zoffany 1765 AD (Detail)
Therefore, even the hereditary aspect of nobility is ultimately based upon earned merit, by accomplishments through constant hard work and dedication, driven by a sense of higher purpose.
Additionally, royalty and nobility also included the regular practice of awarding Titles of Nobility to non-hereditary newcomers for their own demonstrated earned merit.
These realities prove that true nobility was never meant to be automatic “entitlement” of privilege. Instead, nobility was truly characterized and defined by upholding higher principles of “meritocracy”:
Nobles were not noble by pretending to be better than other people. They became genuinely noble through intensive lifetime efforts, driven by moral, spiritual and traditional values, inspired by a sense of higher purpose, constantly working to better the world through their own merits of substance.
Over the past two centuries (ca. 1800-2000 AD), most nobility families throughout the world lost their accumulated wealth, primarily through inheritance taxes, political upheavals and the scourge of war.
Thus, most modern Nobles no longer have the benefit of being independently wealthy by inheritance. Just as all ‘commoners’, they are left with their own skills, talents, values and aspirations to achieve higher education and professional status, working hard to make their contributions to humanity.
In most cases they have been given a wealth of knowledge and motivation by their parents and grandparents, as well as the inspiration of their family history and ancestors. Many nobles succeed in rebuilding wealth through their merits and accomplishments.
Networking circles of nobility continue to be often engaged in diverse philanthropic activities, often as financial sponsors, figureheads and high-profile volunteers. All of this is based upon authentic meritocracy.
Learn about the Codes of Chivalry for Templar missions.
Learn about elevation to Knight or Dame in nobility.
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