In Praise Of The New Knighthood Analysis

The primary source In Praise of the New Knighthood, written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, praises the Templars, a military order who were endorsed by the church. The letter was written with intent supporting the purpose of the Templars as well as encoring further work from the Templars, (Prol.). The letter was written to the master of the Templars, Hugh, (Prol.), to pass along the churches appreciation of the work the Temple was doing by fighting for Christ. The letter pointed out that these knights had no need to be fearful, as they were fighting for Christ, and therefore even if they were to die, they are protected by Christ himself, and that if they do die, then they will finally be with him, (Ch. 1). St. Bernard further encourages the courageous acts of the Templars when he mentioned that when fighting for Christ, if one was to die, while their body and sins would be dead, their soul will live on, (Ch. 1). The second chapter of the letter discussed the characteristics a member of the Templars was to have:
“As you yourselves have often certainly experienced, a warrior especially needs these three things – he must guard his person with strength, shrewdness and care; he must be free in his movements, and he must be quick to draw his

3). The fourth chapter outlined the lifestyle of a Templar. It stated that Templars must listen and obey, as well as be effective while on duty, (Ch.4). While Templars were at battle, they were to arm themselves as best as they could have, seek out the strongest horse, and set their minds to winning the battle, not the glory that it would have brought to them, (Ch. 4). Finally, chapter five discussed the importance of Jerusalem to the Temple, and how the Templars were to respect the holy