Revision Topic Sheet 15: Hospitallers' Militarisation

Question 1

What leader helped bring the Hospitallers from a health service to a military order?

Answer 1

Raymond of Puy, who wanted to rival the Templars in political influence and military capability.

Question 2

What historian can be used to evidence why the Hospitallers became a Military Order?

Answer 2

J Riley-Smith, as he argued that the main reason for the Hospitallers to become a Military Order was the need to defend the Holy Lands, as a period of military crisis for the Franks had occurred in 1123 when Baldwin II was captured.

Question 3

What were the privileges that the Hospitallers had after becoming Military Orders?

Answer 3

• 1/10 of loot captured from the Saracens.
• Donations counted as penance (taxes).
• Choose their own leaders.

Question 4

How did Raymond develop the Hospitallers?

Answer 4

He made the Hospitallers a full-time Military Order and set an organisational structure with routines for its members.

Question 5

What were the main roles that different members of the Hospitallers had?

Answer 5

• Preceptors supervised all estates and goods.
• Priors were the head chaplains (personal priests).
• Marshals were responsible for the hospital.
• Treasurers collected all the money.
• Knights, Chaplains and Sergeants were soldiers.