A biblical figure, perhaps Abraham, in the garb of a pilgrim or travelling monk on a carved capital, Burgundian 1120-30. (In situ Cathedral, Autun, France; author’s photograph)
Unlike their sometime rivals the Templars, the Order of St John of the Hospital of Jerusalem (or the Hospitallers as they are better known) was not created as a result of the First Crusade in 1099. It already existed, but the way in which the Order then evolved from a charitable organisation into one of the most effective fighting forces of the Middle Ages was a consequence of the crusading movement. In the process the Hospitallers became recognised experts in the military capabilities of opposing Islamic armies. As their military importance grew, so the Military Orders asserted increasing independence in matters of war and peace with neighbouring peoples. The failure of the Crusader States to expand after their first few successful years also meant that they lacked sufficient land to maintain adequate armies. In fact these largely urban coastal states often relied on mercenaries and, of course, the dedicated standing armies of the Military Orders.
While the Hospitallers increased in power and influence in the Middle East, so the system of financial and logistical support which they created in Western Europe similarly grew in size, wealth and political influence. The Hospitaller presence in Western Europe was largely non-military, with the major exception of their role in the Iberian peninsula. Here, on what could be called Latin Christendom’s second front with the Islamic world, the Hospitallers and other Military Orders took a leading part in the Spanish Reconquista. But even here, the ifrir, as they were known to their Muslim Moorish opponents (from the French freres or brothers), were not singled out for the special attention given them in the Middle East.
CHRONOLOGY
c. 1080 Establishment of the Hospital of St John in Jerusalem under Islamic rule.
1099 First Crusade captures Jerusalem; the Blessed Gerard traditionally becomes the first Master of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.
1113 Pope Paschal II recognises the Hospital of St John in Jerusalem as an Order of the Church; the Blessed Gerard becomes actual first Master.
1119-20 Order of the Knights Templar founded.
1120 Death of the Blessed Gerard; the Blessed Raymond du Puy becomes Master of the order.
1126 First reference to a constable of the Hospitallers.
1128 Order of the Templars officially recognised by the Catholic Church.
c. 1130 Composition of the first Rule of the Order of Hospitallers.
c. 1135-54 Hospitallers awarded exemption, becoming independent of local religious authorities.
1136 Castle of Bethgibelin granted to Hospitallers.
1144 Krak des Chevaliers and four smaller castles given to the Hospitallers.
1147-48 First unclear reference to a brother-knight of the Hospitallers, c. 1150 Construction of Hospitaller castle at Belmont.
1160 Auger de Baiben becomes Master of the order.
1162 Arnold de Comps becomes Master of the order, followed by Gilbert d’Assailly the same year.
1163-69 Definite emergence of Hospitaller brothers-in-arms.
1168-72 Construction of Hospitaller castle of Belvoir.
1170 Cast de Murols becomes Master of the order.
1172 Jobert de Syrie becomes Master of the order.
1177 Roger de Moulins becomes Master of the order; Crusader States defeat Saladin at Mont Gisard.
1186 Castle of Marqab given to the Hospitallers.
1187 Saladin crushes kingdom of Jerusalem at battle of Hattin; Armengaud d’Asp becomes Master of the order; Saladin retakes Jerusalem and Hospitallers lose their HQ.
1188 Rule written for the Hospitaller Sisters in Aragon.
1190 Gamier de Naples becomes Master of the order.
1191 Hospitallers move their headquarters to Acre.
1193 Geoffrey de Donjon becomes Master of the order.
1202 Severe earthquake damages Krak des Chevaliers, after which Hospitallers decide on major enlargement.
1203 Alfonso de Portugal becomes Master of the order.
1206 Geoffrey le Rat becomes Master of the order.
1207 Garin de Montaigu becomes Master of the order.
1228 Bertrand de Thessy becomes Master of the order.
1229 Jerusalem ceded to the Kingdom of Jerusalem by treaty; Hospitaller HQ remains in Acre.
1230 Guerin becomes Master of the order.
1236 Bertrand de Comps becomes Master of the order.
1239 Pierre de Vieille Bride becomes Master of the order.
1242 Guillaume de Chateauneuf becomes Master of the order.
1244 Jerusalem retaken by Muslims (Khwarazmians).
1256-58 Civil war in kingdom of Jerusalem.
1258 Hugues Revel becomes Master of the order.
1263-68 Mamluks devastate Nazareth, retake Caesarea, Arsuf, Saphet, Jaffa, Belfort and Antioch.
1271 Mamluks retake Chastel Blanc, Krak des Chevaliers and Montfort.
1274 Proposal to unify all Military Orders is not adopted.
1277-83 Civil war in County of Tripoli (1277-83).
1285 Jean de Villiers becomes Master of the order; Mamluks take Marqab.
1287-89 Mamluks retake Latakia and Tripoli.
1291 Mamluks retake Acre; almost all remaining Crusader enclaves taken or abandoned.
1293 Eudes des Pins becomes Master of the order.
1296 Guillaume de Villaret becomes Master of the order.
1299 Mamluks take castle of Roche Guillaume.
1302 Mamluks take Ruad island; probable end of Latin authority in Jbayl.
1305 Foulques de Villaret becomes Master of the order.
1306 Hospitallers begin invasion of Byzantine island of Rhodes.
The primitive, and now very battered, wall-paintings in Hardham date from around 1125. In addition to a picture of St George slaying a Muslim at Antioch there is this illustration of King Herod’s guards in which the wicked ruler's soldiers have been given Middle Eastern lamellar armour. (In situ, Church of St Botolph, Hardham, England; author’s photograph)