The Rule of the Knights Templar

Rules-Monastic Life
The rule, that was established at the Council of Troyes, was relatively compact. It contained only 72 articles which mainly set out the rules in relation to Monastic Life of the Knights Templar. It contained general rules that could also apply in Monasteries of different Religious Orders: vows of: Obedience, poverty, chastity, communal life, meals together, silence during meals, eight times a day required communal prayer, established austere clothing style, rules for entry into the order, dietary rules, and their weekly Chaptermeeting.

The weekly meetings
During these gatherings-which were compulsory for every Templar at every level in the organisation, even at the lowest levels of the preceptory or there where at least 4 brethren were gathered- all current events were discussed critically. Violations of the Rule were established and punished if deemed proper and important decisions were made.

One could summarize the above to: the Templars were above all Monastic.

Rules-warrior
The diversion from common monastic rules is interesting, because the Templars were next to monastic, also soldiers with a specific assignment. Firstly, there was the socalled: "Fourth vow" which meant that they swore to devote themselves to the protection of the pilgrims. Also, the soldiers should have a healthy and powerful body, that;s why the Templar Monks had it relatively comfortable, compared to Monks from other orders. But the last rule was very general and very specific as well:

..."The Brethren ought to obey the Master and the Master ought to obey his Chapter”...

This rule excludes absolutism. This is in fact a quite important structure. The Master was thus considered as: ..."primus inter pares"... (the first amongst the equals). It seems a very balanced structure within this Order. And lastly, every preceptory ought to have a copy of the Rule in it's possession and the Rule was to be kept secret to outsiders.