Hospitallers: The Origins of the Knights Hospitaller
The Hospitallers, one of the most famous military orders of the medieval period, began as a humble order of caretakers in Jerusalem. Founded between 1063 and 1070, the Hospital of Saint John served as an infirmary for the sick and a waystation for weary pilgrims.
In 1099, during the First Crusade, the Hospitallers’ head, Gerard, stayed behind to tend to the sick and even helped the crusaders by throwing loaves of bread to them, pretending they were rocks. After the crusade, the Hospitallers began to militarize and take on a more martial role.
In 1113, the Hospitallers gained independence from the larger churches surrounding them, and their wealth and military strength grew. They hired leftover crusader knights to protect their property and drive back the pagans. By the 12th century, the Hospitallers had taken up the defence and maintenance of Bethgibelin Castle and other castles in the County of Tripoli.
The Hospitallers’ responsibilities included caring for the sick and poor, and they operated various institutions, including hospitals, infirmaries, and orphanages. They also assisted the population with food and money, and educated children.
The Hospitallers’ military branch was focused on defending Christians and engaging in military action alongside the Templars and other similar organizations. They recruited fit and young men from Western Europe, and their military strength was often padded out with mercenaries, including indigenous light horsemen and Latin units who fought for pay.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Crusade | A holy war or military campaign undertaken by Christians to recapture the Holy Land from Muslim rule. | The First Crusade, launched in 1095, was a pivotal event in European history. |
| Infirmary | A hospital or medical facility, especially one for the treatment of the sick or injured. | The Hospital of Saint John served as an infirmary for the sick and a waystation for weary pilgrims. |
| Militarize | To make or become military in character or organization. | The Hospitallers began to militarize and take on a more martial role after the First Crusade. |
| Independence | The state of being free from external control or dependence. | In 1113, the Hospitallers gained independence from the larger churches surrounding them. |
| Pagan | A person who does not believe in the existence of a supreme being or gods. | The Hospitallers hired leftover crusader knights to protect their property and drive back the pagans. |
| Infirmaries | A hospital or medical facility, especially one for the treatment of the sick or injured. | The Hospitallers operated various institutions, including hospitals, infirmaries, and orphanages. |
| Mercenaries | Soldiers who fight for pay, rather than for a country or cause. | Their military strength was often padded out with mercenaries, including indigenous light horsemen and Latin units who fought for pay. |
| Martial | Related to war or the military. | The Hospitallers began to militarize and take on a more martial role after the First Crusade. |
| Recruit | To enlist or engage someone, especially for military service. | The Hospitallers recruited fit and young men from Western Europe. |
| Pilgrims | A person who travels to a sacred place as an act of devotion or to visit a holy site. | The Hospital of Saint John served as a waystation for weary pilgrims. |
Hospitallers Vocabulary Quiz
What does the word “infirmary” mean?
What is the meaning of the word “militarize”?
What does the word “pagans” refer to in this context?
What does the word “infirmaries” mean?
What does the word “mercenaries” refer to?
Answer Key:
1. b) A hospital or a place for the care of the sick
2. b) To become more involved in military activities or to organize as a military force
3. b) Non-Christians, especially those who worship multiple gods
4. b) Places where people are cared for when they are sick or injured
5. b) Soldiers who fight for pay, rather than for their country
The Use of the Past Perfect Simple and Past Simple in Narratives
| Explanation |
|---|
| When telling a story or describing a sequence of events in the past, we often use a combination of the Past Simple and Past Perfect Simple tenses. The Past Simple is used to describe the main events in the narrative, while the Past Perfect Simple is used to describe an action that happened before another action in the past. It can be used to show cause and effect, or to provide additional information about the circumstances surrounding an event. |
Grammar Quiz
1. By the time the Hospitallers ______________ (gain) independence from the larger churches, their wealth and military strength had already grown significantly. A) had gained B) gained C) were gaining D) have gained 2. The Hospitallers ______________ (begin) to militarize and take on a more martial role after the First Crusade. A) had begun B) began C) were beginning D) begin 3. Gerard, the Hospitallers’ head, ______________ (stay) behind to tend to the sick during the First Crusade. A) stayed B) had stayed C) was staying D) stay 4. The Hospitallers ______________ (recruit) fit and young men from Western Europe to join their military branch. A) recruited B) had recruited C) were recruiting D) recruit 5. By the 12th century, the Hospitallers ______________ (take) up the defence and maintenance of Bethgibelin Castle and other castles in the County of Tripoli. A) took B) had taken C) were taking D) take
Quiz Answer Key
1. A) had gained 2. B) began 3. A) stayed 4. A) recruited 5. B) had taken
