Bandits infested Latin Palestine during the first half of the 12th century. The usual feudal strategies of war (castles, sieges, and armored cavalry charges) were useless against such marauders. They were also extremely expensive. Standard Turkish tactics (which were adopted by Muslim armies throughout
the region) were to use fast, mounted archers, who harried and retreated continuously. Such methods perfectly suited the needs of impoverished bandits in mountainous country.
The Templars soon learned how to counter such attacks without wasting valuable resources. Later European chroniclers often criticized the Order for the caution that the Templars acquired during this period. Clearly, the Templars had not derived their traditional tactics from European military theory. They had to have discovered them through experience and observation in fighting, first, Muslim raiding parties, then Muslim armies. That they did arrive at their successful tactics through trial and error can be seen in their notable lack of success in their initial encounters with large Muslim forces. By the Second Crusade, however, they had become experts at thwarting Turkish harrying tactics.
The very first thing the Templars learned was discipline. Medieval European armies were not noted for this quality. Even the heavy cavalry charge, which was nearly unstoppable when properly organized and aimed, often failed to reach its target. Knights became confused, fled in fear, gave in to rage and broke ranks, or turned aside to pursue booty.
Sometime early in the Order's history (possibly as early as the 1120's) the Temple forces developed a (trhe Beauseant TN) standard (...) a square, two-toned (black and white) cloth.(...)." Templars were prohibited by the Rule (#161) against breaking ranks, either on campaign or in battle. Instead they were obliged to maintain ranks or, if inevitable, to regroup around their own standard (Beauseant) or, if absent, around the standard of one of the other Orders.
"The other vital thing which the Templars learned from fighting the Muslims was maneuverability. In order to stay mobile they had to have good horses, and many of them. They learned this lesson very early. During his fundraising trip to Europe in 1129, Hugh de Payens, first Master of the Templars , arranged the transport of horses as well as troops to Palestine. The Templar Rule is filled with affectionate references to horses. They were the single most important piece of the Templar 's equipage, be he knight or sergeant.(...).
The early Templars probably earned their veteran status in their wars against their first enemies, the petty bandits. They must have eliminated this threat, or brought it under control, by 1148. Otherwise, they could not have fielded such a strong presence during the Second Crusade. While Muslims did continue to raid Latin Palestine after the 1130's, these attacks were military, rather than piratical, in nature. This change reflects the Templars' success in reducing banditry in Christian territory. The Templars expanded their operations to include military campaigns, rather than abandoning their original commitment to protecting pilgrims to build their military strength."
This blog presents slightly edited and/or rearranged quotes from the Preface of Stiles, Paula Regina, "BETWEEN TWO FAITHS: THE ARABIZATION OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR DURING THE CRUSADES" (1999). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1805. The illustration shows part of the Templar fresco at Cressac Chappel, France. source
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