How Did Men Actually Join the Knights Templar?
The Historical Path to Joining the Knights Templar were one of the most famous military orders of the medieval world.
But joining them wasn’t as simple as signing up.
It involved:
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- Strict requirements
- A formal initiation ceremony
- Taking serious vows
- Moving through levels within the order
This guide breaks it down step by step—exactly how it worked.
Table of Contents
Historical Requirements for Knighthood in the Templar Order
1. Noble Birth
To become a full Templar Knight, noble birth was required.
This wasn’t a casual army—you had to prove:
- Your family lineage
- Your Catholic faith
- Your freedom from any feudal debts or obligations
In short: only free-born noblemen could be made full knights.
2. Good Character and Reputation
Candidates had to show:
- Clean moral record
- No excommunication
- No heresy accusations
- No unresolved feuds
The Templars protected Christian pilgrims. Reputation mattered.
3. Physical Fitness
The order was military.
You had to be physically capable of wearing armor and fighting on horseback.
The Initiation Ceremony: How Men Were Inducted into the Knights Templar
Once accepted, a candidate went through a formal ceremony.
This wasn’t secret in a modern sense, but it was solemn.
The Steps:
- Private Inquiry
- The brothers questioned the candidate to confirm his intentions.
- Public Ceremony
- Held in the Templar chapel.
- Witnessed by senior Templars.
- Oath Taking
- The candidate knelt.
- Swore vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
- Promised lifelong service.
- Clothing the Knight
- Given the Templar mantle—white with a red cross.
At this point, he was officially a member.
Levels Within the Order: From Novice to Knight, Sergeant, and Chaplain
The Templars weren’t just made of knights.
There was a clear structure.
| Level | Who Could Join | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Brother | Nobles only | Elite cavalry, leadership |
| Sergeant Brother | Non-nobles (freemen) | Light cavalry, support troops |
| Chaplain Brother | Clergy | Spiritual guidance, sacraments |
| Lay Servant (Domus) | Commoners | Manual labor, support work |
Could Commoners Become Knights Templar? Roles for Non-Nobles
Full Knight? No.
Commoners could not become Templar Knights.
That rank was for nobles only.
But—Other Roles Were Open:
- Sergeants → Non-nobles. They fought, often as cavalry.
- Lay servants → Peasants who worked on Templar lands.
- Craftsmen → Specialized workers supporting the order.
So while commoners couldn’t wear the knight’s white mantle, they still served the order in important ways.
The Vows of a Knight Templar: Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience Explained
Every Knight took three core vows:
1. Poverty
- No personal property.
- Shared all wealth with the Order.
- Lived communally.
2. Chastity
- Complete celibacy.
- No marriage.
- No romantic relationships.
3. Obedience
- Absolute loyalty to the Grand Master and superiors.
- Followed orders without question.
- Could be sent to any region on command.
FAQ: The Historical Path to Joining the Knights Templar
Could anyone join the Templars?
Not as a full knight. You needed noble birth for that. But non-nobles could join as sergeants or servants.
What was the initiation ceremony like?
It was a religious and military ritual—part inquiry, part oath-swearing, part public ceremony in a Templar chapel.
Were the Templars rich individually?
No. They took vows of poverty. Any wealth was shared with the order, not kept personally.
Did Templar knights marry?
No. They took a vow of chastity and were forbidden to marry or pursue romantic relationships.
Could commoners rise through the ranks?
Non-nobles could become sergeants or serve in other roles, but only nobles could become full Templar knights.
The historical order described by English Heritage was suppressed in 1312; use this source to distinguish medieval history from present-day organizations. English Heritage account of the medieval order.
Rodrigo Durães is the founder and editor of CareersForge, where he publishes career-development resources on career planning, resumes, interviews, and job search. His professional experience and education are listed on his LinkedIn profile, including his role as Global CEO of VisionCorp International from 2011 to 2023. View Rodrigo’s LinkedIn profile.
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