Born from the union of nine Frenchmen, the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon was founded around 1118 and firstly headed by Grand Master Hugues de Payeni.
Baldwin II allows them to settle in what was believed a part of the ancient Temple of Solomon, and from there comes the name of Knights of the Temple or Templar. After obtaining the Pope’s approval, the first Order of Monk-Knights is created.
Thanks to their abnegation, their heroic deeds in battle and their sacrifice they soon become spiritual and military models.
The structure of the order follows well determined hierarchies and its members reach such a high level of wealth and power that they arouse envies and jalousies. Moreover, with the rise to power of Saladin, the Arabs begin to regain ground till they conquer Jerusalem again. In 1291 the last Christian stronghold, St John d’Acre, falls into the hands of the Saracens.  After two centuries the Frank Overseas kingdom is over. Nevertheless, after headquartering in Cyprus, the Knights Templar join the Knights Hospitallers (the future Knights of Malta) and try to organize a new crusade. But in Europe the interest in the Holy Land was decreasing and the heroic military deeds of the Order fell into oblivion. The king of France, in order to seize the treasure of the Temple, organizes a secret blitz and, on 13 October 1307 has all the Knights in his Kingdom arrested. A short time later they are tried in the other European countries with the accuse of heresy.
Subject to indescribable tortures, the Monks confessed almost every accuse and the Order is suppressed by a Papal Bull in 1312. On 18 March 1314 the last Templar Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, is burnt alive on an islet in the Seine.

The rules of the Order

A very hard rule made of 72 articles.

Here begins the Rule of the Poor Comrades of the Holy Town

I
What divine office they have to hear

You, who renounce to your own will, and all the other ones who for the salvation of their souls serve with us for a certain time with horses and arms for the most high king, take care to hear with a pious and pure desire the Matins and the Whole Service, according to the canonical institution and the custom of the regular doctors of the Holy town.

Mostly to you, venerable brothers, the highest grade is owed, because, despising the light of this life and won the worry about your bodies, you promised to despise the urging world for God’s sake and forever: relieved and fed with divine food, appointed and confirmed by our Lord’s precepts, after the consummation of the Divine Mystery do no one fear the battle, but be prepared for the crown..

II
Do they say the Lord’s prayers, if they could not hear the service of God
If a brother far away due to an engagement  with oriental Christianity ( which we do not doubt has often happened) were unable hear the service of God for such absence, do he say thirteen orations to the Lord for the Matins and seven for the single hours; for the Vespers we believe seven ones have to be said and this we freely and unanimously affirm: those engaged this way in a preservation work cannot attend the Divine Office at the due hour. But if it were possible, in the due hour do they not neglect what the institution commands.  .

III
What must be done for the dead brothers

When one of the brothers sacrifices what is impossible to take away from death, who spares no one, what is impossible to take away, to the chaplains and priests who with you charitably and temporarily attend the High Priest we command that they charitably offer for his soul’s sake with pureness of spirit the office and the solemn mass. Dothe attending brothers who pray for the salvation of their dead brother at night say hundred orations of the Lord till the seventh day for their dead brother since the day when the death of their brother was announced till the aforesaid day, and be the number of one hundred respected with brotherly observance in his integrity; with divine and merciful charity we beg, and with our pastoral authority we command that every day, such as it would be given and due to the brother in his need, a poor man be given what it is necessary for his support in this life concerning food and drink till the fortieth day. We totally forbid any other offering which, on their brother’s death and on Easter and other solemnities the spontaneous poverty of the comrades of Christ used to exaggeratedly give to the Lord.

IV
Do the chaplains have just board and cloth
We command that, in accordance with the chapter, the other offerings and any other sort of alms in any form be given with an attentive cure to the chaplains or to the other temporary members. So, do the servants of the Church just have board and cloth nor claim  nothing more than what the masters spontaneously and charitably gave.

V
The dead temporary soldiers
There are among us some soldiers who temporarily and mercifully remain in the house of God and Temple of Solomon. So, with ineffable supplication we pray and beg and with insistency we command that while the tremendous power had led someone to his last day, for God’s sake, fraternal pity, a poor man receive a seven day support for his soul.

VI
Do professed brothers make no offering
We decreed, as it was aforesaid, that no one among the professed brothers presume another offering: but night and day and with pure heart do he keep his profession, to be able to equal the most saint of the prophets in this: I will take the goblet of salvation, and in my death I will imitate the death of the Lord, for, as Christ gave his own soul for my sake, I am ready to give my own soul for my brother’s sake; that is the best offering, the living Host welcome by God..

VII
Do not exaggerate in standing
We heard with our own ears from a most truthful witness that you attend the divine office standing constantly: this we do not command, but vituperate, and command that at the end of the psalm “Come, let us exult in the Lord” with invitatory and hymns, everybody sit down, the strong and the weak ones, to avoid scandal. You, who are present, at the end of every psalm, while saying “Glory be to the Father” , get up supplicant of your seats up to the altars to revere the aforesaid Holy Trinity and help the weak bow. Be it so even during the proclamation of the Gospel and the “Te Deum laudamus”, and during the Praises till the end of “Bless our Lord”, then cease to stand. We command that the same rule is observed in the Matins of the St. Mary.

VIII
Gathering for the meal
In a palace, but it would be better to say a refectory, we command that you have your meals together, where, whenever it were necessary because of not knowing signs, it is opportune to ask privately and in a low voice. This way ask any time the things you need with every humility and reverential subjection during the meal, for the apostle says: Eat your bread silently. And the Psalmist must urge you, as he says: I restrained my mouth, so I decided within me so that I never kept my composure in my tongue, so I kept my mouth so that I did not speak badly.

IX
Reading
During  the dinner be a holy reading always done. If we love the Lord we must desire to carefully listen to His wholesome words and precepts. The reader intimates you silence.

X

Use of meat
During the week, unless Christmas or Easter or St. Mary’s or All Saints’ Day, be it sufficient for you to eat meat three times: the habit to eat meat is to be understood as a corruption of the body. If on Tuesday a fast happened to fall, during which meat is forbidden, on the following day be it abundantly given to you. On the Lord’s day it doubtless appears opportune to give two courses to every professed soldier and chaplain in honour of the Holy Resurrection. Instead be the other armigers and aggregated ones content with one, giving thanks.

XI
How the soldiers have to eat
It is opportune that they eat two by two, so that one promptly provide for the other and the hardness of life or a secret abstinence do not melt in every dinner. This we judge rightly, that every soldier or brother have his own equivalent measure of wine.

XII
On the other weekdays be two or threes legume courses sufficient
On the other days, that is on the second and fourth weekdays and on Saturday we hold that for everybody two or threes legume courses as well as other cook foods are sufficient: and so we command that this behaviour is kept so that those who cannot eat from one be relieved by the other.

XIII
What has to be eaten on the sixth ferial day
On the sixth ferial day we judge laudable to have a unique Lenten meal to revere the passion, nevertheless taking care of the invalids’ weakness, from All Saint’s Day till Easter, except if on that day Christmas or St Mary’s or the Apostle’s Day fall. Otherwise, unless a general fast happens to fall, do they have a double refreshment.

XIV
After dinner do they always give thanks
After dinner, always in the church if it is close, otherwise in the same place, as it should be done, we command that they immediately and humbly give thanks to our most high procurator, that is, Christ: after putting aside whole loaves, we commend that you distribute the leftovers to the poor or to the servants in the name of fraternal charity.

XV
Be the tenth part of bread always given to the almoner
Although the reward for poverty which is the Kingdom of Heave doubtless belongs to the poor, to you, who your Christian faith reveals as part of them, we command that you deliver the tenth part of your daily bread to your almoner.

XVI
Be the breakfast decided according to the advice of the master

When the sun sets from the East and descends into sleep, after hearing the signal, as it is usual in such region, it is necessary that you all attend the Compline, but before we desire you to have a general banquet. Such banquet we commit to the master’s disposition and discretion, for, whenever he wishes, it is made of water, and, when he benevolently commands, of wine opportunely diluted. This does not necessarily have to give a great satiety nor to be luxurious, but sober; in fact, we see even wise men apostatize.

XVII
At the end of the Compline be silence kept
At the end of the Compline it is necessary to go to the couch. The brothers who come from the Compline are not allowed to speak publicly if not for a compelling need; what they are about to say to their esquires, do they say in a low voice. It can maybe happen that in that moment  for you, who come from the Compline, for the needs of a military affair or of the state of hour house, having the day been not sufficient, or for the master himself is necessary to talk to one of the brothers, or for he who runs the house as a master. That we command to happen, for it is written: In your much talking you won’t escape sin. And somewhere else: Death and life in your tongue’s hands. In such a talk we forbid coarseness, useless words and whatever causes laughter: and to you who go to bed, if someone told you something foolish, we command to say the oration of the Lord with humility and devoted pureness.

XVIII
Do those who are tired not wake up for the Matins
We do not approve that tired soldiers wake up for the Matins, as it is evident to you: but with the approval by the master, or by him who had received it from the master, we unanimously reckon that they must rest and sing the thirteen instituted orations, so that their mind agrees with the voice in accordance to what the prophet said: intone psalms to the Lord with wisdom. And still: in front of the angels I will intone psalms to Thee. But this must depend on the master’s advice.

XIX
Be the mutuality of the meal kept among the brothers
It is read in the Divine page: It was divided among the single ones, as it was necessary for each of them. So we do not say that there is consideration of the individuals, but there must be consideration of diseases. When one has less need, say thanks to God and do not grieve: do he who needs humble himself for his infirmity, do not rise for mercy, so that all his limbs will be in peace. But that we forbid, for no one is allowed to embrace an abstinence out of place, but do they constantly conduct an ordinary life.

XX
Quality and mode of dressing
We command that the clothes always be of an unique colour, for instance white or black or grey. To all the professed soldiers in winter and in summer, if it is possible, we allow white clothes so that those who have postponed a dark life recognize that they have to become reconciled with their Creator through a transparent, white life. What is white, if not integrity and chastity? Chastity is the safety of mind, integrity is the safety of body. In fact, every soldier who will not have preserved anything of his chastity will not reach the eternal peace nor see God; as apostle St Paul attests: Let us follow the peace with everybody and chastity, without which no one will see the Lord. But to keep such behaviour one must lack the notorious arrogance and the unnecessaries; we command that everyone have such things so that everyone on his own will be able to dress and undress himself, put on and take off his boots withouth clamour. Be the procurator of that office attentive with watchful care to avoid this, do those who receive new clothes give the old ones back to put them away in the chamber or wherever the designate brother had decided, so that they could be useful to esquires or associated members or to the poor.

XXI
Do the servants not wear white dresses, that is to say, palliums
Definitely we disapprove what happened in the house of God and the Temple of his soldiers, without discretion nor decision of the common chapter, and we command that it be eliminated as if it were a proper vice. The servants and the esquires would once wear white dresses, thence damages would come. In mountainous regions some married false brothers rose, and other ones saying that they belonged to the temple whereas they belong to the world. Those caused many damages to the military order, and the associated member arrogant like professed aroused numerous scandals. Do they always wear black dresses: in case they could not be found, do they wear those which can be found in their province or whatever can approach the simplicity of an unique colour, that is, grey

XXII
                                                                                                                                                          Do the professed soldiers wear white dresses only                                                                                                                                                                No one is allowed to wear white tunics or palliums, but the aforesaid soldiers.

XXIII
Be just lambskin used
In mutual accordance we decided that no professed brother will wear everlasting leather or fur or the likes useful to cover the body unless lambs or rams.

XXIV
Be the old clothes given to the esquires
Do the procurator or giver of clothes always give the old clothes to the esquires and to the associated members and sometimes to the poor, acting with devotion and equity.

XXV
Do those longing for the best have the worst
If a professed brother, because it is owed to him or because he is driven by pride, wanted good and excellent clothes, he would doubtless deserve the humblest ones for such a conceit.

XXVI
Be the quality and quantity of clothes respected
It is necessary to observe the quantity according to the size of the body and the clothes: be he who delivers the clothes careful about this.

XXVII
Do he who delivers the clothes keep first of all equality
Do the procurator with fraternal intuition consider the length, as aforesaid, with the same care, so that the eye of whisperer and calumniators do not presume to notice anything: and in all these things, do he humbly meditate the reward from God.

XXVIII
The uselessness of hair
It is better that all the brothers, mostly the professed ones, wear their hair so that they could be considered regular and in order in front and back; in the beard and moustache be the same rule observed without discussion, so that no superficiality nor the vice of frivolousness are showed.

XXIX
Of spurs and necklaces
Spurs and necklaces are clearly an aristocratic issue. And for this is judged as abominable by everybody, we forbid and refuse the permission to own them, we do not want them to be there. Those who give their service temporarily we do not allow to wear spurs, necklaces, vain hair nor exaggeratedly long dresses, we forbid it at all. For the servant of the Highest Creator it is highly necessary to be pure within and without, for he himself attests: Be pure, for I am pure.

XXX
Number of horses and esquires
Every soldier is allowed to own three horses, for the great poverty of the house of God and of the Temple of Solomon does not allow more than this, if not under the licence of the master.

XXXI
Do no one hurt an esquire who is serving for free
We allow for each soldier for the same reason a unique esquire. But if charitably and freely such esquire belongs to a soldier, he is not allowed to whip him nor to beat him for any fault.

XXXII
How should those who remain temporarily be received
We command that every soldier who desire to serve Jesus Christ temporarily with pure heart in the same house devotedly buy horses suitable for such a daily engagement, and weaponry and whatever is necessary. We also judged, considering everything, that it be good and useful to estimate the horses. Be the price written and kept so that it is not forgotten: be whatever will be necessary for a soldier, for his horses or to his esquire, adding the horseshoes according to the faculty of the house, purchased by the house itself with fraternal charity. If meanwhile the soldier lost for any reason his horses during such service, the master will provide other ones as far as the house can afford it. When the time to go home will come, do the same soldier accord the half of the price for divine sake, and if he wishes, do he receive the left part from the community of brothers.

XXXIII
Do no one act according to his own will
It is better that those soldiers, who estimate nothing dearer to them than Christ, for the service according to which they are professed, and for the glory of the most holy beatitude or for the fear of the Gehenna, pay constant obedience to their master. It is so necessary that, be something commanded by their master or by him, who has received such assignment from the master, immediately and without delay, as if it were divinely commanded, they meet with no delay in their doing. About those, the truth itself says: By hearing with his ears he obeyed me.

XXXIV
Whether it is allowed to go to an isolated place without the master’s command.
We beg and firmly command that the generous soldiers who renounced to their own will and the associated members, withouth the licence by the master or by him, who was appointed by the master, do not dare go to an isolated place, except to the sepulchre at night and armed, and watch over, for the cunning enemy strikes night and day, or to those places within the walls of the holy town.

XXXV
Whether it is allowed to walk alone
Do those who travel never dare take a journey, by day or by night, withouth a custodian, that is a soldier or a professed brother. In fact, after being hosted in the militia, do no soldier, esquire or whatever dare go to see in the rooms of the other soldiers nor to talk with them without permission, as aforesaid. So we wisely state, that in this house run by God, no one is allowed to attend his service nor to rest according to his own will; but under the master’s licence do everyone act so that he imitates the sentence of the Lord, who said: I did not come to do my own will, but that of He who sent me.

XXXVI
Do no one individually ask for what he needs on his own
We command that this custom be written among the others as a proper one and, paying every attention, we confirm it so that the search for the vice be avoided. No professed brother must ask for a horseor a mount or weaponry to be personally given to him. How? If his illness or the weakness of his horses, or the scarceness of his weaponry were recognized to be such that they may be a common damage, do he go to the master or to him, to whom the office is due after the master, and explain him his cause with sincerity and pureness: in fact, the thing must be resolved according to the decision by the master or his procurator.

XXXVII
Bits and spurs
We never want gold or silver, which are particular riches, to appear in bits or breastplates, in spurs or harness, nor we allow any professed brother to purchase them. In case such old instruments had been gifted, be their gold and silver coloured so that the colour or the decoration do not appear arrogant among the others. If they had been gifted as new ones, do the master do whatever he wishes with them.

XXXVIII
Do no garment be laid onto spears and shields.
No garment has to be laid onto shields and spears, for according to us this is not profitable, rather pernicious.

XXXIX
The master’s authorization
The master is allowed to give horses and weaponry to whoever, or to those whom he judges suitable for any other thing.

XL
Sack and trunk
Sacks and lockable trunks are not allowed: be they presented so that they are not owned without the permission by the master or by him, who runs the house in his place. From this rule the procurators and those who live in difference provinces and the master himself are excluded..

XLI
Written licence
In no way a brother is allowed to receive from and give to his own relatives or any other man without the master’s or his procurator’s written licence. After that a brother has obtained such a licence be such goods recorded in the master’s presence, if he likes it. In case something is addressed to him by his relatives, do he not dare accept it before it has been reported to the master. In this rule the master and the house procurators are not included.

XLII
The confession of one’s own faults
For every otiose word is known to generate sin, this they will ostentatiously say about their faults in front of the severe judge. The prophet well says that , if it is necessary to abstain from the good sayings for the silence’s sake, it is even more necessary to abstain from the evil words as a punishment for his sins.  So we forbid that a professed brother dare remember together with another brother of his, or with anyone else, the stupidities he enormously did in the world during his military service, and the carnal pleasures with most wicked women, or anything else: and in case he had heard someone refer such things, do he make him be silent, or do he part for obedience as soon as he can, and to the oil seller do he not offer his own heart.

XLIII
Begging and reception
If a brother were given something withouth he asked it, do it deliver it to the master or to the treasurer: if another friend or relative of his wished it were not used but by him, do he not receive it as long as he does not have the master’s permission. Be he, whom the thing should be given to, not sorry if it is given to someone else: be he aware that, if he were angry for this, he will act against God. In the aforesaid rule the administrators, to whom the management of sacks and trunks is especially assigned, are not included.

XLIV
The food sacks on horses
It is useful for everybody that this order established by us be respected without exceptions. Do no brother think he can make food sacks from linen or wool, too carefully prepared: do he not have but raw cloth sacks.

                                                                                                                                                                                    XLV                                                                                                                                                                                     
Do no one dare exchange or question
Do no one dare exchange his own things from brother to brother, withouth the master’s licence, or ask for anything, if not from brother to brother, unless the thing is little and vile, not great.

XLVI
Do no one catch a bird with a bird, nor use the decoy
Unanimously we judge that no one must dare catch a bird  with a bird. In fact it is better to adhere to the religion without keeping the mundane pleasures, but willingly listening to the Lord’s commandments, frequently devoting ourselves to prayer, daily confessing our sins to God with tears and moans during the prayer. Do no professed brother for this main reason dare associate with a man operating with falcons or any other birds

XLVII
Do no one hurt any wild beast with his bow or crossbow
It is better to walk keeping a pious attitude, simply, without laughter, humbly, without speaking too many words, but reasoning with a scarcely loud voice. Especially we impose and command that every professed brother do not dare entering a wood with bow or crossbow nor throw arrows: do he not follow him, who did such things if not to save him from a wicked pagan, nor do he dare shout together with a dog or shriek; nor do he push his horse forward, longing for catching the wild beast.

XLVIII
Be the lion always hurt
In fact it is sure, that to you the task was especially assigned, to offer your own life for your brothers’ sake, and to eliminate from the world the unbelievers who always menace the Son of the Virgin. About the lion we read this, for he deceives trying to devour, his hands against everybody, and everybody’s hands against him.

XLIX
Listen to the judgement about what is being asked about you
We know that the persecutors of the Holy Church are countless, and they unceasingly and more and more cruelly hurry to worry those who do not love disputes. In this be the sentence pronounced by the Council with serene consideration considered, so that if someone in the oriental region asked something about you, to you we command to listen the judgement by the faithful judges who love the truth; and what it will be right, we command that you do without hesitation.

L
Be this rule always held
This same rule we command to hold forever for all the things which have undeservedly been taken away from you.

LI
When the professed soldiers are allowed to own land and men
We believe that by virtue of the divine Providence in the holy places this new sort or religion commenced, that is to say, be the religion joined by the militancy, and do the religion proceed armed by the militancy, or do it hit the enemy without fault. So we rightly judge, for we are called soldiers of the Temple, for the great and special merit of probity, that you own your house, your land, your men, your farmers and that you rightly govern them: and to you it is particularly due what is established.

LII
Be a particular attention paid to the invalids
To the brothers who are ill a careful attention has to be paid, as if in their person Christ were served: be the Gospel saying, I was ill and you visit me, carefully remembered. Those have to be patiently supported, for through them a superior reward is doubtless to be acquired..

LIII
Be the invalids always given what they need
To the assistants  we command carefully and with every observance that the invalids be given, as far as it necessary for the different diseases, faithfully and diligently and according to the possibility of the house, for example, meat and poultry and whatever, till their health is restored.

LIV

Do no one cause his brother’s wrath
The highest attention has to be paid so that no one dare cause his brother’s wrath: in fact, the high clemency of the close divine fraternity unites both the poor and the powerful.

LV
How have the married brothers to be received
We allow you to receive the married brothers this way, if they ask for the benefit and the participation in your fraternity, do they both give a part of their possessions and what they might acquire, do they give it to the united common chapter after their death, and do meanwhile have a honest conduct and endeavour to be good to their brothers, but do they not wear the white dress and cloak. If the husband had previously died, do he leave his part to his brothers: do his wife make her living on the other side. In fact we consider unfair that such brothers share the same house as the brothers who promised their chastity to God.

LVI
No more sisters are to be had
It is dangerous to gather other sisters: the ancient enemy, because of female companionship, chased many away from the straight path to Heaven. Therefore, most dear brothers, so that among us be the flower of integrity always visible, it is not allowed to keep such custom.

LVII
Do the brothers of the Temple share nothing with excommunicates
This, brothers, has to be avoided and feared, that someone among the soldiers of Christ somehow join an excommunicated both individually and publicly, or dare receive his things, so that excommunication be unlike the Marantha (Come, my Lord). But if he were just interdicted, it will not be out of place to share anything with him and to charitably receive his things.

LVIII
How should secular soldiers be received
If a soldier from the mass of perdition, or another secular wanted to renounce to the world and choose our communion and life, be he not immediately allowed, but, according to St Paul’s word, prove the spirits, if they come from God be his entry allowed. Therefore be the Rule read in front of him, and if he will diligently observe such eminent Rule, and if the master and the brother like to receive him, do he expose with pure heart his wish and demand in front of all the gathered brothers. Afterwards do the condition of the examination totally depend on the master’s consideration and decision, according to the honesty of the applicant’s life.

LIX
Do all the brothers not be called in the private council
We command that all the brothers be not always convoked in the council, but only those, whom the master will have judged qualified and providential for it. Whenever it wanted to discuss the major arguments such as the common land,  the Order itself, or the reception of a brother, then it is opportune to convoke the whole congregation, if the master likes it; after hearing the opinion of the whole chapter, be whatever the master will have judged better and more useful done.

LX
They must pray silently
We unanimously command that, as the disposition of soul and body will have required, the brothers pray standing or sitting: nevertheless, with the highest reverent simplicity, noiseless, so that one do not disturb the other.

XI
Receive the servants’ devotion
We have known that many from different provinces, as associated members as esquires, desire to temporarily join our house with passionate heart for the sake of their soul’s salvation. It is useful that you receive their devotion, so that by chance the ancient enemy do not furtively or indecently intimate anything to them during their service to God, nor suddenly dissuade them from their good proposal.

LXII
Be the youths since their early age not received among the brothers of the Temple
Although the Rule of the Holy Fathers allows to have some youth in a congregation, we decide not to load such a burden onto you. Who wanted to give forever his son or a relative of his to the military religion, do he feed him till the age when he can manfully and with armed hand eliminate from the Holy Land the enemies of Christ: afterward, according to the Rule, do his father or his parents let him among the brothers and notify his request. It is better during the youth not to swear, rather than incredibly withdrawing after becoming a man.

LXIII
Be the elders always venerated
It is good that the elders with pious wisdom, according to the weakness of their strengths, be supported and diligently honoured: in no way be severity applied, for the tolerance is necessary to the body, nevertheless except for the authority of the Rule.

LXIV
The brothers who leave for different provinces
Do the brothers who set out toward different provinces, as far as their strength allows it, engage themselves in the observation of the Rule in eating, drinking and whatever, and do they live above reproach, so that they receive a good witness from those who are out: do they not taint their religious proposal with words nor deeds, but most of all to those whom they meet, do they provide example and substance of wisdom and good deeds. Do he whom they will be lodged at have a good reputation, and, if possible, do the host’s house not lack the candle that night, so that the tenebrous enemy do not procure death, God forbid. When they will have heard of gathering communicated soldiers, we say that there they must go without worrying about temporal utility, rather about the eternal salvation of their soul. To the brothers bound for the lands over the sea with the hope to be transported, we recommend that they receive according to such agreement those who wanted to join the military Order: do they both show themselves in front of the Bishop of that province and do he listen to the will of him who is asking. After listening to the request, do the brother send him to the master and to the brothers of the Temple, which is in Jerusalem: and if his life is honest and worthy of such membership, be he mercifully received if this seems good to the master and the brothers. If he meanwhile died because of work and labour, as for a brother, be all the benefit and the fraternity of the poor and the comrades of Christ recognized to him.

LXV
Be the meals given to everyone in the same measure
We also judge that it must be reasonably and congruously respected, that all the professed brothers be given their meals in the same measure according to the faculty of the place: in fact it is not useful to consider the individuals, but it is necessary to consider their indispositions.

LXVI
Do the soldiers receive the tithes from the Temple
We judge that, having abandoned the riches gifted to you, you have to be subject to the spontaneous poverty, therefore we have demonstrated in which way the tithes are due to you, who share the community’s life. If the Bishop of the house, to whom the tithe is fairly due, will have wanted to charitably give it to you, he will have to give you the tithes the Church is due to own with the consent of the common chapter. If a lay came into possession of such tithe or subtracted it from the chapter’s substances in a condemnable way, and by confessing his fault he wanted to leave such tithe to you, according to the discretion of he who is in charge, this can be done withouth the chapter’s consent.

LXVII
Light and heavy faults
If a brother is slightly in the wrong in his sayings or deeds or whatever, do he himself confess his sin to the master with the engagement of satisfaction. For slight things, if no customs exists, let there be a light penance. In case he were silent and his fault were known through someone else, be he subject to harder and more evident discipline and amends. If his fault is heavy, do he part from his brothers’ familiarity and do he not share his meals with them, but do he eat alone. Do everything depend on the master’s indication and decision, so that he be safe in the doomsday.

LXVIII
For which fault the brother must not be received any more
Most of all it is necessary to act so that no brother, be he powerful or powerless, strong or weak, wanted he to exalt himself and become more and more proud to defend his own fault, may remain undisciplined: if he will not have wanted to mend his ways, be he given more severe reprimands. If he will not have wanted to mend his ways with pious admonitions and through the prayers raised for his sake, then, according to apostle St Paul, be he eradicated from the pious flock, remove the evil from you, it is necessary that the ill sheep be moved away from the community of devoted brothers. Moreover, do the master hold the stick and the rod (that is, the stick with which he supports the weakness, the rod with which he beats with the eagerness of rectitude the vices of those who fail), together with the Patriarch’s advice and with a spiritual consideration about what has to be done so that, as the blessed Maximus says, the most liberal clemency do not approve the sinner’s arrogance and the exaggerate severity do not dissuade he who is wrong from his mistake.

LXIX
From the solemnities of Easter till All Saint’s Day be it allowed to wear just a linen shirt
Due to the great warmth of the eastern region, we compassionately judge that from Easter day to the solemnity of All Saint’s Day only one linen shirt be given to everyone, not for it is due, but just for the grace’s sake, and I say this for those who want to have the use of it. In the other times do everybody generally wear a wool shirt.

LXX
Which and how many sheets are necessary for the bed
For those who sleep in single beds we unanimously judge that, unless some serious reasons or needs happen to be,  everyone have sheets according to the discreet assignation by the master: in fact we believe that a straw mattress, a pillow and a blanket be enough for everyone. Do he who lacks one of these take a mat, and he will always be allowed to have the use of a linen blanket, that is to say a sheet: do they sleep with their shirt on, and do the always wear their boots. While the brothers are sleeping be the lamp always lit till the morning.

LXXI
Murmur must be avoided
To you we command, by virtue of divine admonition, to avoid, like a plague to escape, rivalry, envy, murmurs, whispers and denigrations. Do everyone undertake with watchful heart, not to accuse nor reproach his brother, but do he remember by himself the word of the apostle: do not be an accuser nor a defamer of people. When someone will have known that a brother of his has failed in something, in peace and fraternal compassion, according the precept of the Lord, do he correct him by himself and alone: and if he will not have listened to him, do he take another brother: but if he will have despised the both of them, in front of the chapter be everything blamed on him. Those who defame the others suffer from a serious blindness, those who do not escape envy are greatly unhappy: hence they are immerged into iniquity by the cunning enemy.