In Praise of the New Knighthood

The most influential member in the rise of the Order was Lethander Morninglory, Abbot of Jasper.  In the early years the Templars struggled to survive - they lacked both funds and new recruits.  On three occasions Lethander, founder and Grand Master of the Order, wrote to Xiana, High Priestess of Shal'ille, seeking support. Xiana's replied to his requests in a now famous document(shown below) entitled 'Liber ad milites Templi: De laude novae militae' - 'In Praise of the New Knighthood'. This document outlines the many noble and selfless traits of the Templar Knights, comparing them favourably against the "worldly", pompous and effeminate populace of the era. This document became a turning point in the rise of the Order.  It was through Baron Springer of Cor Noth's praise that the Templars were brought to the attention of Princess Kateriina who awarded them their own Holy Rule at the Council of Meridian in 723 M.E.  This entitled the Templars an official religious military order recognized by Shal'ille and the Princess' Faction. 

'Liber ad milites Templi:  De laude novae militae' - 'In Praise of the New Knighthood' Priestess Xiana of Shal'ille translated by Commander of Knights Kaliburn, 725 M.E:

Lethander, Grand Master of the Templars:

Xiana, Lady of Shal'ille, wishes that the Templars may fight the good fight.  If I am not mistaken, my dear Lethander, you have asked me not once or twice, but thrice to write a few words of exhortation for you and your comrades. You say that if I am not permitted to wield the lance, at least I might direct my pen against the tyrannical foe, and that this moral, rather than material support, of mine will be of no small help.   I have put you off now for quite some time, not that I disdain your request, but rather lest I be blamed for taking it lightly and hastily.  I feared I might botch a task which could be better done by a more qualified hand, and which would perhaps remain, because of me, just as necessary and all the more difficult.  Having waited thus for quite some time to no purpose, I have now done what I could, lest my inability should be mistaken for unwillingness.  It is for the reader to judge the result.  If some perhaps find my work unsatisfactory or short of the mark, I shall be nonetheless content, since I have not failed to give you my best.

It seems that a new Knighthood has recently appeared in this Meridian, and precisely in that part of it which my mistress Shal'ille's most valorous master Kraanan blessed with his mighty hand.  As Shal'ille then troubled the princes of darkness in the strength of her mighty hand, so there she now wipes out their followers, the children of disbelief, scattering them by the hands of her holy ones.  Even now she brings about the redemption of her people raising up again a horn of salvation for us in her house. This is, I say, a new kind of knighthood and one unknown to the ages past.  It ceaselessly wages a twofold war both against flesh and blood and against a spiritual army of evil in the heavens.  When someone strongly resists a foe in the flesh, relying solely on the strength of the flesh, I would hardly remark it, since this is common enough. And when war is waged by spiritual strength against vices or demons, this, too, is nothing remarkable, praiseworthy as it is, for the world is full of monks. But when the one sees a man powerfully girding himself with both swords and nobly marking his belt, who would not consider it worthy of all wonder, the more so since it has been hitherto unknown? He is truly a fearless knight and secure on every side, for his soul is protected by the armor of faith just as his body is protected by armor of steel. He is thus doubly armed and need fear neither demons nor men. Not that he fears death--no, he desires it.  Why should he fear to live or fear to die when for him to live is glory, and to die is gain?

Go forth confidently then, my knights, and repel the foes of the Templars with a stalwart heart.  Know that neither death nor life can separate you from the love of justice, and in every peril repeat, "Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Templars".  What a glory to return in victory from such a battle!  How blessed to die there as a martyr!  Rejoice, brave athlete, if you live and conquer for the Templars; but glory and exult even more if you die and join your Goddess.   Life indeed is a fruitful thing and victory is glorious, but a holy death is more important than either.  If they are blessed who die before their Goddess, how much more are they who die for the Goddess!

But the Knights of Shal'ille may safely fight the battles of their Lady, fearing neither sin if they smite the enemy, nor danger at their own death; since to inflict death or to die for Shal'ille is no sin, but rather, an abundant claim to glory.  In the first case one gains for Shal'ille, and in the second one gains Shal'ille herself.   The Lady freely accepts the death of the foe who has offended her, and yet more freely gives herself for the consolation of her fallen knight.  The Knight of Shal'ille, I say, may strike with confidence and die yet more confidently, for he serves Shal'ille when he strikes, and serves himself when he falls.  Neither does he bear the sword in vain, for he is Shal'ille's minister, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good.  If he kills an evildoer, he is not a mankiller, but, if I may so put it, a killer of evil.  He is evidently the avenger of Shal'ille towards evildoers and he is rightly considered a defender of Light.  Should he be killed himself, we know that he has not perished, but has come safely into port.  When he inflicts death it is to Shal'ille's profit, and when he suffers death, it is for his own gain.  The Light glories in the death of the pagan, because Shal'ille is glorified; while the death of the Darkness gives occasion for the Queen to show her liberality in the rewarding of her knight.  In the one case the just shall rejoice when they see justice done, and in the other man shall say, truly there is a reward for the just; truly it is Shal'ille who judges the earth.  I do not mean to say that the Followers of Qor are to be slaughtered when there is any other way to prevent them from harassing and persecuting the faithful, but only that it now seems better to destroy them than that the rod of sinners be lifted over the lot of the just, and the righteous perhaps put forth their hands unto iniquity.  What then?  If it is never permissible for a follower of Shal'ille to strike with the sword, why did Akardius' precursor bid the soldiers to be content with their pay, and not rather forbid them to follow this calling?   But if it is permitted to all those so destined by Shal'ille, as is indeed the case provided they have not embraced a higher calling, to whom, I ask, may it be allowed more rightly than to those whose hands and hearts hold for us Jasper, the city of our strength?   Thus when the transgressors of divine law have been expelled, the righteous nation that keeps the truth may enter in security.  Certainly it is proper that the nations who love war should be scattered, that those who trouble us should be cut off, and that all the workers of iniquity should be dispersed from the city of the Light.  They busy themselves to carry away the incalculable riches placed in Barloque by the people of Shal'ille, to profane the holy things and to possess the sanctuary of Shal'ille as their heritage.  Let both swords of the faithful fall upon the necks of the foe, in order to destroy every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of the Gods, lest the Pagans should then say, "Where is their Goddess Shal'ille?"  Once they have been cast out, she shall return to her people and to her house, which aroused her anger in the Gospel saying:  "Behold, your house is left to you desolate.  You have forsaken your heritage." Thus, she will fulfill the final prophecy:   "Shal'ille has ransomed her people and delivered them. They shall come and exult on Sefarer's Peak, and rejoice in the good things of the Light.  Rejoice Meridian, and recognize now the time in which you are visited!  Be glad and give praise together, wastes of Meridian, for the Lady has comforted her people.  She has ransomed the Land.  The Lady has bared her holy arm in the sight of all peoples."

Xiana Priestess of Shal'ille