Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 303 - 266: The Current State of the Knight Order
Although somewhat puzzled by the brevity of the allegiance ceremony, the Germanic country bumpkins were not as particular as the Gauls, and soon pledged allegiance to Losa one after another.
Losa also transformed ten Great Knights, including Hiberland, into Imperial Knights.
After stepping down as Grand Master, Hiberland was appointed Commander and was no longer a "leader," allowing him to be transformed into an Imperial Knight.
The Teutonic Order is an abbreviation in Latin.
Their motto is: Assistance, Redemption, Protection.
Currently, the Teutonic Order has just transitioned from a "field hospital organization" to an official "Martial Arts Cultivation Association."
Thus, their reputation in the Holy Land is still not well-established, nor have they been incorporated into His Holiness the Pope’s jurisdiction, and they lack numerous tax exemptions and franchise statuses.
Because the monastery is prohibited from engaging in commerce, without franchise status, they cannot conduct business, and all revenues must rely on "seeking donations."
In other words, the organizational structure of the Teutonic Order during this period is quite loose and has not yet entered the right path like its counterparts, the Holy Hall and Hospital Knight Order.
The current combat forces of the Teutonic Order can roughly be divided into two categories.
Namely, the Knight Brotherhood and the Priest Brotherhood.
Compared to the other two major knight orders, the Teutonic Order lacks the soldier class.
Members of the Knight Brotherhood must adhere to the creed of "poverty, chastity, obedience."
They are not free to leave their posts, nor can they frequently interact with secular people. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Every day, they must undergo strict military training and pray four times, and also sing hymns four times every evening.
This rigorous militarized training ensures their strict discipline.
However, the Teutonic Order was poor at the time, and the Knight Brotherhood included many impoverished and landless knights, which limited their combat effectiveness.
The lack of the soldier class is also due to the poverty of the Teutonic Order.
Even the more than three hundred members of the Knight Brotherhood did not have complete helmets and armor, let alone a team of soldiers specially assigned for foot combat.
In reality, many members of the Knight Brotherhood did not even have a warhorse and could only fight on foot.
The materials they received from the Knight Order included only bread, clean water, a cloak with a black cross on a white background, and a sword.
In other words, armor, helmets, warhorses, these expensive materials, were not provided by the Knight Order.
Relatively speaking, the Priest Brotherhood was less restricted, with main duties in religious and hospital affairs, but during wartime, they were also expected to go to battle as field doctors or Martial Monks.
The "Great Knight Council" founded by Losa was explicitly defined as the leadership class of the Knight Order, which greatly suited the interests of the knights.
Since they were insiders, Losa generously gave the Knight Order a church in Hebron to be managed by the Priest Brotherhood and serve as a temporary post.
He also stated on the spot that he would take out the inventory from the armory and distribute it to the Knight Order, mandating that the Knight Order ensure all members of the Knight Brotherhood had complete equipment and mounts.
This clause was immediately passed by the Great Knight Council.
Everyone’s hearts were filled with joy, but due to their status, they dared not celebrate excessively.
They were willing to join Losa, and in truth, wasn’t it because under Losa, even those second-rate recruits could be equipped with armor, as if blessed with wealth?
Giving the sweet dates first, Losa also needed to give a slap.
He lightly coughed, standing under the Dragon Head statue, and spoke in an unquestionable tone: "You should know, the Saint Lazarus Redemption Order I funded has a similar mission to the Teutonic Order, so I hope to integrate the Priest Brotherhood into the Saint Lazarus Order."
Some knights showed hesitation; anyone who saw the new Grand Master was about to break an arm upon taking office would feel puzzled.
But seeing the ten knights of the "Great Knight Council" remain unmoved, they contained their emotions without questioning.
Hiberland was the first to speak: "This is a good thing, the knights are responsible for combat, the priests for healing, each performing their duties."
"Indeed, we use swords and spears to propagate the glory of the Heavenly Lord, the priests use the Bible and medicine to propagate the glory of the Heavenly Lord."
"The priests of the Saint Lazarus Order are highly skilled, and it would be great if they could teach our Priest Brotherhoods."
"I’ve long thought the Priest Brotherhood’s medicine was quite poor. Last time, when I just said I had a headache, they wanted to saw open my skull."
Soon, this decision received unanimous approval from the Great Knight Council. Others initially held reservations but under the council’s influence, they were befuddled into thinking it aligned with their interests.
Hiberland asked: "Grand Master, since the Priest Brotherhood is merging with the Saint Lazarus Redemption Order, how should we manage assets and fiefs again?"
"You needn’t worry about that; what’s currently belonging to the Knight Order will still be governed by the Knight Order. As for the future, the two monasteries will inevitably integrate, and then, the Defender Knights of the Saint Lazarus Order will also fall under the management of your Great Knight Council."
Hiberland replied promptly: "I understand."
Splitting away the financial power of the Teutonic Order was considered the final shackle placed by Losa on the Teutonic Order.
Historically, the Teutonic Order Country operated territories in the Baltic, developing trade, with annual income even reaching ten times that of the contemporary Royal Family of the United Kingdom.
Sufficient financial resources made the Teutonic Order a dominant power in Eastern Europe, repeatedly defeating the Poles, leaving them with lost territories.
Losa added: "Commander Hiberland, you should return to your posts and await. I will dispatch Andreas, the Guard Officer of Hebron, to prepare adequate supplies for you, and all weapons, mounts, and equipment will be distributed promptly."
Hiberland first expressed gratitude and then inquired: "Grand Master, how many personnel should we deploy for this battle?"
"Deploy all members of the Knight Brotherhood, and I will also send knights from the Saint Lazarus Redemption Order to liaise with you. This time’s expedition, I hope you will get along well, for they are your future brother comrades."
Hiberland accepted the command respectfully.
...
Leaving Losa’s residence.
A knight immediately could not contain the curiosity and asked: "Grand Master, if we do this, are we still that knight order responsible only to His Holiness the Pope?"
Hiberland sneered: "Responsible only to the Pope sounds favorable, but the Pope hardly regards us."
"All members of our knight order are willing to uphold poverty and are exceptionally loyal to the Crusaders’ cause, but as a ’former’ Grand Master, how can I bear seeing them fight with rudimentary, or even nonexistent, armor against the heretics’ sharp blades and guns?"
