World History Encyclopedia goes on to add that they were expertly trained with multiple weapons and exceedingly well equipped, and that was when their cavalry wasn't just decimating the enemy ranks. Oh, and church services were mandatory, of course. Mealtimes were regulated, too - meals taken together, two brothers to a bowl, and meat only every other day (to avoid corruption, apparently). Chastity was hugely important, and the topic of women was basically taboo - they couldn't talk about times they had spent with women or even kiss female members of their families.
They were beholden to the word of their Grand Master - permission was required from their superiors to adjust their stirrups, go into town, or even bathe. No decorative flourishes, since they signified arrogance.īut that wasn't it for the rules. Even something as simple as a belt was replaced with a wool cord - all the function without the fashion - and in the case that a cloak wasn't white, it was still a simple brown or black.
According to History, white was a symbol of their purity and chastity, the exact opposite of the flashy armor usually associated with knights. That started with their clothing - a white cloak adorned with a red cross.
