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Communications in the Holy Land was policed by their patrols. By the early i3th century their knights, sergeants and hired mercenaries formed approximately half of any field army.

The precise number of soldiers supplied by the military orders is unknown. For the Egyptian campaign of 1158 the Hospitallers contributed 500 knights. Lach knight was usually accompanied by two sąuires who were non-combatants. However, there would have been at least equal numbers of sergeants and Turcopolc mercenaries, so a total of 2000 would not be unreasonable. The Templars agreed to supply 500 knights and 500 Turcopoles to assist King Amalric (1163-74) *ⁿ return for grants of land. By mid-i3th century the Templars and Hospitallers could field only between 200 and 300 knights each, although a smali number must have remained in the various castles and should be added to the total strength.

Left to right: pot hełm with face guard, from c. 1180; simple conical helmet with neck guards added; the Phrygian-shaped helmet which remained in use throughout the ist and 3rd Crusades.

The Knights of the Tempie was the first of the military orders, formed in 1118 by seven knights who swore to protect pilgrims and observe monastic vows. The order was recognized by the Pope in 1128 as a branch of the Cistercian Order and in 1147 fought its first major action against the Saracens.

In 1145 the Knights Tcmplar were granted permission to wear the white hooded mantle of the Cistercians: this was replaced by a white cloak on active service and from the time of the 2nd Crusade a red cross was worn on the left breast and on the shield. Sergeants wore a brown mantle or cloak. Lance pennons were also white, with the cross of

Two mail coifs attributed to the I3th or i4th century. Their origins and datę are suspect, but they do serve to illustrate the form of separate coifs in the crusading era.