The Reverend Grand Master
The Head of the Order of Holy Knights of Jesus Christ is His Most Serene Highness Prince Michael, Prince Elector and Margrave of Pomerania and Livonia, Reverend Grand Master of the Holy Knights of Jesus Christ, Knight Templar of Livonia, Knight Pryor of the Teutonic Order of Livonia, Knight Pryor of the Sacred and Military Order of Merit of Livonia, Apostille of the Chancellery, Honorary and Hereditary Field Marshall of Pomerania and Livonia, Honorary and Hereditary Grand Admiral of Pomerania and Livonia, Defender of the Christian Faith, Righteous Gentile and Defender of the Holy Land.
Organizational Structure
Every organization has to have its hierarchy, but the Holy Knights of Jesus Christ as a Templar Order is somewhat unique. The Kingdom of God is a Monarchy, and therefore so is our Order. The following list reveals some of their principal officers. These offices would come into play in rather discussing war or peace.
These offices are called bailies, meaning something entrusted to someone. It's the root word for the more familiar term of bailiff.
These offices are called bailies, meaning something entrusted to someone. It's the root word for the more familiar term of bailiff.
Grand Master
Prince Michael is Our Grand Master and the founder of this Particular Order. The Templar right comes through his legacy. The Grand Master office is for life, and the Grand Master is in charge of the entire Order, worldwide. Throughout history, a couple of men retired from the position of Grand Master, but for the most part, dying is the only way out of the job. He wears the Field Marshal Braid due his title.
Seneschal or Grand Commander
The Seneschal is the right-hand man for the Master and is sometimes called a Grand Commander. In peace, the Seneschal administers all the lands belonging to the chapter house. In war, he handles the movement of the men, the supply lines, the food procurement, and other issues of moving an army. The Seneschal position bares the rank of Lieutenant-General (LG) and may be recognized by the three stars on his uniform.
Turcopolier
The Turcopolier is the third in line militarily. He is in command of the light cavalry. He would also be in charge of the Sergeant brothers. The Turcopolier position bares the rank of Major-General (MG) and may be recognized by the two stars on his uniform.
Marshal
The Marshal is in charge of all arms, as well as all horses. He was very much a military man, and a Master will usually consult with him, as well as the Seneschal and the Turcopolier, before making any final decisions on tactics. The Marshal position bares the rank of Brigadier-General (BG) and may be recognized by the single star on his uniform.
Under-Marshal
The first officer under the Marshal, the Under-Marshal is in charge of the lesser equipment, vehicles, bridles, padding for saddles, water containers, and other supply problems. He holds a very important position in battle because he holds the piebald banner, a flag at the head of all, to keep stragglers together. The Under-Marshal position bares the rank of Colonel (COL) and may be recognized by the eagle on his uniform.
Commander at Arms
Our Orders Commander at Arms is the Officer in charge of our Orders security. He may contract outside guards, as well as recruit Knights from within our Order as he deems necessary to provide our internal security. He would be considered sixth in line militarily. He has independent command in the field. The Orders Sergeants at Arms would fall under his command. The Commander at Arms bares the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) and may be recognized by silver oak leaf on his uniform.
Master and Commander
The Master and Commander is the local commander in charge of the commandery, a small templar "city" and stronghold. He has complete command in the field. The Master and Commander bares the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) and may be recognized by silver oak leaf on his uniform.
Confanonier
The Confanonier, also known as the Standard Bearer, is in charge of the Squires. He is their disciplinarian, and the man who checks over their very important work of keeping the knights' vehicles, horses and weapons in good order. He didn't actually "bear the standard" in formation or in battle, he marches in front of the banner and leads his marching column. The Confanonier position bares the rank of Major (MAJ) and may be recognized by the gold oak leaf on his uniform.
Sergeant at Arms
Our Orders Sergeant at Arms would fall third in line militarily under the Master and Commander in each Commandery. The Sergeant at Arm is a commissioned officer The Sergeant at Arms is in charge of Unit security and falls under the chain of command of the Commander at Arms, and when ordered to do so may act independently. The Sergeant at Arms position bares the rank of Major (MAJ) and may be recognized by the gold oak leaf on his uniform.
Treasurer
The Treasurer's duties are as the name states, this is the bailiff who keeps the books, or the accountant. When any pay is authorized, he would also be the paymaster. The Treasurer position bares the rank of Major (MAJ) and may be recognized by the gold oak leaf on his uniform.
Knight Bishop
The title of Knight Bishop is given to those Knights who will begin their own Church and/or congregation. Their Charter will be under the Holy Knights of Jesus Christ church charter, and their church will be operated under the same rules. The Knight Bishop position bares the rank of Captain (CPT) and may be recognized by the dual silver bars on his uniform.
Reverend Knight
The Reverend Knight is the title of our ordained knights. They may hold church services, conduct wedding ceremonies, minister to the ill and conduct funeral services, the same as any Priest or Minister may do. The Reverend Knight position bares the rank of First Lieutenant (LT) and may be recognized by the single silver bar on his uniform.
Knight
The knight is the backbone of the battlefield. Knights are the equivalent of the cavalry. A small force of knights is very powerful, skilled in warfare, able to take on a large number of foot soldiers. This is a position of nobility and knights pass their legacy down to sons, so they may also become a knight. Through out history only a knight may make a Knight, but because we are a private religious Order, becoming a Knight of Jesus Christ requires the approaval of a Baron or higher Noble. Prince Michael or another Royal would be required to elevate knight to that of a Baron, as this is a hereditary position of Nobility. Prince Michael will maintain the roll, and therefore must be notified as to the disposition of any new Knighthoods within our order. The Knight position bares the rank of Lieutenant (LT) and may be recognized by the single gold bar on his uniform.
The knights dress in the famous white tunic or habit adorned with a black and gold cross, the Dress Uniform, or the black BDU (battle dress uniform), as the situation calls for. Hair will be kept clean and orderly and knights are allowed beards, in keeping with the Muslim belief that a beard was a sign of greater masculinity. We see no sense in giving any possible enemy a reason not to respect us.
The knights dress in the famous white tunic or habit adorned with a black and gold cross, the Dress Uniform, or the black BDU (battle dress uniform), as the situation calls for. Hair will be kept clean and orderly and knights are allowed beards, in keeping with the Muslim belief that a beard was a sign of greater masculinity. We see no sense in giving any possible enemy a reason not to respect us.
Chaplain Brother
One of the most important positions within our Templar Commandry is that of the Chaplain Brother. The job comes with many delicate layers of meaning. He is sort of the internal priest for the Order. The Chaplain Brother is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated by knighthood. The position bares the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) and may be recognized by the single silver bar with a black stripe running the length of the bar inlaid upon it on his uniform.
Draper
The Draper is in charge of all the clothing and bed linen of everyone in the Order. He also had the power to oversee everyone of every rank, and to chastise them if their clothing is not proper for their position, or if anything decorated it which hasn’t been earned, or is not recognized by the Order. The Draper would also be in charge of overseeing discipline, training and enforcement of proper courtesy. The Draper position bares the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM). The Draper is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated by knighthood. The position bares the rank of Warrant Officer and may be recognized by the single silver bar with a four black squares inlaid on his uniform.
Sergeant Brother
Although not commissioned like a noble knight, the Sergeant is still a light cavalry warrant officer, the chief support officer for the knight. Sergeant Brothers dress in the same fashion as the knight, although he wears the black cross with no color border. The Sergeant Brother is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated by knighthood. The position bares the rank of Warrant Officer (SGT) and may be recognized by the single silver bar with a three black squares inlaid on his uniform.
Squire
Squires are the young men who, just like in the movies, are there to assist the knight in any way possible, from support and logistics position polishing a weapon. The difference for a Templar Squire is that this may be a hired position, especially in the early years of the Order. Squires are there specifically to test themselves and their mettle and to climb to the order of Knight. The Squire is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated by knighthood. The position bares the rank of Warrant Officer (WO2) and may be recognized by the single silver bar with a two black squares inlaid on his uniform.
Man at Arms
The Man at Arms is the foot soldier of the Order. Rather in arms or support positions these are members of the Order who have yet to decide, or be approved, to prepare for Knighthood as a Squire. This is an entry level position which is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated by knighthood. The position bares the rank of Warrant Officer (WO) and may be recognized by the single silver bar with a single black squares inlaid on his uniform.
Lay Servant
Lay Servants may run the gamut, from members who choose to be inactive within the Brotherhood, yet may wish to provide services or financial support. This could also include craftsmen brought in to do building or repair work, or those desiring to act as personal servants to an officer. The hierarchical statutes of the Templar Rule which lay out precisely how many of such servants each officer was allowed to have, has been done away with. Still the Templar must avoid being overly proud, even though his title makes him a Noble.
Member
A member may be anyone who decides to join our Order or attend our services regularly.