Beginning of the Knights Templar: 1119 AD

The Order at its outset had been subject to strong criticism, especially of the concept that religious men could also carry swords. In response to these critics, the influential Bernard of Clairvaux wrote a multi-page treatise entitled De Laude Novae Militae ("In Praise of the New Knighthood"), in which he championed their mission and defended the idea of a military religious order by appealing to the long-held Christian theory of just war, which legitimated “taking up the sword” to defend the innocent and the Church from violent attack. By so doing, Bernard legitimised the Templars, who became the first "warrior monks" of the Western world.^{[citation needed]} Bernard wrote:

[A Templar Knight] 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 the armor of steel. He is thus doubly-armed, and need fear neither demons nor men.^[1]

Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, the Order's patron

 

end quote from:

History of the Knights Templar - Wikipedia, the free...

I think this concept of "Armed Monks and Knights" continues today in Christian police forces and Christians in Armies around the world where chivalry and Nobles Oblige still prevail today almost 1000 years later.

 

Chivalry:

1. Chivalry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry   Cached

   Chivalry, or the chivalric code, is a code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of knighthood which developed between 1170 and 1220.

    

   Nobless Oblige:

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   1. Noblesse oblige - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige   Cached

      Noblesse oblige is a French phrase literally meaning "obligation of Nobility". It is the concept that nobility extends beyond mere entitlements and requires the ...