They formed the first professional standing armies in the Latin world since late Roman times. Their implementation spread in a manner similar to the spread of the crusade idea. Just as the crusade was applied to Spain, the Baltic, and southern France, and finally deteriorated into an anti-imperial instrument in Italy, so military orders extended their operations to, or were invented in, all these theatres. Some of the military orders failed to survive the loss of the Holy Land in 1291. Others, including the Hospitallers, the Teutonic Knights , and St. Lazarus, still exist today, though in considerably modified form.
None retain any military aspects.
See text articles on the Templars , the Hospitallers, the Teutonic Knights , and the minor orders. See also the catalog of primary sources, glossary of terms, selected bibliography , chronological tables, maps, leadership lists, and photo collection. This file may be copied on the condition that the entire contents,including the header and this copyright notice, remain intact.