ABSTRACT
The brothers in both orders were divided into knights, priests and sergeants-at-arms and at-service, but the class of sergeants was a much larger and more important component of the Temple than was the case in the Hospital. Whereas in the early twelfth century local Hospitaller communities in Europe had been founded from the already existing convents at St Gilles and perhaps Messina, the first representatives of the Temple had roamed about the countryside on circuit picking up endowments and establishing houses wherever they could. Templar and Hospitaller officers had an important role to play in relation to chapters, which were essential elements in all religious life. In both the Temple and the Hospital this met annually and dealt with a wide variety of business. There was an audit of the accounts of the commanderies, the heads of which were required to bring responsions.
