Editing Templar (section)

=== Templar weapons and gear ===
[[File:Hith-knights-templar-51240573.jpg|right|thumb]]
An armor list dating from circa 1165 AD sheds light on the protective equipment worn by the knights of the Templar Order. 
* Padded jerkin: The jerkin,  or haubergeon, was worn beneath the main armor and as such provided additional protection. 
* Mail hauberk: This went over the jerkin, basically comprising a long-sleeved mail shirt extending till the head – known as mail coif (fort et turcoise), the hands – mail mittens (manicle de fer), and thighs – cuisses.
* Surcoat: Arguably the most recognizable element of a Knights Templar panoply, which not only made them identifiable (within Crusader contingents) but also mitigated the hot Levant sun that could beat down on the relatively heavy armor underneath. In any case, the iconic white surcoat of the Templars was possibly the monastic capae – as referred to by Pope Gregory IX in circa 1240 AD.  It often sported the iconic red cross, which was a symbol of martyrdom. 
* Mail coif: A coif of mail worn over the head for protection.
* Helmets or helms: Worn on the head over the coif, these were initially open-faced but later on adopting the closed-faced variety (with riveted iron-plates, eye-slits, and ventilation holes). By the 13th century, few of the knights and most mounted sergeants (sergents) possibly adopted the chapeau de fer, the kettle hat-shaped iron helmet with a wider brim for potentially deflecting enemy blows.  
* Broadsword: The typical broadsword resembled the cruciform with the crossguard cutting a right angle across the grip which extends into the blade. Such imagery must have played its psychological role in bolstering the morale of many spiritual Crusaders.
* Lances: The ubiquitous lance, the Knights Templars' lances were preferably made of sturdy yet flexible ashwood, with lengths of around 13 ft.
* Multiple types of knives: The Knights Templar tended to wield three types of knives in battle, including a combat dagger and they also had a bread knife.
* ‘Turkish’ mace: A weapon grudgingly adopted from their Muslim foes, likely due to the armor-shattering capacity of such heavy weapons. 

Some codified statutes also hint at the use of rather ‘exotic’ non-knightly weapons such as crossbows – that were fired from both horsebacks (in a stationary position) and on foot.