Answer · confidence: partial
Does the Latin Omne datum optimum survive, and does it mention tithes or homage?
Research question: Does the Latin text of Omne datum optimum survive in a critical edition or papal register, and does its wording say anything about homage or tithes owed by or to the Order?
The verified facts do not establish whether the Latin text survives in a critical edition or papal register. They show only that the source is published in the Templerlexikon 1 and reproduces the Latin opening phrase alongside an English translation 21. On homage, the bull prohibits any ecclesiastic or layman from demanding fealty, homage, oaths or other securities from the master and brothers 1516. On tithes, it frees the Templars from paying them while letting them keep tithes given with the bishops' consent 10, and it confirms their right to collect tithes provided they act with the bishops' advice and consent 19. The newest fact is dated 2024 12, roughly two years before October 2026.
Checked 2026-10-22. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
The source is published as part of the 'Templer Lexicon' (Templerlexikon).
"Quellenangabe O - Templerlexikon"„Omne Datum Optimum“ (Päpstliches Privileg) (2023)
[2] documented
The document is authored by Dr. Anke Napp from the Art History Seminar at the University of Hamburg.
"AutorIn Dr. Anke Napp Kunstgeschichtliches Seminar Universität Hamburg"„Omne Datum Optimum“ (Päpstliches Privileg) (2023)
[3] supported
The bull forbids any ecclesiastical or secular person from demanding homage, oaths, or other securities from the Order's master and brothers.
"Prohibemus autem et omnimodis interdicimus ut fidelitates, hominia sive juramenta, vel reliquas securitates, que a secularibus frequentantur, nulla ecclesiastica secularisve persona, a magistro et fratribus ejusdem domus exigere audeat."Omne Datum Optimum
[4] supported
The 1139 bull Omne datum optimum granted the Templars papal permission to build new oratories for the spiritual benefit of their brethren and lay associates.
"In 1139, the bull Omne datum optimum granted the Order papal permission to build new oratories for the benefit of the souls of its brethren and lay associates."ASPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF THE TEMPLARS' RELIGIOUS PRESENCE IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE FROM THE TWELFTH TO THE EARLY FOURTEENTH CENTURY (2016)
[5] supported
The Omne datum optimum of 1139 released the Templars from paying tithes on their own landed estates and allowed them to collect tithes, provided they had the consent of the bishop and of the ecclesiastical institution concerned.
"The Omne datum optimum of 1139 released the Templars from the payment of tithe after their own landed estates and conceded them the right to be granted of collecting tithe provided that the achieved the consent (consensus) of the bishop and that of the concerned ecclesiastical institution."Papal–Hungarian relations in the late twelfth century (2022)
[6] supported
The bull preserves the episcopal rights of bishops over tithes, offerings and burials, while allowing the Order to build oratories in places given to the Temple where its household lives.
"Salvo quoque episcopis jure episcopali, tam in decimis quam in oblationibus et sepulturis, nichilominus concedimus facultatem, in locis sacro Templo collatis, ubi familia vestra habitat, oratoria construere."Omne Datum Optimum
[7] supported
Omne datum optimum placed the Templars under direct papal authority and outside the fiscal and jurisdictional control of the bishops.
"In his bull Omne datum optimum of 1139, Pope Innocent II invested the Tem- plars with apostolic protection by placing them under direct papal authority and outside the fiscal and jurisdictional control of the bishops."ASPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF THE TEMPLARS' RELIGIOUS PRESENCE IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE FROM THE TWELFTH TO THE EARLY FOURTEENTH CENTURY (2016)
[8] supported
The Omne datum optimum is attributed to Pope Innocent II (1130–1143) and is the document in which the Templars' exemptions were acknowledged.
"these exemptions were acknowledged in the Omne datum optimum of Pope Innocent II (1130–1143) issued in 1139."Papal–Hungarian relations in the late twelfth century (2022)
[9] supported
The bull states that the Order may keep the spoils taken from the enemies of Christ and is not to be forced to give a portion of them to anyone against its will.
"Ea etiam que de eorum spoliis ceperetis, fidenter in usus vestros convertatis. Et ne de his contra velle vestrum portionem alicui dare cogamini, prohibemus."Omne Datum Optimum
[10] supported
The bull freed the Templars from paying tithes and from any homage, while letting them keep tithes given to them with the bishops' consent.
"Elle les libère du même coup du paiement de la dîme — tout en leur accordant la jouissance des dîmes qui leur auront été données en accord avec les évêques — et de tout hommage ."Omne datum optimum
[11] supported
The bull prohibited anyone from demanding from the Templars oaths or homages of the kind practised among laypeople.
"Nous prohibons à toute personne d’exiger de vous des serments ou des hommages tels qu’ils se pratiquent parmi les gens du siècle."Omne datum optimum
[12] supported
The bishops and parish priests were deprived of revenues and disciplinary powers by later papal privileges, which the source describes as a major blow to them.
"These amendments were a major blow for the bishops and parish priests, who saw themselves deprived of revenues and important disciplinary powers."ASPECTS AND PROBLEMS OF THE TEMPLARS' RELIGIOUS PRESENCE IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE FROM THE TWELFTH TO THE EARLY FOURTEENTH CENTURY (2016)
[13] supported
The bull states that no one may force the Templars to pay tithes, but confirms their possession of tithes given with the bishops' assent.
"Personne ne peut vous forcer à payer les dîmes, mais Nous vous confirmons la possession et la jouissance des dîmes qui vous auront été données avec l’assentiment des évêques."Omne datum optimum
[14] supported
The Latin title words 'Omne datum optimum' come from the Epistle of James (Jc 1:17).
"Les premiers mots du texte latin , qui donnent son titre à la bulle, sont tirés de l' Épître de Jacques [Jc 1:17]"Omne datum optimum
[15] supported
The bull prohibits any ecclesiastic or layman from demanding fealty, homage, oaths, or other securities from the Order's master and brothers, the kind of obligations commonly imposed by secular lords.
"we prohibit and forbid in all possible ways any ecclesiastic of layman to exhort from the master and the brothers of this house any fealty, homage, oaths or other securities, often employed by seculars."Omne Datum Optimum
[16] supported
The bull prohibits any ecclesiastic or layman from demanding fealty, homage, oaths or other securities from the Order's master and brothers, as secular lords often did.
"Also, we prohibit and forbid in all possible ways any ecclesiastic of layman to exhort from the master and the brothers of this house any fealty, homage, oaths or other securities, often employed by seculars."Omne Datum Optimum
[17] supported
The bull forbids anyone from collecting tithes from the Order's possessions against the Order's will.
"we by all means prohibit the exaction of tithes against your will from all moveable and unmovable possessions and anything that belongs to your venerable house."Omne Datum Optimum
[18] supported
The bull forbids anyone from forcing the Order to pay tithes against its will on its movable and immovable possessions.
"we by all means prohibit the exaction of tithes against your will from all movable and unmovable possessions and anything that belongs to your venerable house."Omne Datum Optimum
[19] supported
The bull confirms the Order's right to collect tithes from clerics and laymen, provided it acts with the advice and consent of bishops.
"But we confirm with apostolic authority the tithes that you might extract by your zeal, with the advice and consent of the bishops from the hands of clerics and laymen, and even those that you obtain with the consent of bishops and their clerics."Omne Datum Optimum
[20] supported
The bull confirms the Order's right to collect tithes from clerics and laymen, provided it does so with the advice and consent of the bishops.
"But we confirm with apostolic authority the tithes that you might extract by your zeal, with the advice and consent of the bishops from the hands of clerics and laymen"Omne Datum Optimum
[21] supported
The bull's Latin text opens with the phrase 'Omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum desursum est', which is reproduced in the source alongside an English translation.
"Omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum desursum est, descendens a patro luminum, apud quem non est transmutatio nec vicissitudinis obumbratio."Omne Datum Optimum
[22] supported
A Templar named Gilbert de Ogrestan was accused of misappropriating Saladin's tithe in 1188 and was severely punished by the master of the time; this is the only tithe-related matter the page mentions, and it is not drawn from the bull's wording.
"Gilbert de Ogrestan (le Templier accusé du détournement de la dîme de Saladin en 1188 et qui fut sévèrement puni par le maître de l'époque)"Templiers en Angleterre