Against HRE in the dark age, it's not easy to get kills, especially when they have a Prelate nearby for healing.

Both these civilizations are excellent when it comes to generating gold in the mid game as well. You got the pilgrims from the Knights Templar, but that needs map control. You got the relics on the side of the HRE, but that needs map control, at least temporary. You got to secure those relics in. And if you're able to get them in, pretty much every single relic makes up for one pilgrim on your opponent's side.

Instead prioritize those relics; if you can secure at least three relics, you're in a pretty healthy spot against the HRE.

However, the problem with these Hospitaller Knights is because of their reduced ranged armor, they're really susceptible to large archer masses, which HRE historically favors.