The Knights Templar, or the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, are a religious military order formed in 1099 during the medieval Crusades to protect Christian pilgrims on the way to the Holy Land. They soon control the wealth of France.
The Crusades dominate European history for almost two hundred years, c.1095 - 1291 AD.
Following the conquest of Jerusalem by the Franks during the First Crusade in 1099, many Christians embark on pilgrimages to sacred sites in the Holy Land.
While Jerusalem itself is secure, the rest of Outremer is plagued by bandits and robbers who swarm to easy prey. They rob and kill Christian pilgrims making the journey from Jaffa to the interior of the Holy Land. often slaughtering believers en masse.
The Outremer describes the four feudal states in the Levant, created after the First Crusade c. 1100. They are the County of Edessa, the Principality of Antioch, the County of Tripoli, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Members of the Knights Templar Order swear an oath of poverty, chastity and obedience. They're not allowed to drink, gamble or swear. Prayer is essential to daily life. The Templars express particular adoration for the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary.
There are many symbols linked to the Knights Templar, the most famous being the Red Cross. The Cross represents martyrdom and affiliation with the church. Another emblem of the Templars is two knights riding on a single horse.
In 1139 Pope Innocent II issues a bull granting the Order special privileges. The Templars are permitted to build their own oratories, or buildings functioning as churches, and not required to pay the tithe. They're exempt from episcopal jurisdiction, subject to the Pope alone.
Originally an Order of poor monks, the Knights Templar gain charitable status in Europe thanks to the bull from the Pope. The Order receives additional income from new members who, due to their vows of poverty, contribute significant wealth.
The Knights Templar undergo a strong evolution in the 12th century. The Order expands its responsibilities, gradually assuming a broader military role. With the rise of conflicts and tensions in the region, Knights Templar are increasingly involved in campaigns and defense.
The military power of the Templars allows them to securely gather, store, and move bullion between Europe and the Holy Land. Their system of treasure repositories and well-organized transportation networks make them desirable as financial partners to monarchs and merchants.
Bullion is gold and silver in physical form with high purity, typically in the shape of bars, ingots or coins. In some cases, bullion is regarded as legal tender and kept as reserves by central banks or institutional investors, like those of the Knights Templar.
Their martial prowess and strategic acumen gains renown, earning Templars a reputation as formidable warriors on the battlefield. This shift in focus from solely protecting pilgrims to actively engaging in military activities marks a significant turning point for the Order.
Along with military duties, the Knights Templar take on responsibilities related to governance, finance and diplomacy. They establish a network of commanderies and fortifications across the Holy Land, effectively creating a quasi-feudal state.
This expansion of their administrative and logistical capabilities allows the Templars to exert considerable influence in politics of the time. The 12th century saw the Knights Templar evolve from a humble order of warrior-monks to a major military and political force in the Holy Land.
Despite their noble premise, the Knights Templar face controversy. As their wealth and power grow, they come under attack by rival orders such as the Teutonic Knights, founded c. 1190, and the Knights Hospitaller, also founded in the twelfth century.
The downfall of the Knights Templar orchestrated by King Philip IV of France is a significant event in history due to a complex web of political, financial, and religious motivations. King Philip IV, also known as Philip the Fair, finds himself burdened by debts.
Accusations of blasphemy and allegations of misconduct come up against the Knights Templar, tarnishing their reputation and leading to increased scrutiny by the Inquisition. By the fourteenth century, Knights Templar are being burned alive.
Seeking ways to replenish his treasury, he set his sights on the wealthy and powerful Knights Templar. King Philip IV's actions against the Knights Templar are well planned. On October 13, 1307, countless French Templars are simultaneously arrested by agents of the King.
Philip accuses the Order of heresy and corruption, using these allegations as a pretext to target the Templars and seize their assets. The King's campaign against the Templars includes arrests, interrogations, and trials marked by coercion and torture to extract confessions.
Suppression and dissolution of the Knights Templar marks the end of the order. The fall of the Templars have far-reaching consequences, leading to the redistribution of their wealth and properties, as well as the dispersal of their members.
Although the Knights Templar are affiliated with Freemasonry today, they don't relate to the original Catholic Order. Freemasonry arises as a fraternity at end of the 14th century, by which time the Templar have disbanded.
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