The Tempar History
The Knights Templar, officially known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, were one of the most powerful and wealthy of the Western Christian military orders. Founded in the aftermath of the First Crusade, they played a significant role in the Crusader States for nearly two centuries before their dramatic and controversial suppression.
Formation and History Of The Original Order Of The Knights Templar
Origins and Foundation
(c. 1119 – 1129)
The genesis of the Knights Templar can be traced to the efforts of Hugh de Payns, a French knight from Champagne, and eight of his relatives and companions. Around 1119, they approached King Baldwin II of Jerusalem with a proposal: to protect Christian pilgrims on their dangerous journey to the Holy Land. The roads were rife with bandits and hostile forces, making pilgrimage a perilous undertaking.
Baldwin II, along with Warmund, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, approved their request. Initially, the knights operated with limited resources, relying on alms for their sustenance. Their original headquarters were located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, in a wing of the royal palace thought to be built on the ruins of Solomon's Temple – hence their name, "Knights of the Temple" or "Templars."
For their first decade, the Templars remained a relatively small and obscure group.
However, their fortunes changed dramatically with the Council of Troyes in 1129. Orchestrated largely by Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the most influential churchmen of his time and a nephew of one of the founding knights, the Council officially recognized the Order and granted it a monastic rule.
This rule, drafted with the help of Bernard, blended elements of Benedictine and Cistercian monasticism with a military vocation. It emphasized poverty, chastity, and obedience, while also outlining the duties and responsibilities of a military order dedicated to protecting pilgrims and fighting for the Christian faith.
Growth and Power
(c. 1129 – 1291)
Following the Council of Troyes, the Templars experienced an astonishing surge in membership, wealth, and influence.
Papal Endorsements and Privileges: The Order quickly gained the favor of the Papacy. In 1139, Pope Innocent II issued the papal bull Omne Datum Optimum, which granted the Templars extraordinary privileges. These included:
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Exemption from tithes and local episcopal authority.
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The right to build their own oratories (chapels).
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Permission for their priests (chaplains) to administer sacraments to members.
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The ability to recruit members without episcopal consent. These privileges effectively made the Templars answerable only to the Pope, solidifying their independent power base. Subsequent papal bulls further reinforced their unique status.
Military Prowess and Role in the Crusades
The Templars became the shock troops of the Crusader armies. Their distinctive white mantle with a red cross became a feared symbol on the battlefield. They were renowned for their discipline, courage, and ferocity in combat. Their most famous military engagements include:
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The Battle of Harim (1164): A major defeat for the Crusader forces, where many Templars were killed or captured.
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The Battle of Montgisard (1177): A stunning victory for the Crusader forces led by Baldwin IV, where the Templars played a crucial role.
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The Battle of Hattin (1187): A catastrophic defeat for the Crusader States, leading to the fall of Jerusalem. The Templars suffered immense losses, with many knights executed by Saladin.
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The Siege of Acre (1291): The final stand of the Crusader States. The Templars fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to the Mamluk forces, marking the end of Crusader presence in the Holy Land.
Financial and Economic Power
Beyond their military might, the Templars developed into a sophisticated financial institution. Their vast network of commanderies (local administrative units) across Europe served as strongholds, recruiting centers, and importantly, treasuries. They engaged in:
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Banking: They offered services such as loans to monarchs and nobles, and facilitated the transfer of funds across Europe using a system of letters of credit, effectively inventing an early form of banking. Pilgrims could deposit money in one Templar house and withdraw it from another, providing a safe alternative to carrying large sums of cash.
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Land Ownership: Donations from pious nobles and monarchs vastly increased their landholdings throughout Europe.
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Trade: They engaged in various forms of trade, further bolstering their wealth.
This immense wealth and interconnected network made them influential players in European politics, often acting as advisors and financiers to kings.
Decline and Suppression
(1291 – 1312)
The fall of Acre in 1291 marked the effective end of the Crusader States and a turning point for the Templars. Without a primary mission in the Holy Land, their raison d'être became less clear.
Loss of Purpose and Shifting Perceptions: While the Templars still maintained significant power and wealth, the loss of the Holy Land diminished public enthusiasm for the crusading ideal and, by extension, for the military orders. There was growing resentment over their vast wealth and perceived arrogance.
Philip IV of France's Ambition: The primary catalyst for the Templars' downfall was King Philip IV of France, known as "Philip the Fair." Philip was deeply in debt to the Templars and coveted their immense wealth. He also sought to consolidate royal power and reduce the influence of independent entities like the Order.
Accusations and Arrests (1307): In October 1307, Philip launched a coordinated crackdown. On Friday, October 13th, royal agents simultaneously arrested hundreds of Templars across France. The arrests were based on a series of outlandish charges, including:
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Heresy
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Idolatry (worshipping an idol known as Baphomet)
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Sodomy
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Sacrilege (trampling on the cross, denying Christ)
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Ritualistic spitting on the cross during initiation ceremonies
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Worshipping a severed head
These accusations were likely fabricated or exaggerated under torture.
Trials and Confessions: The arrested Templars were subjected to brutal torture by royal inquisitors, leading many to confess to the charges. These confessions, though coerced, were then used as evidence against the Order.
Papal Involvement and the Council of Vienne (1312):Pope Clement V, a Frenchman who had moved the papacy to Avignon, was initially hesitant to act against the Templars, as they were under papal protection. However, under immense pressure and threats from Philip IV, Clement eventually launched his own papal investigation.
At the Council of Vienne in 1312, Pope Clement V, despite concerns about the validity of the charges and the lack of conclusive proof of heresy across the entire Order, issued the papal bull Vox in excelso. This bull formally dissolved the Knights Templar, not on the grounds of proven heresy, but to preserve the reputation of the Church and to prevent further scandal. The Templars' vast assets were largely transferred to the Knights Hospitaller, though Philip IV managed to seize a significant portion for himself.
Fate of Jacques de Molay: The last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, along with other senior Templar leaders, endured years of imprisonment and torture. In 1314, after retracting his coerced confession and proclaiming the innocence of the Order, De Molay was burned at the stake in Paris, along with Geoffroi de Charney, the Preceptor of Normandy. Legend has it that as he died, De Molay cursed Philip IV and Pope Clement V, proclaiming that they would soon follow him to their graves – a prophecy that remarkably came true within the year.
Legacy and Modern Myths
The dramatic end of the Knights Templar has fueled centuries of fascination and spawned numerous myths and legends.
Lost Treasures and Secrets: The sudden and violent suppression of the Order led to speculation about hidden Templar treasures and secret knowledge. While some Templar wealth undoubtedly went missing or was confiscated, the notion of a vast, undiscovered hoard of gold or mystical artifacts persists in popular culture.
Continuity Theories: Various theories propose that the Templars went underground, secretly continuing their order through other organizations, such as the Freemasons or other esoteric societies. While some historical links exist (e.g., certain Masonic rituals borrowing Templar symbolism), there is no conclusive evidence of a direct, unbroken lineage.
Guardians of Ancient Knowledge: Some myths portray the Templars as guardians of ancient secrets, perhaps related to the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, or other biblical relics. These theories are largely fictional, popularized by works like The Da Vinci Code.
Enduring Symbolism: Despite their demise, the Knights Templar remain a powerful symbol of chivalry, mystery, and tragic injustice. Their story continues to resonate in literature, film, and popular culture, ensuring their place as one of the most enigmatic and enduring orders in history.
The Knights Templar's history is a complex tapestry of religious fervor, military might, immense wealth, and political intrigue. From their humble beginnings protecting pilgrims to their dramatic fall at the hands of a covetous king, their story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked power and the arbitrary nature of justice in the medieval world.
