Knights Templar

Knights Templar
Rkcora · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Knights Templar
Founded	1118
Founder	Hugh de Payens, Godfrey de Saint-Omer
Defunct	1307
Location	Temple Mount, Jerusalem

Knights Templar. The Order of the Temple was founded in 1118 by Hugh de Payens and Godfrey de Saint-Omer with the primary goal of protecting Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The Kingdom of Jerusalem, established after the First Crusade, was a key location for the Knights Templar, who were also supported by Baldwin II of Jerusalem and Bernard of Clairvaux. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem served as the order's headquarters, and they were involved in various activities, including banking and trade, which helped to establish them as a powerful and influential organization, with connections to the Catholic Church and Pope Innocent II.

● History

The Knights Templar were founded during the Crusades, a series of military campaigns launched by Christian leaders, including Pope Urban II and Richard the Lionheart, to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. The order's early history was marked by its involvement in the Battle of Hattin and the Siege of Jerusalem (1187), which were significant events in the Third Crusade. The Knights Templar also had connections to other Christian orders, such as the Hospitallers and the Teutonic Knights, and were supported by European monarchs, including King Philip II of France and King John of England. The order's growth and influence were also facilitated by its relationships with Pope Alexander III and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

● Organization

The Knights Templar were organized into a hierarchical structure, with the Grand Master at the top, followed by the Seneschal and the Marshal. The order was divided into provinces, each governed by a Provincial Master, and had a network of commanderies and preceptories throughout Europe and the Middle East. The Knights Templar also had a system of ranks and offices, including the Knight, Sergeant, and Chaplain, and were known for their distinctive white mantle with a red cross. The order's organization was influenced by the Cistercian Order and the Benedictine Rule, and they had connections to other monastic orders, such as the Carthusians and the Franciscans.

● Activities

The Knights Templar were involved in a range of activities, including military campaigns, banking, and trade. They played a significant role in the Battle of Montgisard and the Siege of Acre (1191), and were also involved in the Fifth Crusade and the Seventh Crusade. The order's banking activities, which included the provision of loans and the management of deposits, helped to establish them as a major financial institution, with connections to the Medici family and the Wool Merchants of Florence. The Knights Templar also had a significant impact on the development of architecture, particularly in the design of castles and churches, such as the Temple Church in London and the Convent of Christ in Tomar.

● Suppression

The Knights Templar were suppressed in the early 14th century, following a series of trials and executions ordered by King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V. The order's suppression was motivated by a combination of financial and political factors, including the French monarchy's desire to eliminate a powerful and independent organization. The Trial of the Templars was a significant event in the order's history, and involved the torture and execution of many Knights Templar, including the Grand Master, Jacques de Molay. The suppression of the Knights Templar also had a significant impact on the development of European history, particularly in the Kingdom of Portugal and the Kingdom of Aragon.

● Legacy

The Knights Templar have had a lasting impact on Western culture, particularly in the fields of architecture, art, and literature. The order's influence can be seen in the design of buildings such as the Temple Church in London and the Convent of Christ in Tomar, and in the artistic and literary works of authors such as Wolfram von Eschenbach and Sir Walter Scott. The Knights Templar have also been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories and legendary accounts, including those of Dan Brown and Umberto Eco. The order's legacy can also be seen in the modern orders of chivalry, such as the Order of the Garter and the Order of the Thistle.

● Mythology

The Knights Templar have been the subject of numerous myths and legends, including those surrounding their alleged treasure and their supposed connection to the Holy Grail. The order's esoteric and mystical practices have also been the subject of much speculation and debate, particularly in the fields of occultism and esotericism. The Knights Templar have also been associated with other legendary and mythological figures, such as the King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and have been the subject of numerous works of fiction, including films and novels. The order's mythology has also been influenced by the Catholic Church and the Protestant Reformation, and continues to be a topic of interest and debate among historians and scholars. Category:Christian Orders