alexis

Since I read Umberto Eco's "Focault Pendulum's", I've been attracted by the stories of the Knight Templars.

Even if they started as a very poor military order in 1118, with just nine members in the temple of Jerusalem (hence the title "Poor Knights of the Temple") dedicated to work as escorts for the pilgrims, they soon became one of the most powerful organizations in the Middle Ages.

The Pope took the Templars under his protection and exempted them from all jurisdictions, and they were also favored by many kings in Europe.

The Templars adquired many possessions in the battles in Palestine and many say they were great warriors, combining the discipline of monks and soldiers.

Many accusations has been made about the Templars rites and the truth of their faith, I think this just adds to their mistery.

The Templars had a tragic end, many feared the great power they had adquired and I guess they just knew too many secrets. Many secret orders are said to inherit ideas from the Templars but as far as I know this haven't been confirmed.

I'd like to know what you think about the Knight Templars, what you think is true history and what is just myth?

Commander

I believe that they were a high order of knights.. probably some of the most powerful warriors in the world. They were entrusted with all the treasure stolen or found during their raids.

I just found this on wiki

There were 4 types of Knights Templar

1. the knights, equipped as heavy cavalry (wore a white habit with red cross);
2. the sergeants (serjens), equipped as light cavalry and drawn from a lower social class than the knights (wore a brown mantle);
3. the serving brothers - the rural brothers (frères casaliers), who administered the property of the Order, and the frères de métiers, who performed menial tasks and trades;
4. the chaplains, who were ordained priests and saw to the spiritual needs of the Order.

907Group

if you search for knights of templar.. on google. there are many sites that offer real good information.

its actually real location!

Confederate

They were also the first real Banker's.

Comet

Probably the best way to learn more about the knights templar is to find any book written by Malcolm Barber. He is a british historian who is the leading scholar on the Templars. There is also a DVD out entitled "The Knights Templar" where Barber aids in elaborating the importance of the order within the history of the Crusades.

CelticBard

They have become a household word through the Da Vinci Code and National Treasure. Everyone thinks they have so many secrets they are hiding. Why cant the Teutonic Knights or the Hospitallers get any press?

Breth

Because they werent put to the death by the Church? Anyways I think that the kinghts of Templars were some knights who were good and maybe starting a new religion or religous sect of christianity. No hidden bible treaures and such.

CelticBard

The Samurai were killed by their masters, I believe the Praetorian guard were executed, so were the Janissaries, it's kind of a trend for elite military groups.

Comet

Absolutely right.....how can a group go from a favorite of the Church to being a "thorn" in the Church's side. The biggest charge against them was heresy....there is some speculation that they may have done their initiations "differently" than most military orders. It is a subject that is still heavily debated.

CelticBard

Look at Hitler's Brown Shirts and the Turkish Janissaries, they were the favorites and then killed for a new breed of soldier, Hitler's were the SS and the Sultan's were a modernish army. The elite always find themselves in hot water.