Research is being conducted to find out the motive that drove the monastic order all across the Atlantic Ocean. What were they looking for?
A new documentary written by Dr. Kathleen Ball, a researcher, and adventurer, tells the story of a new cave discovered near a small Brazilian town and reveals new information on the usually misunderstood warrior group. When Kathleen and her friend Adele start exploring the fascinating nature of Brail, they met a stranger who tells them of a secret undiscovered vein made of rocks a few miles away.
Overtaken by curiosity, the researchers head to the cave in the deep brush, only to discover images of the Templar cross carved on its walls. With Dr. Ball had already visited dungeons in France where thousands of knights were imprisoned after their trial, she instantly connected the images to those in the French prison. Along with images of the Templar cross, the walls also had human figures and other symbols. Even though the world has recently discovered that the Templars actually migrated to Brazil, traversing the ocean was the right call to avoid the annihilation faced in Europe.
The Knights Templar possibly arrived in Brazil in the 13the century, hundreds of years before Columbus. The order fled from Europe all across the Atlantic to escape their unfortunate fate under King Philip IV. However, the circumstances of the how and when is still yet unsolved. Prior to this discovery, the world had no records that the Templars traveled outside of Asia and Europe. Nonetheless, the new documentary is a call to look further into the heritage of the Templars.
]]>
In fact, there are many superstitions and legends around the Holy Grail, which makes it difficult for historians to know the truth.
Perhaps one of the most well-known legends is King Arthur’s and his principal quest for the Holy Grail.
Many believe that the Knights Templar, a medieval monastic order that started in Jerusalem, took the cup and hid it away from the sights.
As they aren’t many records of the Medieval ages, it’s difficult to explain the connection of the Templars to the Holy Grail.
It is possible that the Knights found the Holy Grail when they inhabited the Temple Mount and stored it somewhere else, taking into their consideration their international connections.
The question raised is what happened to the Holy Grail after the Templars’ trial. There are two theories concerning that: North or South. The first assumes that it was taken to a secret fortress in Paris, but after the King of France turned on them, they sent it to Scotland. The latter presumes that the Templars took the grail to Portugal, a country they have helped build after they left Cyprus.
Regardless of what we know today about the Holy Grail and its connection to the Knights Templar is truth or legend, it’s still an essential element of Medieval history and popular culture. It has inspired many famous books and movies, notably the Da Vince Code by Dan Brown.
]]>However, as the Knights developed and expanded in the Middle East, they had to survey and guard Jaffa and Acre's quays as well, where the travelers land. Over a short period of time, the Templars own nearly twenty commanderies on the coast. The only means of communication through these commanderies is by sea, as most of them had direct access to it.
The Templar's relationship with the waters started developing. In 1162, they imported a huge quantity of iron from Italy to Acre. A few years later, the order owned fleets in France that exported wine to England.
As the Templars became skilled fighters and traders, the sea became essential to their activities to transport goods and me. The various wars that the order took part in required the brothers to be dispatched to the Middle East. They used their own vessels and also merchant chips.
Not only that, but the Templars had strong political and military connections. They were often employed as envoys by kings and popes. Their international reputation led strong figures to involve them in matters of maritime transport.
The Templar's engagement in maritime activities is only proof that the order had a significant influence and power in the Medieval Ages. They went from a small group of knights in the holy land to an institution with a vast organizational structure and impact. Although it is unknown how many vessels did the Templars known, it is a fact that they mastered the art of maritime.
]]>In fact, the Templars were fierce warriors who show braveness and competence in wars—their ideal military attitude made them a subject of interest and admiration. Let’s have a closer look at the famous Templar Cross and its significance.
Basically, the cross is visually similar to many Catholic crosses. Unlike the cross seen in churches, the Templars’ cross has branches of the same size, based on the Greek model. However, the Templar cross has thinner arms, and its legs are shaped like a “T,” known as a Cross Pattée. It is also similar to the Maltese Cross, which wasn’t developed until the 16th century. Nonetheless, these two crosses symbolize radically different meanings.
In the beginning, the order had no symbol. Then, they were granted permission to wear distinctive white mantles by Pope Honorius II. The garments symbolized purity and the chastity vows that the brothers took. Later on, they have authorized to ass a red cross as a symbol of the suffering that Christ saved us from.
The Knights Templar often wore the cross on the battlefield as a symbol that evokes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Knights Templar were not afraid of death because they are going to heaven fighting for the word of God.
The Templar cross is one of the most symbols associated with soldierly power, braveness, and courage. In fact, it is still worn on clothing and accessories with pride by many people today.
]]>Domme is built on a hill of 150 meters. It overlooks the valley below and offers unmatched views of the landscaping. It also overlooks the gorgeous Dordogne River.
Much like most medieval towns, Domme was built high for protection and defense. It also allows seeing when enemies are approaching.
However, Domme is more than a beautiful commune. Once, it was where King Philip IV imprisoned the Templars.
In 1307, thousands of Templars were held captive in the town's dungeons after the king and his comrades arrested them. Underneath the medieval town, the Knights awaited their trial, where many members were executed. However, in the time that the Templars spent underground, they left hundreds of images and graffiti cravings. They even used a code that represents their faith and fate.
Archaeologists have succeeded in deciphering the code. The octagon symbolizes the Holy Grail that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. The square means the temple on the mount, back in Jerusalem where the order first started. It is surrounded by a circle that refers to the imprisonment that the order faced.
The Templars ending was indeed unfortunate. Some members confessed under torture to the allegations and were burned alive at stake. Others who resisted the torture were either imprisoned or sent to join the order of the Knights Hospitaller, which inherited many lands and assets of the Templars.
Domme today is labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its astonishing architecture is well-preserved. You can admire the fortified arches under the town's yellow stones and explore the Templars graffiti carved into walls. The least, it is worthy of your visit.
]]>They were the first military order and perhaps the most powerful and wealthy. With their unique white mantles, The Templars had a huge success in the Crusades.
They were for almost two hundred years, during which they grew in members, power, and richness in Europe and in the Middle East.
However, The Knights Templar was not the only monastic order in the medieval games. However, it seems strange for the 21st-century mind to grasp the ideas that they were once monks who fought for the word of God.
One order, in particular, known as the Knights Hospitaller was to the Templars. The Hospitallers was founded by Blessed Gerard, a member of the Benedictine order. They started in a hospital in Jerusalem, hence the name, to provide care for the sick and the unfortunate.
In response to the Holy Land being taken by the Crusaders and the Knights Templar's appearance, the Hospitallers went through a massive transformation. They expanded their activities from medical to the military also.
The order had many similarities. First, they were governed and regulated by monastic rules based on absolute obedience and taking chastity vows. The Knights Templars fought alongside the Hospitallers in the Crusades. The first was distinguished by their white mantles with red crosses in battle, while the latter had black mantles with white eight-pointed crosses.
In 1307, the Knights Templar came to an end by the King of France and the Pope. They were accused of heresy and the practice of magic. Many of their lands, assets, and properties were transformed to the Knights Hospitaller.
Unlike the Templars, these knights kept fighting in the Crusades. However, when knighthood went out of fashion, it became a charitable institution once again.
]]>Hugh de Payens became a familiar name after Jerusalem was established as a Crusader state. Along with a small set of knights, started an order known as the Knights Templar after the king permitted them to do so. The group aimed to provide protection to Christian travelers coming to Jerusalem. The Knights Templar set their headquarters first in the Temple of Solomon, hence their name.
Hugues was the first Grand Master of the order from 1118 until 1136, when he died. Although there isn't much evidence of where he was born, many said to agree that he comes from the land of Payens in Champagne, France. He was born in 1070 and became a knight at the age of 15. Back in France,
Hugues de Payens arrived at Jerusalem when he accompanied the Count of Champagne to the Holy Land in 1104, only to return ten years later, with a few other knights' companionships. There aren't any records that state whether that Hugues participated in the First Crusade or not.
The first assembly of the Knights Templar stayed in Jerusalem to protect pilgrims until 1127, when Baldwin II, the king back then, sent them back to France to gather donations and seek support to the order. Obviously, the king was a huge advocate of the Knights. He sent for Bernard of Clairvaux, an abbot and a leader of the Benedictines, to officially recognize the order and also to write down the Rule, which will later organize the lives of the knights. Hughes de Payens, along with Bernard, became known as the co-founders of the Knights Templar.
]]>Today, the order's name is associated with great warriors, skilled traders, and faithful monks. However, there is so much more to the Templars.
The Knights led a life regulated by strict rules and laws. Their daily life revolves around training for battles and refusing secularism. Bernard de Clairvaux wrote the Rule of the order after the Benedictine Rule that the Cistercians followed. One of its main components is swearing oaths.
Oath of Poverty: The Templars had to renounce personal possession and live a minimalistic life. The knights were prohibited from owning land. New members were supposed to donate their cash and property to the order.
Even when the Templars' wealth grew over the years, things were no different. Given that the Knights developed a big institution's financial instruction, thanks to their side businesses, they operated as a bank. Nobles who had to leave their homes for a long time to fight in the Crusades placed their wealth under the Templars' safeguard.
Oath of Chastity: It required the monks to stay celibate as long as they were members of the orders. The main focus of taking the oath is not to be distracted with secular matters, such as marriage and engaging in romantic or sexual acts.
Oath of Obedience: Perhaps this is the ultimate oath taken by the Templars. Being a Knight Templar meant living by the Rule and following God's orders first and the Commanders second. It also meant dedicating their lives to spreading the word of God and helping the unfortunate.
Although the Knights Templar led a life of discipline, including taking several oaths, it's all contributed to their incredible power.
]]>In Spain, notably, the Knights contributed immensely to the Iberian peninsula events and left behind a number of fascinating castles.
Castle of Miravet: It was built on a gorgeous view of the River Ebro. The castle is an excellent example of the fascinating architecture of the Knights Templar. The original building is Arab. It became a Christian property after it was conquested, and Ramon Berenguer IV, the Count of Barcelona, gave it to the Templars.
Castle of Ponferrada: One of the main missions of the order in Spain is to defend the French Way, which is the road from France to Santiago, on which you can find the castle. It comprises over 8000 meter square of land and has a very complicated military structure. It went through many modifications and reforms since the 14th century, but it remains one of the fascinating Templars buildings.
Castle of Montalbán: Originally a Muslim fortress, the Castle of Montalbán was reformed in the 12th century by the Knights Templar. It is situated in the Province of Toledo and stands 100 meters away from the Torcón river.
The castles mentioned above are just samples of the historical architecture the Templars left behind in Spain.
]]>As religious knights who didn't respond to anyone but the Pope, the Templars were exempted from taxes, which gave them many advantages. During its most active years, the order was involved in trading and commerce with both Christians and Muslims. It varied from renting out their shops to exporting wines and being exchange brokers. They also owned vessels and mills, which allowed them to expand their commercial enterprises to fund their military activities in Jerusalem.
Additionally, one of the main sources of income to the Templars was from banking and transportation of goods. As the order was a religious institution in the military, they were trustworthy. Many men of wealth and power were traveling from Europe to the Middle East. The order operated as a safeguard that assured the safety of transactions of coins through ships. The Templars offered pilgrims the opportunity to travel in safe and sturdy vessels, knowing that their assets will arrive safely to the Holy Land.
The various enterprises that the Knights Templar led allowed them to finance their military training to become the fierce warriors they are known to be.
]]>Hugues de Payens comes from France, where his name was familiar in Europe's most noble courts. At this point, western aid what much needed.
Hugues traveled through Europe, moving in high circles, meeting with rulers and noblemen. He was able to recruit a large number of new knights to join the order.
However, he needed to convince the Christian society of Jerusalem, which is why he repeatedly requested Bernard de Clairvaux's support.
Bernard was a well-known abbot whose alliance would guarantee the success of the order. He was born into a family of nobles and received good education during his early life.
Although being busy with the management of the monastery, he finally got back at Hugues. The two French men had a friend in common, Count Hugh de Champagne, who gave Bernard the land to build his Clairvaux. On the other hand, Hugh spent a reasonable period of his life in the Count's court. In 1125, the Count gave up everything, his tile, wife, and power to join the Knights Templar and fight in the Crusades.
Bernard sent an encouragement letter to Hugues, praising the order and humiliating the Christian Knighthood in Europe. He also wrote The Rule, which is the first official document to regulates the Templars' life. The rule of Saint Benedict inspired it. The rule was modified in 1138 after it was translated to French. However, it was a changing event in the history of the order.
The support of Bernard de Clairvaux was everything the Templars needed to become such an influential order.
]]>Many important dates shaped the narrative of the order. In 1000 B.C, the Temple of King Solomon was built in Jerusalem. In 1119, the order was founded by Hugues de Paynes when King Baldwin granted a small group of knights a place to live and to be active within the sacred site. In 1128, the co-founders of the institution Bernard de Clairvaux and Hugues de Payens wrote "the Templar Rule," which is the behavior code of the monastic order. It comprises rules and regulations that organize the lives of all members.
The order first went by The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon. They weren't recognized until 1139 when the Pope issued a ball that endorsed the Templars and gave them immunity from all taxes and authorities, except for the Pope's. It was a significant event in the history of the order.
In 1187, the Templars fought along with the Crusaders in the Battle of Hattin against Saladin and his army. The battle ended in favor of the Muslims, who inflicted serious casualties on the Templars. During the third Crusade, the Templars captured the port of Acre in 1191, which became their new headquarters in the Middle East.
Friday, October 13th, 1307, was the most dreadful day for the Templars. The Grand Master, 60 senior knights, and several other Templars were arrested by Phillip IV, king of France, under heresy allegations. The order was no longer active in Jerusalem and Western Europe. In Portugal, the monarch refused to believe the accusations made against the order and offered them protection under a new name.
]]>The order’s gained the admiration of King Henry II, who ruled England back then. He granted them land across the country, as they were the warriors of God.
The Knights Templar took the opportunity to build round-shaped churches as it is the design of their Mount in Jerusalem.
However, they didn’t build their headquarters in London until 1184. The Temple Church was consecrated a year later, and it played a crucial role in granting membership to new followers. Today, the Temple Church is considered one of the gorgeous touristic attractions in the city.
The Templar’s wealth and influence in England grew simultaneously. Over the years, they owned more lands and had a direct connection to the monarch. King Henry was not their only royal supporter. In fact, Queen Matilda, who had a strong attachment to Jerusalem, gave the Templars lands in Essex and Oxfordshire.
The queen’s gift to the Templars contributed to their strong presence in England in the upcoming years. Nonetheless, the Templars also supported the kingdom. When King Richard left England for the Holy Land, the country was under the hand of his brother, whose policies led the country to become excommunicated by the Church. To reverse the decision of the Pope, the Templars paid the envoys.
After the order’s trial in France, the Templars lost their power in England as well. Their lands and assets were passed to another monastic order, known as the Knights Hospitaller, which was founded for the same purpose as the Knights Templar.
]]>The Medieval Kingdom of Aragón in Spain: It was one of the provinces where the Templars had the most influence. It was the birthplace of some of their most prominent Grand Masters. The site also served as a battling theatre for the Crusades against the Muslim Moors during the Reconquista. As the Templars became more powerful in the region, they build several fortresses and served as mediators between the kingdom and the Church of Aragon.
Arville is a former commune in central France, and it served as a Templar complex. The knights used it as a center to train for war and to recruit new members. Those who were well trained in Arville could fight with the Crusaders in Jerusalem. After the order's epic fall, it was passed to the Knights Hospitaller.
La Rochelle: The Knights Templar were skilled traders whose wealth made them an influential group in the Medieval Ages. For that, a port on the Atlantic coast was a necessity. La Rochelle played an important site through which the Templar shipped arrived in France.
Tomar: France was not the only European country where the Templars were active. After the Templars won the battle against the Moors, they captured Tomar, and it became their headquarters in Portugal. They built a planned city comprising many buildings and castles, the thing that allowed them to expand to the Moorish territories.
The Temple Church in London: It was perhaps one of the most famous Templar sites in 1185 when the order was at its peak. It represented the symbolism of the Knights Templar and served as their headquarters in England. Till today, it is considered one of the fascinating churches in London.
]]>
Even though they started in Jerusalem, the Knights Templar had a great influence in many European countries. In Portugal, Tomar, the historical province, was their headquarters. The castle was constructed in 1160 and has served as the Templar’s managerial center in Portugal. Thirty years after its construction, it was captured by a Muslim army that put the castle under siege. The Templars stood up to the Muslims for six days under the command of the Grand Master Gualdim Pais, who founded the town of Tomar. After the castle was taken back, the Knights Templar and other powerful noble Portuguese began Christianizing Portugal again and getting rid of any Muslim rule. The victory demonstrated the skills of the order in war. In the 14th century, the Knights’ power started shrinking when the monarchy convinced the Pope that the knights were involved in heresy and, therefore, should be vanished.
The king also took away their wealth and land. In Portugal, things were different. Dinis, the king of Portugal back then, couldn’t see the truth in the allegations made against them. Instead, he offered them protection under a new name: The Order of Christ. He also moved their headquarters from Tomar to Castro Marim, close to the Spanish border. A century later, Prince Henry, the Navigator, restored the site, and it became the headquarters of the Order of Christ, who itself ceased to exist centuries later.
Tomar and other towns in Portugal still carry the spirit of the Knights Templar. The rich history of the order in Portugal is, unfortunately, is understudied outside of its borders.
]]>The campaign included over 26000 warriors, in addition to the Sultan’s personal force, which included powerful bodyguards. He marched with his army the “Ayyubid” into Southern Palestine, crossing the Sinai Desert, heading to Jerusalem.
Having numerical superiority, Saladin let his army wander in the countryside, plundering Christian homes.
Despite being outnumbered, King Baldwin II prepared his forces to defend at Ascalon. As he was burdened by his sickness and lacked experience, Baldwin marched with 375 knights to the town. However, he withdrew his forces once he saw the Muslim army.
On the other hand, Saladin was confident that the Crusaders would not attack with a small number of soldiers. He allowed his forces to move slowly and to loot in the villages. Thus, the army became scattered over and weak.
Baldwin, accompanied by Raynald of Châtillon, a French noble and the Knights Templar, escaped and thought of stopping Saladin before he arrives at Jerusalem. The roads were muddy, which caused the baggage train to be held up at a river crossing. That is when the Sultan was attacked by surprise by the Crusaders. His army was divided between the baggage train stuck in the mud and looting the surrounding Christian settlements. Not to mention that his horses were exhausted from marching too long.
King Baldwin’s army fiercely attacked the scrambled Muslims. Saladin managed to escape by riding a race camel.
Although the exact number of casualties is unknown, reports say that only 10 percent of Saladin’s forces returned to Egypt.
The Battle of Montgisard was an obvious win for the Crusaders and for the Knights Templar, who had a great rule in the victory of the Christian army.
]]>The Templars included wealthy and noble members of the society. In many countries, they had the admiration of the monarchy and the papacy.
Here is a list of the most famous and influential Templars:
Afonso I, the first King of Portugal: Known as the Conqueror, Afonso spent most of his time in the war with the Moors. He had a great admiration towards the Knights Templar and offered many donations to the order.
Geoffroi de Charney is a French Knight who dedicated his life to the Templars. He was the Preceptor of Normandy in France. He was accepted from a very young age in the order. Geoffroi, along with other Knights, was burned at stake by the King of France, who accused the order of heresy.
Hugues de Payens is perhaps one of the most famous members of the monastic order. He co-founded the order with Bernard of Clairvaux. They also write the Latin Rule, which comprises all the rules and the regulations that the Templars lived by. He served as a Grand Master for twenty years and helped build the order as the strong military and financial institution it became.
Bernard of Clairvaux is considered as the Templars saint. He outlined the Rule, which soon after became the code for Christian nobility.
The names mentioned above are just some examples of important figures in history who joined the order and dedicated their lives to it. The Knights Templar had a great influence in the Holy Land and Europe for over two centuries and had direct connections with kings, noblemen, and the church.
]]>
The Knights Templar is a historic Christian monastic order. Originally known as the Knights of the Temple of Solomon, in reference to where the order was first created, the Templars deeply influenced the history of Christianity and how orders are perceived.
The organization was, and still, fascinating on so many levels. First, the Templars were the first monks' warriors in history, which inspired the legend of King Arthur and The Holy Grail. On the other hand, the Templars' incredible war tactics and devotion to their banner are remarkable and still studied today by historians.
One of the most enchanting parts about the Templars is their architecture. The monks were ambitious and determined builders who shaped the mist for their architecture following the Byzantines.
Here are some of the most interesting elements of their architecture:
Battlements: Most of their castles had battlements as defenses to the wall. It consists of a walking wall with a top ridge.
Concentric: It's a favourite castle for the Knights Templar. It comprises a sequence of walls around the castle. If enemies attack a wall, they will find themselves trapped in a small alley that leads to another wall.
Gatehouse: The entries to the Templars castles were thoroughly secured and protected by a drawbridge. On both sides of the cake, you'll fund towers. Being the easiest entrances to the castles, gatehouses were usually fortified.
The Great Hall: Each castle has a main social center, which serves as a reception for ceremonies and dining.
The Keep: The Templars spent most of their day training for battles or battling, which is why a central keep was necessary at each castle. It's a large central tower, which is the last resort in case of an attack when all the defenses have failed.
In addition to the tangible architectural impact they left on the world, the Templars were also skilled bankers, warriors, and traders.
]]>
They are mainly known for their military achievements, incredible wealth, and ultimate downfall. Nonetheless, between battling, trading, and engaging in rituals, the Templars had an interesting day-to-day life that is similar to monks in the Medieval Times.
Being a monastic order in the Middle Ages, being regulated and governed by rules is only natural. The Templars followed “the Rule,” which was written by Bernard, the founder of the organization. It comprises a set of regulations that organizes every aspect of the Templar’s lives. Generally speaking, it calls them to resist the secular knighthood and fight for the word of God, and also to take chastity and poverty vows. Any sexual acts were solely prohibited and punished.
The Templars led a life similar to the monks, which meant they were allowed to possess a few things only, despite the great wealth of their organization. They could have close to 3000 acres of land, just enough to maintain their armor and support their household. All property was in moderation.
As the order grew in power and strength, the dress code of the members went through modifications to keep up with all the advancements in war garments. During the Crusades, the Templars had to carry shields, lances, swords, and three knives each.
When not at war, the Templars were monks with a strict daily routine. The members of the order, known as The Brothers, were expected to leave bed at 4 am for the canonical hours and to care for their horses. Then, they had to get up again for the Prime services, followed by a Tierce and a Sect at 12. Between the services, their daily routine included dining in complete silence.
Group values, complete obedience, and contemplation were all characteristics highly valued by the Templars.
]]>After they had taken permission from the king, the knights and their first grandmaster resided in a portion of the palace. The initial aim of the founding of the Knights Templars was to protect the traveling pilgrims coming to the Holy Land.
The group didn’t stop there and started digging around the mountains. Through the years, the group accumulated great wealth. In 1225, the monastic order who started with only nine members, was strong enough to enter Europe after the official Church granted official permission to operate in the continent. Not only that, but the Knights Templar gained the support of influential members, like Bernard of Clairvaux, the writer of the first rule that organized the orders.
The group’s wealth, influence, and fame skyrocketed in Europe. There are many factors that contributed to that. Most importantly, when Pope Innocent II issued a bull in 1139, which granted endorsement to the Knights Templar. After that, the monks only answered to the Pope, which thing that led to an unparalleled increase in power and membership. By then, the order had more than 20000 members with various rankings.
It is, without a doubt, that the Templars were the most powerful group of the Crusades. However, their braveness and their war tactics in their battlefields were not their best qualities.
As the order only helped accountability to the Papacy, it ran several business activities and offered banking services in different locations.
A small group of knights in Jerusalem became strong enough to run preceptories covering land from Syria to England and Portugal.
]]>The epic tale is the work of the novelist George R.R Martin in which he manifested his passion for the supernatural, dynasties, and medieval times. We can find many Middle ages elements in the story, including analogies with the monastic order of the Knights Templar.
The author of the books has always talked about his fascination with medieval history and how he exploited some of its elements in his books, notably, a song of ice and fire. In this latter, there are some obvious parallels between the events in the book and the events that the Knights of the Templar went through. For example, The Night's watch is similar to the Knights Templar in a myriad of ways. For instance, the members of the Night's watch are forbidden from getting married, have children, be materialistic or hold any land "Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come."―The Night's Watch oath. Similar to the latter, the Knights Templar were devoted only to worshipping God in the most selfless way, depriving themselves of anything that is material; money, wives, lands, treasures.
The fascinating history of the Knights, along with other elements, has clearly inspired the epic tale of Game of Thrones.
]]>The Grand Master: This position was permanent. The Grand Master is in charge of everyone else. The only way out of this office is dying or retiring with the Papacy's permission, which is less common.
The Master: is the local commander in each commandery, which is a small stronghold.
The Seneschal or the Grand Commander: is the right hand of the Master. He administers the lands that belong to the local temple. He is also in charge of war matters such as feeding and moving the armies.
The Turcopolier: is the person in charge of the Sergeants and the lights cavalry.
The Marshal: is the person in command of the arms and the horses. The Master consults him before making any decisions.
The Under-Marshal: is in charge of the other war equipment. He is also the person who held the banner of the Templars in war.
The Standard Bearer: or the Confanonier is the person in charge of the Squires, the young men who assisted the Knights. In battels, he marched before the banner.
The Knight: The knight is the backbone of the order, hence the name The Knights Templar. It's a highly valued office. To become a Knight, your father and grandfather must have been Knights too.
We can also find other offices when studying the Knight Templars' history, such as the Sergeant, the Squires, and the Treasurer, all of which had different responsibilities and duties.
]]>
To understand the difference between the Knights and the Crusaders, it is important to have a clear definition of both. According to the Latin Christians in the Middle Ages, a Crusade is any military campaign or war deemed by the papacy, which was led by the Pope of Rome back then, to be spiritually meritorious. It’s the just Christian war suggested by San Augustin a long time before the Crusades began. A crusade can’t happen between two Christians. The war has to be beneficial in the eye of God, and its main purpose should be defending its word. With that being taken into consideration, many wars in the 12th and 13th centuries fall into the category.
Shortly before the Crusaders arrived in Jerusalem, it was controlled by the Seljuk Turks, who attacked Christina pilgrims coming from Europe. This was when the Templar order was created. Its initial goal was to protect those travelers. Soon after, the order became much more than that. Being a Templar meant indulging in a number of rituals, taking vows of chastity, and also following rules and regulations concerning diet, garments, and social life.
On the other hand, in order to be a Templar, it’s not enough to indulge in a Crusade, but you have to be a member of the order.
The confusion usually associated with the Templars and the Crusaders is not random. In fact, they have many things in common. For instance, both have penitential elements such as renouncing sin and embracing the word of Christ.
]]>]]>
There are many speculations that attempt to explain the beginning of Freemasonry. It is said that it evolved from the board of stone crafters and masons in the Middle Ages. As cathedral building went through a decline, the crafters started accepting honoring members. The membership grew, and many symbols and speculation associated with modern-day Freemasonry began developing. The order in the 17th and 18th followed the rituals and rites of ancient religions.
Despite that, the organization has always met opposition from religions, especially the Catholic Church. Although it is always mistaken for being connected to Christianity as it resembles on many levels, Freemasonry is not a religious institution whatsoever. The actual link between the Knights Templar and modern-day masonry is not easy to prove, and so far, there is no evidence. However, many theories have attempted to explain it. It is a common idea that the Templars invaded the guilds of the stonemasons when the King and also the Church suppressed them. Later, the masons embraced some of the rituals of the Templars.
Today, the Templars and the Freemasons are often seen as two sides of the same coin. However, on their official website, the masons don’t recognize their connection to the monastic order.
]]>However, they were not the only military order which was active at the time. The Christian society of knights is comprised of several orders which came to light in the Middle Ages. They shared principles and beliefs such as dedicating their time and effort to protect Christian pilgrims coming to the Holy Land. Also, most of their members took vows of chastity and poverty and abided by their order's rules and regulations. Besides the Knights Templar, here are the original orders of the Crusaders.
The Knights Hospitaller is a monastic order that rose in the 12th century. They were the knights of Saint John Hospital in Jerusalem. They were tasked with providing help to those in need. The order is still publicity active and goes under the anime of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The Order of Santiago: It started in Spain, intending to protect Christendom and fight off the Muslim Moors from Iberia. The membership was restricted to the Nobles. Unlike the Templars, who the king abolished, Juan Carlos restored the order of Santiago as a civil association of nobility and honor. Today, it remains as such.
The Order of Calatrava: it is one of the four Spanish military orders, next to the order of Santiago. It started in the 12th century and received gained the Pope's approval over the years. Most of its power was debauched by the 15th century, but they remained active till two centuries ago.
The Teutonic Knights: It started in Acre, Jerusalem saving the same purpose as the Knights Templar. Since 1810, the order is no longer involved in military actions. Till today, the Teutonic Order still offer honorary knighthoods.
]]>It is a common idea that the Templars were at war with the Muslims throughout the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. However, that may not be entirely true. In fact, during their last trial, when the King of France executed the Templars, they were accused of being in league with the Muslims.
Although it is a bit unreasonable to talk about a friendship between the Muslims and the Knights, the connection between the two is far more complicated than what it is advertised. At battle with the Muslim armies, the Templars showed bravery and fearlessness. As they had great material sources and swore to fight for God, the monks founded the Crusaders, who were considered the greatest enemy of the Saracens and who were responsible for keeping Christianity alive in the Middle East. Although it is unfair to say that Islam set the ground for the templars, many Christian variants were suppressed in Europe but still operated in the east, where Islam was dominant.
The Templar's connection to the Muslims grew beyond the battles. The order's commercial, religious and diplomatic situation in the Middle East between the 12th and the 13th century is still studied by historians today. Given the fact that the Templars were warriors and not scholars, much of their history was undocumented, and their records were destroyed after the trial, which explains why there is so much cloudiness surrounding the organization.
]]>Under the city, they built a tunnel that runs from their site in the southwestern section to the southeastern section, where there is a sea. The tunnel was 350m long, and it was built as a secret passage that connects their site to the port. It works both, a good way to transfer goods and also as an escape in case of an emergency.
The tunnel was not discovered until 1994 accidentally by a plumber when it was flooded with water. In 1999 the Antiquities Authority of Israel opened the eastern section of the tunnel to the public. Since then, they worked on rehabilitating the western section, which itself was made available for visitors in 2007.
The tunnel of the Templars was not discovered until centuries after their last trial. With so much being revealed about the order, there is a lot still unrevealed.
]]>Jerusalem but it was first recognized as an official order in a small town in the region of Troyes, in France. Soon after that, they changed how monastic organizations are seen from the Middle East to Europe.
The Templars were monks who embodied high morals and values by taking vows of chastity and novelty. Their practices also involved a particular diet, which included not eating certain foods. In the Medieval ages, Myths and rumors were synonymous with the Templars. The public had speculations about everything, including their diet. Known as the fiercest warriors, many people thought that the members' diet has some kind of supernatural properties that helps the members live longer and age better than the average peasant back then. This rumor is based on the fact that many of the Templar Masters reached their sixties.
The Templars' diet was generally based on restricting the consumption of meat ( 3 times a week only) and drinking moderately.
The Knights were not allowed to eat meat on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Holidays. However, that was not special back then, as their diet was similar to Medieval Peasants that is based on vegetables, legumes, fruits, and grains. All of the restrictions are included in The Primitive Rules of the Templars', which was written by the Templars themselves.
Nonetheless, the Templars used to mix aloe pulp and hemp with their wine. It is known as the elixir of Jerusalem.
Although it is not clear if their special cocktail was the secret reason behind their longevity, it is undeniable that Aloe Vera has many qualities and inflammatory properties that help heal wounds and fight off infections.
]]>The Rule, by which the Templars abide, clearly states that women shall not join the order. In fact, it encourages its members to avoid the temptation of women as much as possible. By the law, there couldn't be a female Templar. Records, on the other, state different stories.
In Mühlen, a municipality in Styria, Austria, there was an official Temple where nuns were trained to serve the order. In other Templar houses, we could have also found females secretly devoted to the monastic order. Some women served by donating to the organization. Undoubtedly, women were not allowed in the order at any rank, but that didn't stop them from creating ties to the Knights Templar. Although it is possible to find women who were dedicated to the order, it is still rare and unusual. The Templars are by default monks, and therefore there was no place for a woman, as a server or as Master. Allowing a female in the Holy Temples was a sin to be punished for.
The Knights' attitude towards women is traditional and anti-feminist at its core. The Rule portrayed females as a contamination to the chastity and purity vows that the brothers took. Nonetheless, many Templars approached women in a more secular manner. They were ready to involve women in the matters of the order and give them full responsibility for a nunnery in Austria.
]]>