The Knights Templar
A complete history of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon — founded 1119, suppressed 1312, remembered forever.
Complete Guides
Comprehensive overviews of the major topics in the history of the Order.
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The Knights Templar: A Complete History
A comprehensive history of the Knights Templar, from their founding in 1119 to their dramatic suppression in 1312 and their enduring legacy.
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The Military Orders of the Crusades
An overview of the military religious orders of the Crusades — the Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaller and Teutonic Knights — in the Holy Land.
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The Knights Templar in the Holy Land
The military history of the Knights Templar in the Holy Land, from the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 to the fall of Acre in 1291.
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The Trial and Suppression of the Knights Templar
The dramatic arrest, trial, and suppression of the Knights Templar between 1307 and 1314, by King Philip IV of France and Pope Clement V.
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Templar Mythology, Symbolism and Hidden Knowledge
The mythology, symbolism, and legends of hidden knowledge that grew up around the Knights Templar after their suppression, and continue to this day.
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The Modern Legacy of the Knights Templar
The legacy of the Knights Templar in the modern world, from Freemasonry to neo-Templar orders, from popular culture to contemporary scholarship.
Deep Dives
Focused articles that explore specific chapters, people and places in depth.
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The Founding of the Knights Templar
The origins of the Knights Templar in 1119, with the founding by Hugues de Payens on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
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Hugues de Payens and the First Templars
The biography of Hugues de Payens, the founder and first Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and the band of knights he led to Jerusalem in 1119.
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Bernard de Clairvaux and the Templar Rule
The role of Bernard of Clairvaux, the Cistercian abbot, in championing the Knights Templar, drawing up their Rule, and writing in praise of the Order.
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The Grand Masters of the Knights Templar
A history of the Grand Masters of the Knights Templar, from Hugues de Payens to Jacques de Molay, with biographies of the most important Grand Masters.
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The Templar Cross and Mantle
The symbolism, history, and meaning of the red cross of the Knights Templar and of the famous white mantle worn by the brothers of the Order.
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Templar Initiation and the Charges of Secret Rites
The ceremony of initiation into the Knights Templar, the rules of secrecy, and the charges of secret rites that led to the Order's suppression.
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The Trial of Jacques de Molay
The arrest, trial, and burning of Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, in 1307-1314.
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Friday the 13th: The Templar Connection
The connection between the Knights Templar and the superstition of Friday the 13th, based on the date of the arrests of October 13, 1307.
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The Papal Suppression: Vox in Excelso
The bull Vox in Excelso, issued by Pope Clement V in 1312, by which the Knights Templar were formally suppressed by the papacy.
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The Fall of Acre 1291
The siege and fall of Acre in 1291, the last great battle of the Crusades in the Holy Land, in which the Knights Templar fought to the end.
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Templar Banking and the Temple in London
The financial activities of the Knights Templar and the role of the Temple in London as a banking center in medieval England.
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Temple Church in London
The history and architecture of Temple Church, the principal Templar church in London, founded in the 12th century and still standing.
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The Preceptories and Commanderies of the Knights Templar
The network of preceptories and commanderies of the Knights Templar across Europe and the Holy Land, with a focus on England, France, and Iberia.
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Rosslyn Chapel and the Sinclair Connection
The connection between Rosslyn Chapel, the Sinclair family, and the legends of a surviving Knights Templar Order in Scotland.
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The Order of Christ in Portugal
The Order of Christ, founded in Portugal in 1319 as the successor to the Knights Templar in the Portuguese kingdom, and its role in the Age of Discovery.
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The Templars and the Freemasons
The historical and legendary connections between the Knights Templar and the Freemasons, and the influence of the Templar myth on modern Freemasonry.
Questions & Answers
Direct answers to the questions people ask most about the Templars.
- What Is the Difference Between Templars and Hospitallers?
- Who Was the First Grand Master of the Knights Templar?
- What Does the Red Cross of the Templars Mean?
- Were the Knights Templar Guilty of Heresy?
- What Happened to Templar Treasure?
- Why Is Friday the 13th Unlucky?
- Do the Knights Templar Still Exist Today?
- What Is a Templar Preceptory?
- How Did Templars Wear Their Hair and Beards?
- What Is Baphomet?
- What Was the Chinon Parchment?
- Who Was Philip IV of France?
- Who Betrayed the Knights Templar?
- What Is the Rule of the Knights Templar?
- How Were Templars Initiated Into the Order?
- What Is the Difference Between Templars and Teutonic Knights?
- What Happened at the Council of Vienne?
- Where Are the Main Templar Sites in Jerusalem?
- What Is the Meaning of Beauseant?
- Who Was the Patron Saint of the Knights Templar?
- The Battle of Hattin and the Knights Templar
- What Role Did the Templars Play in the Reconquista?
- What Was a Templar Sergeant?
- How Did the Knights Templar Get So Rich?
- Who Was Bernard of Clairvaux?
- Who Was Pope Clement V?
- What Is a Commandery?
- The Shroud of Turin and the Knights Templar
- Were Templars Burned at the Stake?
- The Siege of Ascalon and the Templars
- The Battle of La Forbie and the Templars
- The Templars and the Second Crusade
- The 'Sword of Balian': A Modern Myth
- Bernard of Clairvaux and the 1138 Mediation