Forged By: Maggie the Great, Maria the Kind, Paige the Royal The Knights Templar Forged By: Maggie the Great, Maria the Kind, Paige the Royal

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Crusades In 1096 Pope Urban II launched a military expedition to take the Christian Holy Land from Muslims (and their ruler Saladin) By 1100 Crusaders owned land from Sinai Peninsula to Northern Syria Pilgrims made journey to holy places believing the Crusaders could help them Many knights lost their lives throughout the crusades -throughout two hundred years 20,000 knights lost their lives

Templars beginnings A group of 9 knights presented themselves to Huges de Payens to start the order Took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience yet were devoted to war (got fear and respect) Slow start couldn’t get many people to help After 1126 they got support and were one of the wealthiest groups 1165 built a string of castles Didn’t retreat unless they were outnumbered 3 to 1

A New Perspective Bernard of Clairvaux helped the Templars with their financial situation Turks were violent and on constant attack Mainly fought Muslim groups to protect pilgrims The knights came from all across Europe- very diplomatic Holy war- new concept at the time Main structure built in Jerusalem built supposedly where Solomon’s temple was Equally dedicated to prayer and holy duties as war Took a vow of poverty, though Knights of Templar were wealthy -started as

Money (During their Peak) Templars were very wealthy Princes in fact even owed money to the Templars This money gave them power – Rome’s power over them was rarely enforced

Templar Dress Wore red cross to recognize them as Templars

What were they? Knights of Templar-Knights of the Temple 1st religious military order Held meetings in secret, secretive possessions Poor Fellow – Soldiers of Christ Knights of Templar-Knights of the Temple

Downfall of Templars Muslim enemies pushed them out of Jerusalem Templars fought to their deaths Now that Holy Land was out of their hand they retreated to Europe – made Europe’s Kings nervous New Templar center of power = France Phillip the IV of France Needed Money and concerned by Templar’s power Wanted them taken out, but couldn’t do it without Pope’s consent and permission Took out 2 popes than put in a pope that wouldn’t get in his way Friday April 13th Phillip Constables confiscated all Templar property and arrested all Templars

How the Knights Live On Templar knights have become something of secrecy, due to their hardened reputation Coincide with church of FreeMasons Today they are a service organization in the United States Many practices (such as banking) influence our practices of today

Bibliography http://faculty.smu.edu/bwheeler/Ency/templar.html Knight By Christopher Gravett History Channel In Search of History: Knights Templar http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-templar- history.htm