1. 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

2. Movies

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Templar Dress
Wore red cross to recognize
them as Templars

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Bibliography http://faculty.smu.edu/bwheeler/Ency/templar.html
Knight By Christopher Gravett
History Channel In Search of History: Knights Templar
history.htm