Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
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
Crusades
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 helpAfter 1126 they got support and
were one of the wealthiest groups
1165 built a string of castlesDidn’t retreat unless they were
outnumbered 3 to 1
Templars beginnings
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
A New Perspective
(During their Peak)Templars were very
wealthyPrinces in fact even
owed money to the Templars
This money gave them power – Rome’s power over them was rarely enforced
Money
1st religious military order
Held meetings in secret, secretive possessions
Poor Fellow – Soldiers of Christ
Knights of Templar-Knights of the Temple
What were they?
Muslim enemies pushed them out of JerusalemTemplars 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 = FrancePhillip the IV of France
Needed Money and concerned by Templar’s powerWanted them taken out, but couldn’t do it without Pope’s
consent and permissionTook out 2 popes than put in a pope that wouldn’t get in his
wayFriday April 13th Phillip Constables confiscated all
Templar property and arrested all Templars
Downfall of Templars
Templar knights have become something of secrecy, due to their hardened reputation
Coincide with church of FreeMasonsToday they are a service organization in the
United StatesMany practices (such as banking) influence
our practices of today
How the Knights Live On
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
Bibliography