A medieval order of knights famed for their role in the Crusades and their complex financial networks.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Founder: Hugues de Payens
Founded: 1119
Ended: 1312
Location: France
Offshoots: Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem
Other Names: The Order of Solomon’s Temple, The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon
The Knights Templar, formally known as The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was formed in the aftermath of the First Crusade, with a mission to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. Established around 1119 by Hugh de Payns and eight other knights, with the backing of Baldwin II, the King of Jerusalem, they set up their headquarters on the Temple Mount, which lent the order its name. The Templars were unique for blending the roles of warrior and monk, taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and were recognized by the Catholic Church in 1129, gaining rapid support across Christendom for their dual mission of military valor and spiritual devotion.
The Templars developed a formidable reputation for military prowess in the Crusades, renowned for their strict discipline and fearlessness in battle, often forming the vanguard of Crusader forces. Their rule, influenced by the Cistercian Order, dictated a life of austerity and piety, yet they were distinguished from other monks by their martial duties, which included the defense of the Crusader states and the protection of pilgrims against Muslim raiders.
Economically, the Templars pioneered early banking systems, offering pilgrims the ability to deposit funds in their home countries and withdraw them in the Holy Land. This financial acumen made them one of the wealthiest and most powerful institutions of the medieval world, extending loans to monarchs and nobles and acquiring vast tracts of land and properties across Europe and the Near East.
Their decline began in the late 12th century following the Muslim reconquest of Jerusalem and the erosion of Crusader states, culminating in the loss of Acre in 1291. The Templars retreated to Europe, where their immense wealth and influence attracted jealousy and suspicion. In 1307, under the orders of King Philip IV of France, many Templars were arrested on charges ranging from heresy to blasphemy, leading to the execution of their leaders and the order’s dissolution by Pope Clement V in 1312. The Templars’ assets were largely absorbed by the Knights Hospitaller, another military order, though some believe their legacy persisted through other channels, including the Freemasons. The Templars have since become the subject of numerous legends and conspiracy theories, from guarding the Holy Grail to secret banking conspiracies, ensuring their place in both history and myth.
image via Religion Dispatches
