In the early 12th century, the road to Jerusalem was treacherous for Christian pilgrims. To protect them, a French knight named Hugues de Payens formed a small band of soldiers. For a decade, they operated in relative obscurity. Then, in January 1129, everything changed. At the Council of Troyes, the Catholic Church officially recognized them as a new kind of institution: a military-monastic order. Guided by the influential abbot Bernard of Clairvaux, they took vows of poverty and obedience while remaining warriors. Known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ, they were given headquarters on Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Their mission was clear, and with the Church’s blessing, their power was about to grow exponentially.
The Templar Knights
The Knights Templar, a crusading order founded around 1119 to protect pilgrims, which grew rich handling money for Europe's rulers until Philip IV of France had its members arrested and the Pope dissolved it.
Chapter 1
The First Templars
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original purpose of the Knights Templar?
The Knights Templar were founded around 1119 to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. After the First Crusade, the journey to Jerusalem was still dangerous, and the order was created to provide armed escort and security. They combined the roles of monk and soldier.
How did the Templars become so wealthy?
The Templars' wealth came from several sources. They received large donations of land and money, were exempt from taxes, and kept all spoils of war. Most importantly, they created an early form of international banking, using letters of credit to allow pilgrims and nobles to deposit assets in one country and withdraw them in another.
Why were the Knights Templar arrested?
King Philip IV of France, who was heavily in debt to the order, arrested all Templars in his kingdom on Friday, October 13, 1307. He accused them of heresy to justify seizing their immense wealth and canceling his debts. While most charges were fabricated, the scandal led to the order's dissolution by the Pope.
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