The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, best known as the Knights Templar, were one of the most important and best known medieval military organizations. Originally founded in 1119 AD in order to protect the pious pilgrims who journeyed to Jerusalem, they eventually grew into one of the wealthiest and most popular Catholic Christian orders. But even so, there were few organizations in history that have been shrouded in mystery and intrigue as were the Knights Templar. Almost as quickly as they rose to prominence, these holy warriors declined and suffered a sudden and enigmatic downfall. Their demise spawned a number of enigmatic legends, and a myriad of conspiracy theories that captivate public imagination to this day. What were the circumstances of their abrupt fall? And is there any truth to all the odd theories?
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History and Mystery Entwined: The Story of the Knights Templar
The order of the Knights Templar was officially founded in 1119 AD by a group of nine prominent knights, led by Hugues de Payens (Hugo de Paganis). Besides Payens, the other knights were recorded as Godfrey de Saint-Omer, Payen de Montdidier, Archambaud de St. Amand, André de Montbard, Geoffrey Bison, and two men who were known by their names - Rossal and Gondamer. Their initial mission was straightforward but noble: to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land following the First Crusade. One contemporary chronicler, Simon de St. Bertin, records how the idea of the Knights Templar came to be, perhaps even before 1119, and before the death of Godfrey of Bouillon who led the First Crusade. He writes:
“While he [Godfrey] was reigning magnificently, some had decided not to return to the shadows of the world after suffering such dangers for God's sake. On the advice of the princes of God's army, they vowed themselves to God's Temple under this rule: they would renounce the world, give up personal goods, free themselves to pursue purity, and lead a communal life wearing a poor habit, only using arms to defend the land against the attacks of the insurgent pagans when necessity demanded.”
de St. Bertin, Simon. "Gesta abbatum Sancti Bertini Sithensium".
De Payens sought the approval of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, and with it, he established the order’s headquarters on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The site was of major importance, and was revered by Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike. Temple Mount was full of religious significance and would in time become the focal point of all the myths related to the order.
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Map of the first crusade. (Original work: Captain Blood/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Warriors of Christ
By 1129, the Templars were a legitimate order, having gained formal recognition from the Catholic church and the Pope, at the Council of Troyes. From the onset of their formation, these knights adopted a specific role of “warrior monks”, and would lay down vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, as was dictated by core Christian doctrines. The order’s leaders penned down their beliefs and rules in a codex named “Latin Rule”, which contained 72 clauses that outlined how an ideal knight was to behave. At first, these warrior monks were simply there to protect pilgrims. But in time, their role expanded beyond this. They became a formidable military force, thanks to the knights in their ranks, and were defending Crusader states in the Holy Land and engaging in battles against Muslim forces.
The Templars' military success and religious zeal were matched by their acumen in finance. So they branched even beyond simple military roles. They developed a sophisticated banking system, allowing pilgrims and Crusaders to deposit funds in Europe and withdraw them in the Holy Land. This innovation not only bolstered their wealth but also laid the foundation for modern banking practices. By the mid-12th century, the Templars had amassed immense wealth, extensive landholdings, and political influence across Europe. In less than a century, they were one of Europe’s wealthiest chivalric orders, and held sway over important political figures of the time.
But even so, the fortunes of the Templars began to wane in the 13th century. The fall of Acre in 1291, marking the end of Crusader control in the Holy Land, undermined the order's primary mission and their role there. Without a clear purpose, and with many enemies due to their wealth, the Templars faced increasing scrutiny and hostility. Of course, their downfall was hastened by political and financial tensions. The French King Philip IV, heavily indebted to the Templars, saw an opportunity to eliminate his creditors while consolidating his own power. It was a ruthless move of a cunning monarch.
A Sudden Downfall
King Phillip was one of the most powerful rulers in Europe at the time, even though he owed a large amount of money to the Templars. To move them out of the picture and thus erase his debts, Philip orchestrated a mass arrest of Templars in 1307. To achieve this, he pressured Pope Clement V to turn against them. Thus, the Knights were accused of heresy, blasphemy, and many other grave sins. Accusations involved the alleged rumors of a secret initiation ceremony, which caused distrust amongst Europe’s foremost leaders. Of course, many of the charges were likely fabricated, such as bizarre and orgiastic rituals, idol worship, and the denial of Christ. In simpler terms, this was a political crusade against the Templars, who simply became too rich and influential for their own good.
Templars being burned at the stake. (Public Domain)
And so it was that the Knights Templar, even though wealthy and having warriors, became the hunted. Across Europe they were captured and subjected to ghastly torture, and thus forced to confess many different sins. Many were burned at the stake following this. Formally, the Pope dissolved the Knights Templar in 1312 AD at the Council of Vienne. Just two years later, the last Grand Master of the Templars, Jacques de Molay, was burned at the scaffold. He allegedly cursed his killers as he perished in the flames. With him, the order was finally extinguished.
Council of Vienne. (Internet Archive Book Images/Public Domain)
However, the sudden and dramatic end of the Templars left many questions unanswered. Their vast wealth seemingly vanished, and their secretive practices during their final years gave rise to numerous legends and conspiracy theories. Their apparent fall from grace was a fertile ground for many rumors and myths. Some alleged that they secretly worshipped the Devil, while others spoke of the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant, and things that had to be hidden from the public eye.
Myths, Legends, and Wild Imaginations
One of the foremost and enduring legends surrounding this holy chivalric order is the Holy Grail. The chalice from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper, and into which his blood was caught at the crucifixion, it was a foremost relic for all Christians. The theory states that the Templars discovered and safeguarded the Grail during their time on the Temple Mount. While there is no historical evidence to support this, the idea persists in popular culture. It was popularized in the 19th century romantic literature, and later in the famous novel The Da Vinci Code written by Dan Brown.
A similar theory connects the Templars with the Ark of the Covenant and similar sacred Christian relics, such as the Spear of Longinus. Most of such beliefs stem from the Templar’s presence at Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which is itself a very old place seeped with mystery and religious significance. As the knights rapidly rose in prominence and gained immense wealth, many speculated that they had discovered some inexplicable ancient secrets or treasures that provided them with power and wealth. None of the theories, however, was backed by evidence.
Tomb of Pope Innocent VIII, transferred from the Old St. Peter's Basilica. The left hand holds the tip of the holy lance, presented to the Pope by Sultan Bayezid II (Burkhard Mücke/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Perhaps the most popular myth connected to the Knights is their alleged association with Freemasonry. The Order of the Freemasons appeared centuries after the Templars were hunted to extinction, but even so, some Masonic rituals and symbols are seen as an echo of Templar traditions. This supposed link has been a cornerstone of conspiracy theories, suggesting that the Templars survived in secret, influencing history from the shadows and continuing their original practices and rules.
Old Traditions in a Modern Age
Today, when much of history has been unraveled, the Knights Templar remain a focal point for conspiracy theories. Some suggest that they preserved esoteric knowledge that could challenge established religious doctrines, while others claim they orchestrated political and financial systems that shape the world to this day. This, of course, only proves that humans will never be satisfied with unexplained ends to stories, such as the (not so) enigmatic decline of the templars. When there is no satisfying explanation, people will always find new ones, letting their imagination run wild.
So, for example, there is a theory that the Templars survived in secrecy and created a secret network that influenced subsequent secret societies, such as the Illuminati, or the Rosicrucians. Needless to say, such theories are wildly speculative, and no evidence can back them up. There are those, on the other hand, claiming that the vast wealth of the Templars wasn’t truly lost, but rather hidden. This became yet another “lost treasure” story, as people believe that this vast wealth is awaiting discovery, even now. For centuries, treasure hunters hunted down possible clues in order to uncover this treasure. From the famed Oak Island in Canada to Rennes-le-Château in France, believers dug and sought frantically, never finding a single coin.
The Templars have also been implicated in alternative histories, such as theories linking them to the discovery of the Americas or the preservation of advanced ancient technologies. These ideas, while captivating, often lack credible historical grounding and are promptly dismissed. Ultimately, they simply reflect a broader fascination with “hidden” histories and powerful medieval organizations. But what if the explanation to everything is much simpler?
Representation of a Templar (Duinenabdij, Koksijde, Belgium) (JoJan/CC BY 3.0)
The Never-ending Struggle for Power
What if the story of the Knights Templar had a much simpler explanation, without any pomp or without the larger-than-life conspiracies? Could we reflect on the known historical facts to study their disappearance?
For one, we all know that the Catholic Church’s love of wealth and power is immeasurable. One can quickly understand how the Knights Templar became a thorn in the side of many prominent Catholic nobles. They accumulated vast wealth, lent money to many powerful figures, and held them in their grasp if they couldn’t return the debts. The math is simple. The Pope had no love to spare for the Templars and was quick to ally with Philip of France to have them exterminated once and for all. After all, it was the tried and tested recipe of the Catholic Church: when someone threatens the Catholic influx of money, you have them accused of heresy and burnt at the stake. One quick inquisition, and no more Templars, no more competition, and a lot more money in the coffers. Simple as that.
Top image: Knights Templar at the Battle of Hattin. Source: Public Domain
References
Addison, C. 2016. The History of the Knights Templar. Lulu.com.
Ralls, K. 2007. Knights Templar Encyclopedia: The Essential Guide to the People, Places, Events, and Symbols of the Order of the Temple. Red Wheel/Weiser.
Robinson, J. J. 1992. Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades. M. Evans.
