Who were the Templars? Simply put, the Templars were a Christian (more specifically, Catholic) military order founded in 1119. At first, the Templars were a small devout group of Christian knights dedicated to protect civilians on religious pilgrimages and to preserve Christian territory. The organization was founded by a French knight named Hugues de Payens. In the several decades to come, the Templars would gain incredible influence and wealth. However their growing power also proved to be their incredible downfall.
Hugues de Payens gained support from the Catholic Church and the king of Jerusalem, Baldwin II. Baldwin II gave Paynes and his small group of knights the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem to use as their headquarters. The Templars also gained the endorsement of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, an influential Burgundian abbot, which helped the Templars spread their popularity. Pretty soon, the different kingdoms and nobles of medieval Europe began appealing to the Templars. Their power grew through donations, which they responded to by protecting travelers on their pilgrimages and small Christian provinces.
The Templars were recognized through the symbol of the red cross on a white field, draped across their armor as a cloak. They were extremely devout Christians and had to follow a strict set of rules on chivalry, chastity, loyalty, and other important duties and virtues. The Templars were not allowed to flee a battlefield, as they devoted their life to their service. They emphasized being humble, as fashionable clothing and accessories were strictly banned. Their seal was two knights sharing one horse, a sign of poverty.
Overtime, their duties evolved from merely protecting pilgrims to defending the Holy Land for Crusader states. Due to their popularity and high demand in medieval Christendom, the Templars soon grew wealthy and influential, contrary to their principles of modesty. Kings and nobles all over western Europe paid the Templars for their needs. Their wealth eventually led them into a complex network of banking, where they engaged with the finances of different kingdoms and funded their own expeditions.
Despite their power and prestige, the military order began to decline in the 12th century. The Battle of the Horns of Hattin in 1187 marked a turning point in the Crusades in the favor of the Muslims, and was a disaster for the Templars, who were annihilated by Saladin’s army. The Siege of Acre in 1291 drove the Templars out of Jerusalem, and they had to relocate to Cyprus. The Templars, along with other Christian military orders, tried to march on the Holy Land one more time, but were driven back, and soon lost their last foothold in Jerusalem.
On Friday the 13th 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of many French Templars, and accused them of heresy, corruption, and other serious charges. Templars were tortured and interrogated, which caused many to confess to crimes they might not have taken part in. Pope Clement V tried to intervene and perform fair trials, but it was in vain. Scores of Templars were burned in Paris after admitting to the crimes charged against them. Over time the charges and accusations grew more and more outrageous. Motivations behind the sudden suppression against the Templars are continually being explored. We know however, that by the end of the 13th century, Philip IV was in a lot of debt to the Templars. This just shows how a powerful organization can eventually meet their downfall from jealous enemies.
Cover photo from history.com
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