Knights Templar
Medieval monastic warriors
The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian military order founded around 1119 to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
They became enormously wealthy and powerful across Europe before their dramatic suppression in the early 1300s, when members were arrested, tortured, and executed on charges of heresy.
Their mysterious downfall has made them a fixture in conspiracy theories and popular fiction, often portrayed as guardians of secret treasures or hidden religious knowledge.
Sacred ground, three faiths
- JerusalemTriply sacred ancient capital
- CrusadesMedieval wars for Jerusalem
- OutremerCrusader states collectively
- SaladinTwelfth-century sultan, Jerusalem's captor
Teutonic Knights · pilgrims · siege · Acre · Richard the Lionheart · Saracens · Levant · Byzantium
Practice of hiding information
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- occultConcealed from view
- esotericAccessible to few
- BaphometGoat-headed occult symbol
Holy Grail · Ark of the Covenant · symbology · hidden · clandestine · legends · rituals · Friday the 13th
Highest ceremonial rank holder
- papal bullSealed pontifical decree
- monasticismCloistered religious living
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- chapter houseAssembly room for clergy
commandery · red cross · seal · hierarchy · initiation · Bernard of Clairvaux · sergeants · chaplains
Courage in danger
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- swordsmanshipSkill with bladed weapons
cavalry · warhorses · chainmail · heraldry · prowess · squires · combat · lances
Judicial examination of claims
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- confessionsActs of revealing guilt
- burningCombustion in progress
dissolution · excommunication · inquisition · arrest · imprisonment · accusations · idolatry · apostasy
Abundance of valuable resources
- treasuryStored organizational funds
- letters of creditBank-issued payment guarantees
- moneylendingLoaning funds for interest
- usuryExtortionate money lending
loans · deposits · debtors · creditors · promissory notes · interest · assets · estates
Holy Land
Sacred ground, three faiths
- JerusalemTriply sacred ancient capital
- CrusadesMedieval wars for Jerusalem
- OutremerCrusader states collectively
Saladin · Teutonic Knights · pilgrims · siege · Acre · Richard the Lionheart · Saracens · Levant · Byzantium · Baldwin
secrecy
Practice of hiding information
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- occultConcealed from view
- esotericAccessible to few
Baphomet · Holy Grail · Ark of the Covenant · symbology · hidden · clandestine · legends · rituals · Friday the 13th · curse
Grand Master
Highest ceremonial rank holder
- papal bullSealed pontifical decree
- monasticismCloistered religious living
- vowsSolemn binding promises
chapter house · commandery · red cross · seal · hierarchy · initiation · Bernard of Clairvaux · sergeants · chaplains · poverty
valor
Courage in danger
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
swordsmanship · cavalry · warhorses · chainmail · heraldry · prowess · squires · combat · lances · shields
trial
Judicial examination of claims
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- confessionsActs of revealing guilt
burning · dissolution · excommunication · inquisition · arrest · imprisonment · accusations · idolatry · apostasy · suppression
wealth
Abundance of valuable resources
- treasuryStored organizational funds
- letters of creditBank-issued payment guarantees
- moneylendingLoaning funds for interest
usury · loans · deposits · debtors · creditors · promissory notes · interest · assets · estates · land grants
- Historical GroupsFreemasons, Illuminati, Jesuits, Bolsheviks, Jacobins
- chivalryknights, chivalry, medieval knights, honor, courtly love
- medievalknights, castles, cathedral, kings, queens
- Middle AgesMiddle Ages, medieval period, castles, knights, Dark Ages
- knighthoodknights, knights errant, accolade, dubbing, dames
- medieval knightsknights, armor, sword, swords, shield
Knights Templarmercenaries
Soldiers paid to fight
sellswords · soldiers of fortune · private military contractors
Knights TemplarSaladin
Twelfth-century sultan, Jerusalem's captor
Knights TemplarKnights Hospitaller
Crusading order from Jerusalem
Teutonic Knights · Franciscans · Dominicans · Jesuits · Knights of Malta