Who are the Knights Templar?

The Order were founded as a direct consequence of Pope Urban II’s assault on Jerusalem during the First Crusade(1096). As founding fathers of the Order, Hughes de Paynes, Geoffroy de St Omer and seven other French knights committed themselves to monastic vows which were known at “The Poor Knights of Christ”. Their initial role was to protect the many European pilgrims who traveled to the Holy City following its conquest and after their official endorsement by the Roman Catholic Church in 1129, saw their membership and status rise throughout Europe. The Order gallantly defended the Holy Land and as testament to their growing reputation and notoriety, the French King of Jerusalem, King Baldwin II installed the Order within his Palace, on the site of Solomon’s Temple and it is from here that the name “Knight’s Templar” originates. After over a century of laying their lives on the line in the name of Christianity and civilisation, the Order became very profitable and influential within medieval society. Yet this ultimately elicited the envy and greed of others who would ultimately change the face of the Order forever. The main protagonist was King Phillipe of France who, through a process of victimisation and Papal interference, managed to secure the Bull which suppressed the Order in 1312 causing them to return to their original status of a Secular Military Order of Chivalry. Yet the Knight’s Templar did not fade into the abyss of history and in the aftermath of the French Revolution (over six hundred years after being originally founded), experienced a marked expansion with over many Priories being set up, most notably in Great Britain, Switzerland and Germany. Today, the Knights Templar of Britannia remain an Order based firmly on honour and friendship. Much of the chivalrous ideals developed within Medieval society form the basis of the philosophy today. Indeed of the 680 rules which members follow the vast majority have their foundations in the twelfth century. Yet all Templars live by one fundamental code – to “do the right thing”. Although membership is based on hierarchical principles, each and every member is regarded as important and honourable as the Grand Master. You are however required to petition the Grand Master for titled membership and gain acceptance before you can purchase titled membership regalia.

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Robert Trafford is the author of this article on Knights Templar of Britannia. Find more information about Knights Templarhere.

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