Templars

The Templars are officially known as the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon. The Templars have captured the imagination of people and possess a strong mysterious character. They are associated with secrets, power, wealth, and religious fanaticism. In this blog post, we delve deeper into the world of the Templars to unravel some of the myths and discover the historical facts.

The rise of the Templars took place at the beginning of the 12th century. The order was established after the First Crusade, with the aim of protecting pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The Templars combined the life of monks with that of warriors, and they pledged poverty, chastity, and obedience. They quickly gained recognition and support from both the church and European monarchs.

The Templars were a knightly order composed of men from various backgrounds. To join the order, candidates had to meet certain criteria. Initially, the order focused mainly on French nobles and knights, but later expanded their recruitment to other European countries.

Most Templars came from noble and wealthy families. Young men from these social classes were often sent to the order due to family connections, to increase their wealth, or to pursue a knightly career. Moreover, the Templars were known for their strict selection process, accepting only those considered the best and most suitable candidates.

In addition to noble lineage, other qualifications were considered. Skills in martial arts, military experience, and dedication to Christianity were important factors in selecting new members. However, it was not mandatory to be of noble birth to become a Templar.

There were also non-knightly members within the order, known as sergeants. They were dressed in the black and wore a red templars emblem. These were usually of humble origin and contributed to the daily functioning of the order.

The sergeants served in the army of the Templars and had various military roles. They were responsible for protecting the possessions of the order, such as castles, estates, and pilgrimage routes. They functioned as a kind of garrison and were tasked with defending strategic locations.

Although the sergeants did not participate in knightly activities such as mounted combat, they still performed important tasks on the battlefield. They were involved in the infantry and engaged in combat on foot. They were trained in the use of various weapons, such as swords, axes, and shields. Additionally, they were skilled in building fortifications and executing attack tactics.

The sergeants were also responsible for the logistical and administrative aspects of the Templars. They managed the properties and finances of the order, and oversaw the daily operations of the estates and other possessions. They maintained the weapons, equipment, and horses, ensuring that the Templars were well-prepared for military campaigns.

Although the sergeants had a lower status than the knightly members, they still enjoyed some degree of privileges and were considered full members of the order. They wore the characteristic white cross of the Templars on their clothing to symbolize their membership.

The Turkopoles were a specific group of warriors who served in the army of the Templars. They were primarily from the east, particularly from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and other neighboring regionss, and were converted to Christianity.

The Turkopoles played an important role within the Templars due to their knowledge of the local language, culture, and combat techniques. They were well acquainted with the geography and the tactics used by the opponents of the Templars in the east, such as the Seljuks and other Islamic armies.

The main task of the Turkopoles was to serve as a cavalry unit in the ranks of the Templars. They were highly skilled in horseback riding and wielded various weapons, including swords, lances, and bows. Their mobility and skill on horseback made them effective mounted warriors in battles.

As experts in eastern combat techniques, the Turkopoles brought valuable knowledge and experience to the army of the Templars. They could apply strategies and tactics specific to eastern warfare, such as ambushes, guerrilla warfare, and rapid cavalry attacks. They were also skilled mounted archers.

Moreover, the Turkopoles functioned as scouts and spies for the Templars. They were able to gather valuable information about enemy positions, plans, and movements, which was crucial for planning military operations and making strategic decisions.

Turkopoles were not members of the order. They were not incorporated into the ranks of the knightly brotherhood but worked as mercenaries or allies of the Templars.

The presence of the Turkopoles in the ranks of the Templars emphasized the international nature of the order and their ability to collaborate with warriors from different cultures and regions. It also testifies to the tactical insight of the Templars to leverage local expertise and skills to their advantage during military campaigns.

In peacetime, Templars were recognizable by their white cloak on which the Red Templar cross was embroidered. knights templar typically wore white, while Temple sergeants wore black clothing. The clothing that templars wore was generally not much different from the clothing worn by other nobles and knights in the 12th-13th century, except for their colour and emblem. Templars wore chausses, brailes, tunic, undertunic, and chaperon.

The Templars had strict rules regarding luxury. Luxuries such as extra luxurious clothing, embroidery, jewelry, and other elements in which the nobility usually dressed were forbidden for the Templars. Wearing fur was also prohibited within the knightly order. Hunting, a popular noble pastime, was also forbidden for the Templars unless it involved hunting lions to protect pilgrims. 

The armor of Templars did not differ much from that of other Medieval Knights. The main difference lay in combat technique and ethics. Capturing enemy leaders, plundering land, and acquiring power were important reasons for the Medieval knightly class to wage war. They earned extra money from this. Templars could not own property, so they were not susceptible to this. The result was that Templars focused more on military tactics. 

Over the clothing, the Templar wore a gambeson. Gambesons absorb impacts (protect against internal bleeding). Some medieval sources mention that gambesons even provided protection against arrows and blows from enemy weapons. 

was worn over the gambeson. The gambeson protected against impacts, and the chainmail shirt ensured that arrows and weapons could not cut through anything. Mail coats are made of metal rings woven together in a 1:4 construction (one ring closes four others) and are then riveted. 

in the early years, Templars wore a nasal helmet. Later, this changed to the calotte (bucket helmet) and later still to the great helm.

Over the chainmail shirt, a surcoat was worn. Surcoats indicated to which knightly order or noble house you belonged. Surcoats provided protection against the heat and were adopted by the Normans from the Saracens during the first crusades. Like normal knights, templars were equipped with the sword, shield, and the lance and fought on horseback. The impact of a Templar charging at the enemy at full gallop was enormous. Knights could thus break through enemy lines. 

The Templars participated in numerous military campaigns and actions. Daily, they guarded the passageways to secure pilgrims. Here is an overview of the most prominent military conflicts in which the templars participated.

The Templars fought in this significant battle during the Crusades. Despite being outnumbered, they achieved a victory over the much larger army of Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria.

This battle is considered a turning point in the Crusades. Despite valiant efforts by the Templars and other knightly orders, the Christian armies were defeated by Saladin, leading to the fall of Jerusalem.

The Siege of Acre was a major battle during the final phase of the Crusades. The Templars played a prominent role in the defense of the city, but ultimately Acre fell into the hands of the Muslim armies.

During the First Crusade, the Order of the Templars was involved in the siege and eventual capture of the city of Antioch.

The Templars fought alongside King Baldwin III of Jerusalem in the battle against the Muslim armies around Ascalon.

The Templars participated in the siege of the city of Sidon during the Crusades. The siege ultimately resulted in the recapture of the city from the Muslims.

The Templars played a significant role in this battle, where they fought alongside other crusader armies against Saladin's forces.

After the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Muslims, the Templars were involved in the campaigns to drive back the Muslims and establish the Christian kingdom of Portugal.

The Templars participated in the Reconquista, the prolonged struggle of the Christian kingdoms in Spain to reconquer the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims. They were involved in various battles and defensive operations.

Besides their military activities, the Templars were also known as bankers and custodians of valuable goods. This aspect of their work made them an influential financial institution during the Middle Ages.

As a result of the growing power and wealth of the Templars, there was a high demand for financial services. People began to trust the order with their money and valuable possessions, and the Templars quickly developed into a reliable institution for safeguarding assets and conducting financial transactions.

The Templars had branches in various parts of Europe and the Middle East, providing them with an extensive network of affiliates and contacts. Traveling merchants, pilgrims, and nobles could deposit their valuables and money with the Templars and receive a receipt in return. This allowed them to travel safely through unfamiliar territories without the risk of losing their wealth.

Additionally, the Templars acted as moneylenders and providers of loans to nobles, kings, and even popes. They issued loans with interest and dealt in various currencies. This made them a significant player in the financial world of that time. Their international presence and network allowed them to easily facilitate financial transactions between different regionss.

What distinguished the Templars from other bankers was their reputation for reliability and security. They had a strict internal organization and were bound by stringent rules and regulations. This inspired confidence in those who entrusted their wealth to them.

The Templars had secure storage facilities, such as their famous castles and commanderies, where they stored valuables, documents, and other precious goods.

The power and wealth of the Templars also attracted attention and jealousy. In the early 14th century, rumors and accusations against the order began to circulate. They were accused of heresy, immoral behavior, and pagan practices. In 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of all Templars in his realm. The knights were imprisoned, tortured, and forced to make false confessions.

The fall of the Templars was dramatic and violent. In 1314, the last Grand Master of the order, Jacques de Molay, and his companion Geoffroi de Charney were burned at the stake on charges of heresy. With their death, the powerful knightly order came to an abrupt end.

The exact number of templars executed during the persecutions is not fully documented. During the arrests and trials against the Templars in the 14th century, many were tortured and forced to confess to heresy and other charges. Many died as a result of these tortures, while others were sentenced to death.

The total number of Templars that existed at that time varies in estimates. At the height of their power and influence, it is estimated that there were between 15,000 and 20,000 Templars. These estimates are not accurate and can vary depending on the source.

During the wave of arrests in 1307, many Templars were captured and subjected to torture and trial. Many died during these proceedings.

Although no exact figures are available, we can conclude that a significant number of Templars lost their lives during the persecutions.

Philip the Fair, King of France, had various motives to have the Templars condemned. Although there is debate about the specific motivations, the following factors are often mentioned:

The Templars were a powerful and wealthy order. Philip the Fair found himself in a financially precarious situation due to wars and debts. He saw the wealth of the Templars as a way to fill his treasury. By persecuting the Templars, he could confiscate their properties and seize their financial resources.

There was a prolonged power struggle between the French king and the pope. The Templars were under the direct authority of the pope and were exempt from royal jurisdiction. Philip the Fair saw the persecution of the Templars as an opportunity to undermine papal power and strengthen his own authority.

Various accusations were made against the Templars, including heresy, homosexuality, and obscene rituals. Although there was little evidence for these accusations, they were used to turn public opinion against the order and create support for their condemnation.

It is claimed that Philip the Fair had a personal vendetta against the grandmaster of the Templars, Jacques de Molay. Some historians suggest that the king wanted to take revenge on De Molay for an alleged insult.

After the dissolution of the Templars in 1312, some former Templars were integrated into other knightly orders. The main knightly order in which they continued was the Order of Christ (Ordem de Cristo) in Portugal. King Dinis of Portugal incorporated the Templars into his new order, which was originally intended to support Portugal's maritime explorations. The Order of Christ inherited the possessions, wealth, and traditions of the Templars and played a crucial role in the Portuguese discoveries during the Age of Exploration.

Additionally, some Templars were incorporated into other knighthoods and knightly orders, such as the Knights Hospitaller (Order of Malta), the Order of Calatrava, the Order of Montesa, and the Order of Santiago. In these new orders and knighthoods, former Templars continued their military and religious duties, albeit under a different name and structure.

Although it is tempting to believe in these myths, it is important to distinguish historical facts from fantasy. Modern historians have conducted extensive research on the Templars and have discovered that many of the accusations against them were politically motivated. They were victims of a power struggle between monarchs and the church, who wanted to control their wealth and influence.