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Purveyors of Rare Historic Images to the Publishing Trade The INSCRUTABLE TEMPLARS / FEAR, The FEROCIOUS CHARGE and SECRET KNOWLEDGE
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Guy de Lusignan and Saladin in Battle / Mathew Paris, c.1250
Medieval Ms / Acoma / Wikimedia
Legends in their own time, genuinely unusual and powerful, a great deal is known about the Knight’s Templar. But after more than nine centuries of historical scrutiny, the Templar are still a formidable mystery. There is good historical evidence that the Templars did engender fear of almost unique proportions among both adversaries and potential supporters.
The Knights Templar were Europe's first order of warrior monks, founded shortly after the First Crusade. Founded in 1119 by the Burgundian knight Hugues de Payens (Hugo de Paganis) and Godeffroi de St Omer, a knight from northern France. Their first mission was to protect pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem and they built a chain of forts to guard the pilgrimage route to Palestine. Baldwin II, who was ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, allowed the Knights Templar to set up headquarters on the southeastern side of the Temple Mount which is inside the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Baldwin II cedes Temple of Salomon to Hugues de Payns and
Gaudefroy de Saint-Homer in 1119 / Guillaume de Tyr, 13th century
"Histoire d'Outre-Mer" / PHGCOM / Wikimedia
This location had long been sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is reputed location of the Temple of Solomonof Solomon, which was destroyed in 70 Ad, and believed to be where the Ark of the Covenant was might have been hidden. It may also be the legendary Mt. Moria where Abraham journeyed believing that he had to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Dome of the Rock at the Al Aqsa Mosque was built by the 7th century Caliph Abd al-Malik to house the rock from which Muhammad ascended to heaven to receive Islamic prayers. The crusaders had made the Al Aqsa Mosque into the Temple of the Lord from which the Order of the Knights Templar take their name.
Templar fund raising was very successful and significant amounts of land and money accumulated. An early patron was the powerful, intellectual abbot and Cistercian monk, Bernard of Clairvaux whose support had been secured by 1127. He was a nephew of one of the original nine knights who founded the Order and a leading churchman. Bernard wrote a treatise that overcame the initial objection to killing in the name of Christ and the concept of warrior monks gained status and approval. Upon his death in the 1130s, the King of Aragón (Spain) left the Templars large tracts of land. New members had to take a vow of poverty and hand over all their material wealth to the Order. Nobles wishing to join a Crusade, but not sign on with the Knights Templar, could deposit their wealth with a Templar bank who would safeguard it and issue an encrypted Letter of Credit. At other Templar institutions, funds could be withdrawn against this LC. With this wealth came the need to learn banking, and Templar funds became available to the political powers of Europe. Europe's first order of warrior monks would eventually challenge the banking powers in Europe and come to be viewed as a threat to the sovereignty of France.
The Knights Templar were Europe's first order of warrior monks. Founded by the Burgundian knight Hugues de Payns (Hugo de Paganis) and Godeffroi de St Omer, a knight from northern France, the support of the powerful abbot of Clairvaux had been secured by 1127.
In 1128, the Council of Troyes sanctioned the Knights Templar. In 1139, the Pope, with Bernard of Clairvaux as advisor, issued a Papal Bull that formally declared the Templars were beholden to no authority but his own, owed no taxes and could freely cross any border. The much feared Templar knights were now free to move throughout Europe, After their persecution by Philip IV of France in the early 14th century, no one in Europe – Portugal and the Kingdom of Aragon excepted – would dare admit to membership in the Order of Knights Templar.
One of the best sources for revealing Templar military organization and tactics is the Régle du Templar, the Rule of the Templars whose oldest surviving copy is a mid 13th century compilation written in Old French. The Rule of the Templar Order contains a wealth of military information and it can be read as a military manual. The attention to detail, and organization of military affairs was exceptional. Absent are the usual references to classical (Roman) military manuals and strategy and there is little material for foot infantry. The La Régle du Temple is true to the French warrior class of its time and is devoted to the upper class world of mounted knights and cavalry.
Different ranks of knights and other mounted ranks are described in detail with their privileges, obligations, conduct on and off the battlefield. The number and care of horses that attend each rank are clarified, and there can be no doubt about the priority given to mounted warriors. Beyond their original mission to protect the pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem, the Templars were charged with retrieving and securing Jerusalem and the Holy Land for Christendom.
In retrospect, this mission was highly unrealistic, considering the relatively small number of knights in the Order. At most, the Templars could bring 3-400 knights to the battlefield where the size of the Muslim armies confronting them might number over 20,000.Factor in the brilliant leadership of Saladin whom the crusaders often confronted, and the odds on the battlefield frequently did not favor the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the crusaders. It seems that “into the valley of death rode the 600" is a phrase often applicable to the 12th century Christian armies on crusade in the Levant.
By c.1250 AD, only those whose father and grandfather were knights were eligible to be Templar knights. Only these brother knights could wear white robes, and only the sergeants could take on black or brown robes. Above the sergeant was the Turcopolier, who also commanded the Undermarshal who reported directly to the Marshall when the equipment of brother knights was added to his obligations. The Undermarshal also had to care for the ‘lesser gear’ which included horse harness, saddle padding and water buckets.
On the battlefield, the importance of the Templar banner cannot be underestimated. Amidst the chaos and horrendous noise of the melée where no one could hear anything with coherence, the banner could be used to direct the fighting and issue simple commands and strategy. The Standard Bearer of the Templars, known as the Confanonier, was also paymaster for the squires and responsible for their discipline and punishment. He led them with banner held high when squires were attending to communal work such as assigned daily chores and care of battlefield horses. The Confanonier with banner was always present amidst fighting on the battlefield.
Two Templar knights (cf poverty) on one horse Chronica Majora, Mathew Paris, c.1215
Medieval ms / Acoma / Wikimedia
The Régle du Templar has precise detailed procedures for every situation imaginable. Nothing is left to chance or spontaneity, on or off the battlefield. This discipline and superior strategic intelligence formed the Templars into genuine superior force.
As a small elite force, the Templars joined larger armies and then took on the most difficult missions. Templar knights trained long and hard but the majority of Templars did not fight. For most brothers, the mission was to fund and equip the small numbers of elite mounted knights. Horses were also trained to kick and bite enemy horses in combat. Templar knights believed death in battle was a glorious martyrdom. Their code forbade retreat unless outnumbered 3:1 and ordered to retreat by their commander; or if the Templar flag went down on the battlefield. This code and much that is in the Régle du Templar that resembles the militant side of Islamic jihad.
The Templar cavalry set them apart from every other fighting force in Europe at this time. Knights were everywhere of course, but the Templar approach on the battlefield was unique in its concept and organization. Several specific prohibitions can be found elsewhere but not in the combination and execution described in the Régle du Templar, and as articulated on the battlefield.
First and foremost, every brother must obey those in rank above him. In peace and war, knights rode in squadrons led by a Confanonier with the banner held high who was guarded by ten knights. As battle approached, Templar knights took their positions in the line, their squires with lances and shields were before them. It was forbidden to break ranks, or charge without permission, or turn a horse’s head to the rear in order to fight or react to an alarm. Exceptions were allowed: a knight could ride a short distance to adjust saddle and harness; or rescue a Christian under attack. If this commandment against retreat was broken, the knight would be humiliated by being forced to walk.
Exceptionally well trained, and relentless in battle, the 'Ferocious Charge' of the Knights Templar was awesome and intimidating.
As the battle approached, the Confanonier arranged the squires into squadrons as they would charge after the knights who were led by the Marshall. The squires had their master’s spare horse. The knights initially rode to battle on palfreys or mules. The Turcopolier commanded the sergeants. Armored sergeants fought like brother knights but might leave the battlefield if they were fighting without armor and/or were at a severe disadvantage. Above all, the Ferocious Charge must delivered under the order of the Marshall who rode with a personal guard of ten knights under the leadership of a commander. If the Marshall were wounded or forced to retire, this commander would unfurl his rolled banner, rally the knights and take command.
With his body guard as close by as possible and other knights surrounding him, the Marshall charged. The ensuing melée quickly developed and casualties were usually light. Therefore, the Régle advised immediate and Ferocious pursuit. Reserves were to be close by so they could enter the fray as soon as needed, and/or provide a fresh attack if the first line must retire for rest and possibly new mounts. The sergeants were to hold back an enemy that has taken the advantage and/or follow upon an enemy that was in pursuit of Templar knights. The squires likewise must be immediate because they have fresh horses for their knights.
Once the charge has begun, no knight can leave his squadron for rest or to attend to his wounds, although he can send someone off the field with that request. If a knight could not return to his banner,, he was to go to one at the hospital or if that was not possible, any Christian banner visible on the battlefield. The importance of banners for communication and coherence amidst the melée cannot be underestimated. There was no other means of communication amidst the noise, dust and blood lust killing. Under no circumstances could a banner be lowered to strike at the enemy. If that were done, the offending brother would receive the severest punishment of all – banishment from the Order. The Crusader defeat at Gaza in 1244 illustrates what happened when the situation prevented the Templar knights from fighting according to the Rule. Squires and foot soldiers became mixed with knights, and a charge against the Turks was not possible. Templar losses were very heavy.
Templar training had developed precision techniques by which to achieve a horrifically intense “ferocious charge" of mounted knights. Rarely attempted by other knights of their time, this ‘ferocious charge’ often allowed them to take on a numerically superior enemy and is attested to in several contemporary histories. Relentless and admitting of no retreat, the ferocity engendered must have made the Templars appear to be undefeatable ‘gods’ with superhuman battle strength.
Templars represent the opposite polarity – mirror image – to berserkers because a premium was placed upon self control and superb discipline. The Templar ‘Ferocious Charge’ began in silence, as with strict discipline Templar knights began their advance. Self control and complete self confidence were on display. The berserker killing rage viewed self control as neither necessary nor valued. Beserkers would costume themselves in the skins and heads of their chosen animal spirit, often a bear or wolf, and then throw themselves upon the enemy in a fierce, blood thirsty frenzy. (The werewolf began as a beserker clothed in wolf skins and wearing wolf's head as a helmet.) Templar adherence to the strict Rule of the Order was an attempt to catalyze the manifestation of a superior, supremely disciplined warrior whose fighting stance derived from strict adherence to protocol and superior self control.
The sight of mounted, tightly organized and disciplined Templar knights charging an enemy that might be ten times their number, would be chilling. As Templar relentlessness became apparent during the early moments of the ‘Ferocious Charge’, fear takes the field. The price to be paid by the Templars was severe nonetheless. Often the death of a majority of Templar knights died in battle because they were often hopelessly outnumbered. Understood, feared and respected by the Muslim aristocracy and military leadership, the Templar knights charged and charged again through more than a century of the crusades.
Muslim tactics to defend against the Ferocious Charge went far beyond a reliance upon a vast superiority in numbers. Saladin came to realize that the Ferocious Charge required a target upon which to direct the action. Muslim cavalry were lightly armored when compared to the mounted knights in Europe. As with archers, they could group up to draw a Templar charge upon themselves, then quickly scatter. The charging knights might pass through the Muslim line, only to be trapped behind Muslim cavalry and infantry afterwards. Some Crusader armies employed both mounted and foot crossbowmen, in addition to archers, a combination that was effective. When Muslim tactics chose to form a compact group, such as defending a narrow entryway, they presented a target that would attract the usual crusader cavalry charge, or the Ferocious Charge of the Templars.
The Battle of Montisgard in 1177 is a fine example of successful Templar ferocity on a large battlefield. There are detailed records of the preliminaries to the fighting and of the battle itself. The small crusader army included several thousand infantry and only 475 knights, most of them Templars. Saladin now commanded a force of ~30,000 but they were spread out, disorganized and looting nearby villages on their way to Jerusalem as the Crusader army slowly approached.
Imagine the famous Saladin, a ruler of extraordinary character and intelligence, looking out upon a site that he had never seen previously nor could hardly imagine. When the Crusader army with Templar knights were sighted, they caused panic amidst the Muslim troops who struggled to form battle lines. The Christian army was barely 1/6 the size of the Ayyubid army. Although the concentration of Templar knights was one of the largest they would ever muster for battle, it was tiny compared to Saladin’s contingents of mounted warriors.
Discovery of leprosy in the future Baldwin IV William of Tyre's "Historia rerum in
partibus transmarinis gestarum", c.1250
Estoire d'Eracles / Andrew Dalby / Wikipedia
At the head of this Crusader army, which appeared to be superbly disciplined and barely made any noise, was the young King of Jerusalem. Baldwin IV, still a teenager at 16 years old and now dying of leprosy, was a young king of extraordinary character and strength, who was greatly loved by his army and people. With obvious courage although very weak, the leper king was on horse at the head of his army, his hands covered in bloody bandages. Attendant knights were at his side throughout the day and physically supported him when necessary. Baldwin IV lived longer than expected and died in 1185 at the age of 24 after a reign of 11 years.
Templars and the Leper King all in one afternoon, that would unsettle anyone, even the great Saladin. The army of the Kingdom of Jerusalem was led by three men. With King Baldwin IV, was the Lord of Oultrejordain, Raynald of Chatillon who was a ferocious and cruel man recently released from prison in Aleppo. The Templar leadership included Odo de St Amand, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Baldwin of Ibelin, his brother Balian, Reginald of Sidon, and Joscelin III of Edessa. A second Templar force that was to meet King Baldwin at Ascalon was besieged and stopped at Gaza.
St Helena finds the True Cross / N. Italy, 825 AD
Biblioteca Capitolare, Vercelli / Jdsteakley / Wikimedia
St. Helena was consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I. She has been traditionally assigned the discovery of the True Cross and nails of the crucifixion.
The Christian army grew silent. Baldwin IV prayed before a relic of the True Cross and then his army gave out a great shout. They charged cross the sands with the ferocious Templars in the lead. Everyone fought courageously and the Crusaders achieved a total victory. Baldwin's army had 1100 killed and 750 wounded. The legendary Saladin was surprised and almost captured by the Templars at Jerusalem. He barely escaped on a racing camel and his personal Mamluke body guards were killed. Saladin’s army was annihilated with the loss ~27,000 men, 90% of his original forces.
Baldwin IV in the Battle of Montisgard / classical painting c.1842
Artist / Charles-Philippe Larivière /Pitert / Wikipedia
This painting by Charles-Philippe Larivière dates to c.1842 and contain several inaccuracies. Baldwin IV rode into battle, he was not carried on a palanquin. His right arm had become useless but he could still wield a sword with his left arm.
The Battle of Montigisard showed the Templars at their fighting best. Sadly in other situations, they were distracted by pillage or the victim of serious strategic mistakes and poor leadership amidst battle. Overwhelming enemy numbers often proved impossible to defeat in spite of their 'Ferocious Charge'.
The warfare between Saladin, the Crusaders and Knights Templar now referenced the life of Jesus as it moved to the Sea of Galilee and the environs of Nazareth. In the decade since his defeat at Montisgard, Saladin had been hard at work and achieved a superior position. Appointed vizier of Egypt in 1169, he was soon ruling the country as Sultan. He imposed his rule over Damascus, extended it to Aleppo in 1176 and Mosul in Persia by 1183. The Kingdom of Jerusalem was surrounded by an Islam that was more dangerous than ever because it was now united by one ruler who had a superior mind for the strategies of war. Saladin the Great would return to the battlefield and not repeat the strategic mistakes of Montisgard.
The relatively small battle of Cresson near Nazareth was a prelude to the much grander scale of fighting that would occur at Hattin. On May 1, 1187 at the Springs of Cresson, a small mounted contingent from the Kingdom of Jerusalem face an Ayyubid army of 7,000. The crusader cavalry consisted of 80 Templars and 10 Knights Hospitaler including their Grand Masters; 40 royal knights and 300 mounted sergeants. Gerard de Ridefort and Roger de Moulins (Grand Master of the Hospitalers) were the commanders for Christendom.
Saladin’s son, Al-Afdal ibn Salah al-din led the Muslim forces who were seeking revenge for an attack on a Muslim caravan by Raynald of Chatillon. Raymond was hoping that Saladin would join him in an alliance against King Guy de Lusignan and allowed Saladin’s army to pass through Tiberias on April 30th. Saladin’s army movements in the area motivated Gerard de Ridefort to assemble this small mounted army that totaled about 140 knights. Some of the important Templar leadership were not present. Baldwin of Ibelin’s brother Balian had stopped at his fief of Nablus. Reginald de Sidon was elsewhere and not available.
Al-Afdal’s army feigned a retreat and apparently fooled Gerard. Against Roger’s advice, he ordered a charge by the mounted knights. The numerical disparity should have been self-evident, and almost all the mounted knights and foot soldiers were killed. Gerard, the Templar Grand Master survived as did two brother knights and two Templar squires at the rear of the fighting. Massacre is an understatement.
The Battle of Cresson is mentioned in several historical sources, accounts differ and they have never been reconciled. It is possible that Gerard did not charge but was taken by surprise by a Muslim cavalry charge. Raymond wracked with guilt, reconciled with Guy and their combined forces were now the majority of the crusader army. Nonetheless, Gerald and Raynald considered Raymond a traitor. Saladin set about organizing a much larger army to properly invade the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The next pivotal battle would be in the first week of July at Hattin with Tiberias as the prize.
SALADIN and the TEMPLARS at the BATTLE of HATTIN Back to Top
On July 3, 1187, the Battle of Hattin became a turning point in the Crusades and is wrongly described as a Templar defeat. It does reveal a great deal about the relationship between Islam and the Templars, that speaks to the second realm where Knights Templar may have engendered fear in Europe. Hattin has a complicated siting and great military and commercial significance. It is located on the northern slopes of the double hill known as “The Horns of Hattin” and overlooks the Plain of Hattin which opens onto the coastal lowlands of Lake Tiberius to the east. To the west, the Plains of Hattin are connected by mountain passes to the plains of lower Galilee.
These plains with numerous east-west passages served as routes for commercial caravans and military invasions, geographical parameters that remain important in the 21st century. Tiberias was/is ~8km (5m) northwest of Hattin. The village of Hattin may been built over the town of Siddim (Ziddim) (Joshua 19:35) which in the 3rd century B.C. acquired the Old Hebrew name of Kefar Hattin – “village of grain”. Hattin was known as Kfar Hittaya in the Roman period, when it also a pilgrimage destination for Sunni Muslims and Druze. These sects believed that a tomb in the village was that of the Old Testament Prophet Jethro. Hattin was a locus for rabbinical studies in the 4th century AD.
Gerard de Ridefort was once again the Marshall and in charge of strategy with Raynald de Chatillon. The crusader army was led by Guy of Lusignan (main army), Raymond III of Tripoli (vanguard), Gerard de Rideford, and Balian of Ibelin (rearguard). Saladin’s army was 30,000 strong with 10,000 cavalry. The Crusader army numbered 20,000 with 1200 knights within which an overbearing reliance would again be placed upon the Knights Templar. At times it seemed that all of Christendom believed that Templar ferocity alone would forever secure the Holy Land and Kingdom of Jerusalem. The most arrogant of the Templar leadership believed this as well.
Saladin believed that he could only defeat the crusaders in an open field battle, and his choice in the summer of 1187 AD was at, or near Tiberias. In spite of many Muslim victories, the crusaders always seemed to regroup and have an army ready to charge and fight again and again. Saladin respected his European foe for their tenacity and relentlessness. What luck for the Ayyubid army that Guy ordered the crusader army to confront Saladin at Tiberius, but then this was terrain that was well suited to the Templar Knight’s ‘Ferocious Charge’. As the crusaders left Sephoria on July 3, Guy led the main army ostensibly heading for Tiberius.
Muslim harassment began immediately and by noon the crusaders had made only 6 miles to the village of Tu'ran. Inexplicably, they did not stop at the springs to take on water for men and horses and Saladin considered this a grave tactical error. It seemed that Guy’s irrational hatred led him to throw out everything taught in the Régle and his deep battlefield experience as well. Or, perhaps not? Guy’s advance may have only been a probe. If Saladin attacked from their main camp, the crusader army could pin them against the north-south ridge east of Tur’ran. If the Muslim army stayed in camp, then the crusaders could return to Tu’ran for water and neutralize Saldin’s threat to the fortress at Tiberias.
Nonetheless, Guy’s decision was a major tactical error because he was not aware of the vast size of the Muslim army. Saladin had enough men to hold the ridge and also send contingents to Tu’ran where they took control of the spring. Furthermore, there were so many Muslim contigents that a large force could also directly confront the Crusader army and their Templar knights. The bottom line may be that an historical reconstruction of the water volume at Tu’ran at this time suggests there was not enough water for the men and horses in the crusader army. As neither Guy nor Saladin would know of this limitation, actions are understandable.
The Muslim’s increased their pressure as the two wings of Saladin’s army went around the Franks, seized the spring at Tu’ran and thereby blocked a crusader retreat. Continuous attacks forced the crusader army with Templars to halt and camp on the plateau without food or water, and without any possibility of resupply or reinforcements. Saladin set smoky fires that evening which blew into the crusader camp and made them miserable, and he also pelted them with arrows during the night. Guy advised that battle lines and an attack should be organized. Then five of Raymond’s knights defected and gave Saladin an accurate picture of conditions with the crusaders. Thirsty and demoralized the crusaders broke camp and moved towards the springs of Hattin. Two charges for the Sea of Galilee failed and most of the army had moved on to the Horns of Hattin.
Saladin deliberately waited until the heat was at its worst. Guy ordered tents to be pitched on higher ground. The Horns of Hattin provided some protection for crusader archers and a superior highest position. But without infantry protection, horses were killed by Muslim archers and mounted knights were forced to fight on foot. Three desperate attacks by the crusaders from the Horns of Hattin attempted to reach Saladin’s tent and the Muslim army on lower ground. They momentarily frightened Saladin but were beaten back. The Templars were no longer a factor, no longer the supreme weapon. Without horses there could be no ‘Ferocious Charge’ and Guy refused to send the Templar and Hospitaler knights any relief. Before long, Saladin allowed Raymond and Balian of Ibelin to escape. To look at the Battle of Hattin as a Templar defeat misses the mark entirely. Without horses, the Templars had been negated and removed from the battlefield as the superior fighting force. Finally the red tent of King Guy of Lusignan fell and Muslim victory was assured.
Reliquary Case for the True Cross / Byzantium, Meuse Valley, ca. 1160–1170
Medieval artisan / Jastrow / Wikimedia
The Muslims had captured not only the tent of a supreme enemy whom they feared and recognized, but they also captured the True Cross which the Bishop of Acre had carried in battle. Control of the True cross may have been the final blow, the factor that destroyed crusader morale more than anything else. The structure of the battle as it developed had negated an almost superhuman force that the Templars could represent. The list of prisoners captured by Saladin reads like a Who’s Who of Templar leadership. Perhaps 3,000 Christians survived to tell their tales.
At his tent, Saladin gave Guy a glass of iced water which Guy passed to Raynald. Saladin accused the 60 year old warrior of being an ‘oath breaker’ to which Raynald admitted by replying “ Kings have always acted thus.” Saladin then beheaded Raynald himself and Guy fell to the ground in terror. Saladin then bade him rise, saying “ True kings do not kill one another.” The True Cross was tied upside down to a lance and sent to Damascus.
Saladin beheads Renaud de Chatillon after Battle of Hattin, 1187 -
Guillaume de Tyr, “Historia” – 12th century
Manuscript Painting / Guillaume de Tyr / User Odejea / Wikimedia
Two days later a few of the captured Templars and Hospitallers accepted an offer to convert to Islam. A few of the others went off with some of the Muslim elite as slaves. In an extreme act of solidarity, many captured crusaders claimed to be Templar knights so that they would be beheaded as well. These decisions reveal the extreme awe in which the Templars were held by other crusader knights. Islamic mystics asked Saladin for permission to kill an infidel. Saladin would build the Dome of Victory at Hattin to commemorate the victory. A few remains could be still be identified in the 20th century and the last research dig at Hattin for the Dome of the Victory was in 1981.
Guy was taken to Damascus and eventually ransomed. Raymond of Tripoli escaped the battle and died of pleurisy later in the year. Saladin told Gerard that he would be freed if he could convince a Templar fortress in Gaza to surrender and this he did. Although in disgrace because he did not fight to the death, Gerard then went to Tortosa upon his release where he led the defense of this castle. He seized money sent by Henry II which was held in Tyre. A few months later in 1189, Gerard joined again with Guy at the successful Siege of Acre where he was killed in battle, possibly captured and beheaded. The Crusades has more than a century of life left in them. Saladin lost a most important fortress city, maritime port and the Egyptian fleet when Acre fell in 1191.
The Régle de Templar could not overcome arrogance and blind conceit. Within a year, Jerusalem had fallen and the French would withdraw their support of the crusades to retake Jerusalem. Even Richard the Lion Heart’s charisma could not turn the tide for Europe. By the mid 13th century, Templar losses in battle were often 90% in both men and horses. (Turkish bowmen were ordered to first shoot at Templar horses.) The financial costs were staggering but the Templars were for some time equal to that challenge. In both Europe and the Middle East, they owned vast tracts of land, castles, churches, farms, vineyards, a fleet of ships, and for a time the entire island of Cyprus.
In 1291, Templar Knights once again defended Acre, but this time were defeated and all Templar knights within the city walls died. The Holy Land was lost, 20,000 Templars had died in its defense.
Siege of Acre, 1291 / Hospitaler Master, Mathieu de Clermont defends the walls / D.Papety c.1840
Painting / PHGCOM / Wikimedia
The fortress city of Acre fell on May 18, 1291 after a six week siege, although the Templars held out in their quarter for another ten days (see map above). The remaining crusader cities in the Levant fell by mid-August, 1291. The Templars relocated to Cyprus and attempted to continue their military adventures from this island base. They acquired fleets, attacked Egypt and Syria but failed to establish themselves on the Island of Ruad in the Tortosa which they held only briefly. Recruits were everywhere, and individual motivation remained religious salvation but the Order was adrift. The world that demanded the 'Ferocious Charge' had disappeared, the Regle de Templar as a military manual had become irrelevant.
Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master took office in 1292 and toured Europe to garner support for the Knights Templar. Pope Boniface VIII granted the Templars the same privileges on Cyprus that they had in Holy Land. Edward I of England and Charles II of Naples were particularly sympathetic but the last Templar fortress in Antioch fell in 1299.
The Court of Philip IV / Gilles de Rome, Le Régime des princes – 15th century
Digital image file / Acoma / Wikimedia
Military defeats in the Holy Land aside, the Templars remained extremely powerful because of their pan-European banking system and the vast estates and tracts of land that they owned. The Templars fatal mistake proved to be refusing a loan request from the French King Philip IV for his war with England. The Pope thereupon refused Philip’s request to excommunicate the Templars and excommunicated Philip instead. Philip responded by accusing the Pope of heresy. Rescued by the people of Agni, the aged Bonifce VIII died from shock due to the physical ‘rough and tumble’. His successor died eight months after becoming Pope and may have been poisoned by Philip’s Agent. French and Italian cardinals appointed Bertrand de Both (Clement V), a childhood friend of Philip IV, the next Pope, and he agreed to investigate the Templars. Ironically, Philip IV was called "The Fair", not because he was just but because he considered handsome.
From Denmark to Spain, from Ireland to Cyprus, the Templars owned vast properties. They were the premier bankers and financiers to much of Europe.
There were other reasons for Philip IV to hate the Templars. As did the Teutonic Knights when they founded Prussia, the Templars wanted to set up their own state in either Languedoc (southern France) or on Cyprus. Philip had inherited land in the Champagne region where the Templar headquarters were located. In 1306, they supported a coup on Cyprus that forced Henry II to abdicate in favor of his brother Amalric of Tyre. Struggling to create a unified French state, Philip IV plotted the downfall of the Knights Templar with a reluctant Pope. On October 13 (Friday) 1306, Philip IV rounded up every Templar he could find in France, only a few escaped. This event is the origin of our superstition that Friday 13th is an ‘unlucky day’, perhaps a cursed day. While the terrible Inquisition as such was yet to be born, at this time the Vatican had a group of interrogators and clergy who were available throughout Europe to investigate charges of heresy. Drawing blood was not allowed, so suspects were tortured by any means that avoided leaving a visible wound.
Some Templars quickly admitted to the charges made against them believing that to be the first step in a well known formality that led to rich ransoms being paid for prestige prisoners and the knight then freed. Ordinary soldiers who confessed were given prison terms, then allowed to join other Orders. Sadly Philip IV had a relentlessness of his own and was ‘dead’ seriousness in his mission to destroy the Knights Templar. Tortured until they confessed to heresy, the French Templar leadership was later burnt at the stake. Over the next few years 138 Templars of whom many were elderly – were tortured and 105 ‘confessed’. 69 leaders of the Templars were burnt at the stake. The Templars did ask the Pope for help but all that he did in response was to send letters to King Philip. The Templars great wealth, failure to secure the Holy Land against repeated Muslim attacks - an unrealistic expectation given their small numbers - and a very complex, almost congenial relationship with Islam in spite of their battle ferocity, may have threatened the Pope who at times was weak and insecure.
Templars burned at the stake - Chronik, "Von der Schöpfung der Welt bis” 1384 – “Creation of the World until 1384"
Digital image file / Mattes / Wikipedia
Public opinion in Paris was decidedly against the Templars. Philip IV reacted ferociously by creating a situation wherein Pope Clement V would be forced to take a final decision during the Council of Vienna in 1312. The Pope issued a Bull on March 22, 1312 that abolished the Knights Templar although he did state that this action was not the condemnation of heresy. He then ordered a general arrest throughout Europe to 'find the truth'. Christian monarchs in Europe were ordered to arrest all Templars and seize their assets. Most kings did not believe the charges but the opportunity to take Templar wealth was a prize impossible to ignore. Proceedings were begun in England, Iberia, Germany, Italy and Cyprus. Likely not believing the charges he lodged at the 1308 Tours Assembly, the opportunity for Philip to free France from the debut owed the Templars (had immediate benefits and) was too great to ignore. France was going broke and Philip’s hold on the throne was weakening.
Pope Clement V rides away from the Mother Church
Digital image / renzodionigi / flikr
The female figure is a female saint, who in this picture represents the Mother Church. We have an odd symbolism in this image. Pope Clement V has turned his back on the Mother Church and is riding away from her. Was the artist a Templar, or Templar supporter, who believed that when the Pope refused to support the Templars who had fought ferociously for Christendom for almost two centuries in the crusades, the Holy Father had turned his back on the True Mother Church?
The last support from kings and nobles collapsed and the Order was dissolved in many countries. France remained particularly brutal in contrast to England where trials often found Templars not guilty. Did the Pope ‘sell out’ the Templars knowing full well they were innocent of heresy and the other charges lodged against them ? It appears that Pope Clement V could not stand up to the cold, hateful mania that Philip IV unleashed upon the Knights Templar. The Pope transferred a great deal of property outside of France to the Knights Hospitaller who also accepted many Templar knights into their membership. The Kingdom of Aragon in Spain that had been an early supporter of the Knights Templar, the Order of Montesa acquired Templar assets. In Portugal, the Order continued to exist and changed its name to the Order of Christ.
Templar execution - burned at the stake / medieval ms
Digital image file / Acoma / Wikimedia
The trial period of the Templars took 5 years with protests occurring throughout Europe. More than 5,000 arrests were made in France. Templar lands and accounts were seized, but many were very skeptical, convinced there was only a mercenary motive for the persecution. After all, the French crown was in a financial crisis, owed money to the Templars and it was Philip's duty to purify the realm. Philip IV only informed the Pope very late in the plot, The Pope abolished the Order of the Knights Templar in 1312 and then ordered a general arrest throughout Europe to 'find the truth'. Thirty eight, mostly elderly Templars were tortured, 105 ‘confessed’ and 69 leaders of the Templars were burnt at the stake. Beyond France, Templars were arrested in England, Sicily, and Cyprus after successful sieges in Aragon and Castille. Ordinary soldiers who confessed were given prison terms, then allowed to join other Orders and the Knights Templar as such had ceased to exist. Outside France, The Templars were often treated with kindness and leniency. In spite of their arrests in Aragon and Castille, the strongest Templar support was in Iberia.
Jacques de Molay and Geoffrey de Charney burned at the stake, March 18, 1314 Chronicle of France or St. Denis – 14th century
Digital image file / Darsie / Wikipedia
In 1314, Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Templars was convicted as a relapsed heretic, cursed the king and Pope and challenged them to appear before God before the year’s end. The Grand Master was burned along with Geoffrey de Charney as de Molay on the evening of March 18, 1314 on the Isle des Juifs. Within 7 months, Philip IV fell from a horse and died, the Pope himself lived only one months afterwards. The legend of Templar magical powers were strengthened and renewed and still exists in out times.
Seal of Phlip IV / 13th century
Digital image file / Acoma / Wikimedia
Scandal had enveloped the Templars and seriously damaged their reputation and integrity. Further delay would have given the Templars opportunity to “squander” the great wealth lavished upon them by the Church. Aside from belief in and continued support of the Templars and their cause, the kings of Europe awaited the seizure of Templar with mixed emotions. Templar lands and accounts were seized, but many were very skeptical, convinced there was only a mercenary motive for the persecution. Philip IV only informed the Pope very late in the plot. Perhaps the bottom line was that the French crown was in a financial crisis, owed money to the Templars and it was Philip's duty to purify his realm. Then again … ?
Phillip IV, King of France, was successful. Trials were held, mostly in France, and the last two Grand Masters were burned alive in 1314. The Knights Templar appeared to be destroyed, but did they survive elsewhere?
There are questions – mysteries yet to be solved – about this period of severe persecution against the Knights Templar, particularly in France. The are noticeable contradictions in the actions of Philip IV although most history focuses on his demonstrated ‘hatred’ for the Templars. Ironically, he had signed an alliance against the Pope with the Templars in 1303. And the day before that fateful Friday 13th, Philip has asked Grand Master Jacques de Molay to be a pall-bearer at the funeral of the King's sister. Why did he turn against them with extreme anger and violence? Or were these actions of Philip only subtle maneuvering intended to keep the Knights Templar off guard? Was the Templar persecution by Phlip IV really just about a debt owed by the throne and cold hearted banking, or was there something else the French king felt must be destroyed ?
Ironically, Pope Clement V absolved the Knights Templar in 1308 by official decree as attested to in the rediscovered Chinon Parchment. The Act of Chinon Parchment records the absolution given to Jacques de Molay and other heads of the Knights Templar after they had repented and asked to be forgiven by the Church. The leading members of the Order were reinstated in Catholic Communion and re-admitted to receive the sacraments. The Act of Chinon represents Pope Clement V’s belief that he could guarantee the survival of the Knights Templar, although he had planned a radical reform that would include merger into one body with the Knights Hospitaller.
The Chinon parchment was not circulated, and we have to assume that this decree was unknown to European kings at this time. The Templar persecution went forward and we are left with a large question. The Chinon Parchment remained hidden in the Vatican Secret Archives until rediscovered by scholar Barbara Frale in 2002. Note that ‘secret’ applied to these archives does not have the usual meaning. ‘Secret archives’ at the Vatican only indicates that this library is that of the Pope and not a department of the Roman Curia. Why did Pope Clement the V absolve the Order of heresy in an official decree, then ensure that decree would be hidden away so deeply that the Chinon Parchment was only discovered a few years ago?
Phillip IV relentlessly built up the case against the Templars, who were unable to adequately defend themselves.
QUESTION 3 - HERESY and SECRET KNOWLEDGE / WHAT Was BAPHOMET? Back to Top
Charges of Heresy included the usual list: worshiping an idol, spitting, trampling, or urinating on the cross;, while naked being kissed obscenely by the receptor on the lips, navel and base of the spinel; eating ashes of the dead, and impregnating virgins were some of the charges brought against the Templars by the King of France and the Pope. This is ‘same-old, same-old’, the Vatican’s shopping list of charges that were always lodged against ‘heretics’.
Baphomet / stone sculpture, Convento de Cristo, Tomar Portugal – 16th century
Relief sculpture / Mattes / Wikimedia
However in the Templar case, there is an interesting addition to the list of heresies. One charge stands out for it uniqueness worship of a ‘magical’ head - although there is no 'hard evidence that the Templars did so. Sometimes called ‘Baphomet’, some believed the image was a Muslim idol, possibly representing Muhammed. This head has numerous descriptions and it is not possible to decide what it looked like. Take your pick: a mystical head with three faces, head with four feet, a face with no feet and/or horns, or skull encrusted with jewels. Any of these could be the revered relic of a former grand master, John the Baptist, Euphemia, one of Ursula’s eleven maidens or Hugues de Payens.
If the Templars had found the Dead Sea Scrolls, as some believe, and had learned secretive rituals and esoteric knowledge possessed only by the Essenes, and/or some had converted to Sufi Islam, then we have an inner circle of Templars who were very knowledgeable about transcendental mystical truths. That is knowledge that engenders fear, if a sense of it leaks into the world-at-large which forever persecutes transcendental, tolerant, knowledgeable religiosity.
Templars Playing Chess / "Livre des Echecs” by Alphonse le Sage (Alfonso X), 1283
Medieval ms painting / PHGCOM / Wikimedia
Many Templars did survive accusations of heresy and persecution by Philip IV. A tiny minority of the Knights Templar were burned at the stake. Unfortunately, this small figure included the Order’s leadership in France. Overall, there is no controversy about Templar survival. Outside France, trials were much less frequent and often led to a verdict of ‘not guilty’ or sentence with mild conditions such as a demand to enroll in another military order. Also outside the borders of France, the Pope transferred a great deal of Templar property to the Knights Hospitaller who accepted many Templar knights into their membership. The Kingdom of Aragon had been an early supporter of the Knights Templar and, together with the Order of Montesa, acquired Templar assets. In Portugal, the Knights Templar had established themselves in 1128 and long enjoyed the support and friendship of the royal family. They would continue for a long time in Portugal where the name of the Order was changed to the Order of Christ. In the two centuries to follow, the Order of Christ in Portugal had an extraordinary influence upon Portugal and the world.
The next expansion of this article will look at Templar survival and transformation in Portugal and Spain. Members of the royal family joined the Order of Christ in Portugal as did Prince Henry the Navigator, and Vasco da Gama. Portugal and the Order of Christ catalyzed the Age of Discovery for Europe and thereby changed the world forever.
