What was the nationality of the Knights Templar?
French
Around 1118, a French knight named Hugues de Payens created a military order along with eight relatives and acquaintances, calling it the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon—later known simply as the Knights Templar.
Did the Knights Templar come to England?
History. King Henry II (1154–1189) granted the Templars land across England, including some territory by Castle Baynard on the River Fleet, where they built a round church, patterned after the Knights Templar headquarters on Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Where did the Knights Templar flee to?
It is widely accepted that some of the Templars fled to Scotland. The Order had holdings in both England and Scotland. However, the former had avoided intervening when King Philip IV was decimating the Templars. They had even participated in some of the arrests themselves.
How did the Knights Templar become the first standing army?
The Knights Templar would provide the solution by becoming the first international standing army. The opportunity came in 1118-19, when an idealistic band of knights led by Hugues de Payens offered their services to protect pilgrims en route to the Holy Places.
Do the Knights Templar still exist?
While most historians agree that the Knights Templar fully disbanded 700 years ago, there are some people who believe the order went underground and remains in existence in some form to this day. In the 18th century, some groups, most notably the Freemasons, revived several of the medieval knights’ symbols, rituals and traditions.
How did the Knights Templar get involved in banking?
The Knights’ involvement in banking grew over time into a new basis for money, as Templars became increasingly involved in banking activities. One indication of their powerful political connections is that the Templars’ involvement in usury did not lead to more controversy within the Order and the church at large.
What did the Knights Templar do in 1139?
In 1139, Pope Innocent II issued a Papal Bull that allowed the Knights Templar special rights. Among them, the Templars were exempt from paying taxes, permitted to build their own oratories and were held to no one’s authority except the Pope’s. The Knights Templar set up a prosperous network of banks and gained enormous financial influence.