Who were the Knights Templar?

Christian warrior monks disbanded almost a millennium ago.

What led to the disbandment of the Knights Templar?

Accusations of heresies by King Philip IV of France.

Engaging in real estate, manufacturing, and international banking.

Endures through structures like London's Temple district, churches, and castles.

Evolved into elite shock troops with vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

The Knights Templar, originating in 1119 AD, were a powerful order of Christian warrior monks led by Hugues de Payens, dedicated to protecting pilgrims in the Holy Land and quickly gaining prestige, wealth, and influence.
Despite disbanding nearly a thousand years ago, the Knights Templar's legacy persists in history, with their true story proving as intriguing as the conspiracy theories surrounding them, showcasing their significant impact on medieval Europe and the Middle East.

Who were the Knights Templar?
Christian warrior monks disbanded almost a millennium ago.
What led to the disbandment of the Knights Templar?
Accusations of heresies by King Philip IV of France.
How did the Knights Templar amass wealth?
Engaging in real estate, manufacturing, and international banking.
What is the legacy of the Knights Templar?
Endures through structures like London's Temple district, churches, and castles.
How did the Knights Templar evolve during the crusades?
Evolved into elite shock troops with vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

00:00

The Knights Templar, a secretive order of Christian warrior monks, disbanded almost a millennium ago, remain prominent in popular culture.
Rumors suggest the Knights Templar still influence society covertly, entwined in myths from the holy grail to the freemasons' founding.
Despite numerous conspiracy theories, the true story of the Knights Templar is as captivating as the fabricated ones.
Originating in 1119 AD, the Knights Templar formed to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land, led by French knight Hugues de Payens.
Initially named 'The Poor Knights of the Temple of King Solomon,' the order later shortened its name to the famous Knights Templar.
The Knights Templar's reputation grew rapidly, attracting donations, land, and noble recruits, becoming a favored charity even by the Pope.
The Templars, exempt from taxes and answerable only to the Pope, expanded to 20,000 members across Europe and the Middle East.
The Knights Templar, disciplined with vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, evolved into elite shock troops during the crusades.
Apart from battlefield prowess, the Templars amassed immense wealth, engaging in real estate, manufacturing, and international banking.
Accused of heresies by King Philip IV of France, the Templars faced trials, leading to their official disbandment, with many members executed or imprisoned.

15:21

King Philip the IV appropriated Templar funds to pay off debts, with many European kings following suit. Most claiming Templar descent today are not authentic, except for the Military Order of Christ in Portugal, founded by King Denis to protect surviving Templars. Templar legacy endures through structures like London's Temple district, churches, and castles across Europe and the Middle East, with their documented history surpassing modern myths and conspiracy theories.