The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar by Gordon Napier

The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar by Gordon Napier

A highly readable look at the lifespan of the famous Knights Templar who were warrior monks and the first disciplined, regulated and uniformed standing army since antiquity throughout Europe and the Holy Lands and who also were an economic force to be reckoned with and perhaps an institution guarding dark secrets. - The origins of the concept of Holy War, from Biblical times through the rise of Islam and the Christian movement which inspired untold thousands to set out to recapture Jerusalem, as warriors and as pilgrims. - How nine knights led by Hugues de Payens came from France to guard pilgrims in the Holy Land and how they gained the site of the Temple of Solomon and what they did there including a re-evaluation of the historical evidence. - How an unprecedented religious Order grew, pledged to bloodshed in defence of pilgrims and the territory conquered by the Crusaders and the role and agenda of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and other powerful backers. - The Order's contribution to the ongoing Crusades, their military tactics and organisation and the fortresses and bases they established. - The fate of the Order after the failure of the Crusades including detailed examination of the charges of occult rituals involving idol worship, spitting on the Cross and obscene kisses, through to the burning of the last Grand Master Jacques de Molay in 1314.

(Location:Princes Risborough, Bucks) is a writer and artist with a keen interest in the culture of Middle Ages who has devoted several years to exploring the mysteries of the Templars.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781862271999
ISBN 10	1862271992
Title	The Rise and Fall of the Knights Templar
Author	Gordon Napier
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	The History Press Ltd
Year published	2002-11-01
Number of pages	200
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.