The Knights Templars' Origin and Impact
In 1118, the city of Jerusalem was still in a dismal state. It had recently been conquered in the First Crusade and was currently under the control of Baldwin, count of the Crusader state of Edessa. Though Badlwin was able to increase the population of Jerusalem by importing Syrian Christians and Greeks(Armstrong 279), the city still faced population, security, and economic issues. Then in 1118, “a French knight named Hugues de Payens created a military order calling it the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, later known simply as the Knights Templar”(History.com 2). Who were the Templars, what were their beliefs, and how did they affect Jerusalem?
The Knights Templar originally offered “to police the roads of Palestine and protect the unarmed pilgrims from Bedouin and other Muslim desperadoes”(Armstrong 282). Baldwin immediately accepted the offer and took their help. From this point, their influence only grew. The Templars started as monks, meaning that they could not bear arms or fight, which caused some to criticize them early on in their work(History.com 4). However, the Chruch later recognized them as an official ordo, meaning that sacred violence was allowed to some degree. These ‘Poor Knights’ grew over time in number and financial status, using their profits from the crusades to refurbish their headquarters on the Temple Mount and grow their status. Eventually, the Templars became an elite corps of soldiers and a major financial institution in Jerusalem and Europe, allowing “religious pilgrims to deposit assets in their home countries and withdraw funds in the Holy Land”(History.com 6), all at a healthy profit margin of course. At the height of their power, they owned a large fleet of ships, the island of Cyprus, and served as a large bank in Europe. Ironically, Members swore an oath of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They weren’t allowed to drink, gamble or swear, with prayer being essential to daily life for these knights(History.com 8).
The Knights Templar started as a small band of monks and through the Crusades were able to become one of the most important institutions in Jerusalem and Europe. They are a reflection of the Crusader Jerusalem as a whole. Though Crusading was seen and meant to be an act of love, the love was expressed in “violence and atrocity”(Armstrong 282). For the Templars, their original concern of charity and protection of the poor quickly turned to military aggression and financial gain. The order started to decline in the late 12th century when the Muslims retook Jerusalem and eventually was disbanded in 1303.
Image Source:
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/knights-templar-coat-of-arms-over-black-velvet-serge-averbukh.html
Citations:
The Knights Templar originally offered “to police the roads of Palestine and protect the unarmed pilgrims from Bedouin and other Muslim desperadoes”(Armstrong 282). Baldwin immediately accepted the offer and took their help. From this point, their influence only grew. The Templars started as monks, meaning that they could not bear arms or fight, which caused some to criticize them early on in their work(History.com 4). However, the Chruch later recognized them as an official ordo, meaning that sacred violence was allowed to some degree. These ‘Poor Knights’ grew over time in number and financial status, using their profits from the crusades to refurbish their headquarters on the Temple Mount and grow their status. Eventually, the Templars became an elite corps of soldiers and a major financial institution in Jerusalem and Europe, allowing “religious pilgrims to deposit assets in their home countries and withdraw funds in the Holy Land”(History.com 6), all at a healthy profit margin of course. At the height of their power, they owned a large fleet of ships, the island of Cyprus, and served as a large bank in Europe. Ironically, Members swore an oath of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They weren’t allowed to drink, gamble or swear, with prayer being essential to daily life for these knights(History.com 8).
The Knights Templar started as a small band of monks and through the Crusades were able to become one of the most important institutions in Jerusalem and Europe. They are a reflection of the Crusader Jerusalem as a whole. Though Crusading was seen and meant to be an act of love, the love was expressed in “violence and atrocity”(Armstrong 282). For the Templars, their original concern of charity and protection of the poor quickly turned to military aggression and financial gain. The order started to decline in the late 12th century when the Muslims retook Jerusalem and eventually was disbanded in 1303.
Image Source:
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/knights-templar-coat-of-arms-over-black-velvet-serge-averbukh.html
Citations:
History.com Editors. “Knights Templar.” HISTORY, 21 Aug. 2018, www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/the-knights-templar.
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