| Photo Credit: alieninterview.org |
Did you know?
That the order of the Knights Templar was originally founded to protect pilgrimages?
The order of the Knights Templar was founded in the middle ages and closely tied to the crusades. After the first crusade re-captured Jerusalem for Christendom, literally hundreds of people began making pilgrimages to the Holy Lands. While the city itself was secure, the paths leading to it were not. The Knights Templar were founded as a monastic order. They became warrior monks--some of the most highly trained in the world--to protect those devout Christians who only wanted to make a pilgrimage to display their religious beliefs.
After being officially endorsed by the Catholic church in 1099, the order became a favorite charity. Their power and membership increased rapidly, along with the respect and admiration the common people had for them. The Templars are even credited with starting the first bank in Europe, lending money to everyone from commoners to the monarchy. Soon the order's wealth rivaled even the sovereigns. This may have had a lot to do with that fateful Friday the 13th when the powers-that-be ordered their mass extermination. But that's a whole other post.
Check out medieval tidbit 1 and medieval tidbit 2!
What do YOU think about the Knights Templar? Would you like to know more about them?
Happy Monday!
This is actually kind of cool to read about. I only know the Knights Templar as the sweet old men that stand outside of the grocery store and give you a Tootsie Roll if you donate to their charity, which helps children with autism.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Well, glad you're familiar with them. :D Thanks for stopping by, guys!
DeleteI do hope you plan to continue this little series of medieval tidbits. I'm enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteI do! I'm getting very positive responses. Thanks, Jeff! :D
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