The Templars and the Grail: Kn

Who were the medieval Knights Templar? How did they become so powerful and influential? Why were they suddenly arrested and tortured in 1307? What happened after their suppression? And how does their memory live on today?The powerful Knights Templar, famed monastic warriors of the Crusades, have long been shrouded in mystery. They were believed to conduct mystical rites, guard various relics, and perhaps possess the lost treasures of Jerusalem. They were also bankers to kings, trusted diplomats, skilled farmers, business scions, and navigators. Drawing on both academic and local sources, this book provides a solidly researched, up-to-date academic history of the Order of the Temple, the Knights Templar (Part One), while also examining various theories about the Templars and their enduring mythos today (Part Two).A vital contribution to medieval Templar history, 12th-14th century medieval religious studies, Crusades studies, Grail and related literature, and an analysis of modern-day interest in the medieval Order of the Temple (1119-1312). Appendices include a comprehensive Chronology of Events (1118-1571), a list of Grand Masters, information on major Templar sites, and illustrations featuring Rosslyn Chapel (Scotland) and its museum exhibition.