The Templars: The History and the Myth
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15
Ratings1
Average rating5
The first history of the legendary knights since the Vatican momentously released the records of their trial and exonerationWho were the Templars?What was the secret of their wealth and power?Why did the pope and the king of France act to destroy them?The Knights Templar were founded on Christmas Day 1119, on the very spot in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified. A religious order of fighting knights, the Templars defended the Holy Land and Christian pilgrims in the decades after the First Crusade. Legendary for their bravery and dedication, the Templars became one of the wealthiest and most powerful bodies of the medieval world-until they were condemned for heresy two centuries after their foundation, when the order was abolished and its leaders were burned at the stake.In The Templars, renowned historian Michael Haag investigates the origins and history, the enduring myths, and the soaring architecture of an enigmatic order long shrouded in mystery and controversy. The hand of the Templars, many believe, can be found in everything from Cathar heresy to Masonic conspiracies, and the Knights Templar still inspire popular culture, from Indiana Jones to Xbox games, to the novels of Dan Brown.
Reviews with the most likes.
This was so much closer to what I was looking for than the previous book I read, which focused exclusively on the tactics of the battles. Based on the last several chapters, this book is an excellent condensing of the history of the organization, how they came to be, and how they were actually brought down. Not only does the author go into what can be gleaned from historical documents but also talks about the various spinoffs from Christianity and the different branches of Islam and their relation to the reason for the Templars' creation.
He also goes into alot of the myths that have arisen over time. [The author is definitely not a Dan Brown fan.]
This is going in my personal library for rereading.
