Knights Templar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
|
|
|---|---|
A Seal of the Knights Templar
|
|
| Active | c. 1119 – c. 1312 |
| Allegiance | The Pope |
| Type | Catholic military order |
| Role | Protection of Christian Pilgrims Shock troops |
| Headquarters | Temple Mount, Jerusalem, Kingdom of Jerusalem |
| Patron | Saint Bernard of Clairvaux |
| Motto(s) | Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory |
| Attire | White mantle with a red cross |
| Mascot(s) | Two knights riding a single horse |
| Commanders | |
| First Grand Master | Hugues de Payens |
| Last Grand Master | Jacques de Molay |
The Knights Templar were a famous group of Christian knights from the Middle Ages. Their full name was the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon. They were a special kind of military order, which means they were like soldier-monks.
This group lasted for about 200 years. It started around 1119, soon after the First Crusade in 1096. Their main job was to protect Christian travelers. These travelers were making a pilgrimage (a religious journey) to Jerusalem. Jerusalem had recently been captured by Christian forces.
The Roman Catholic Church officially approved the Templars around 1129. Many Christians supported them, and the Order quickly grew in size and power. Templar knights wore white cloaks with a red cross on them. They were known as some of the best fighters during the Crusades.
Not all Templars were fighters. Many members managed a huge financial network across Europe. They created new ways of handling money, which were early forms of banking. They also built many strong fortifications (castles and forts) around the Mediterranean Sea and in the Holy Land.
The Templars' success was closely linked to the Crusades. When Christians lost control of the Holy Land, people stopped supporting the Order as much.
Rumors started spreading about the Templars' secret ceremonies. This made people distrust them. King Philip IV of France owed a lot of money to the Templars. He began to pressure Pope Clement V to act against the Order.
In 1307, many Templar members in France were arrested. They were forced to say things that were not true. Then, some were executed in a terrible way. In 1312, Pope Clement, still under pressure from King Philip, officially ended the Order.
No exact numbers exist, but it's thought there were about 15,000 to 20,000 Templars at their peak. Only about one-tenth of these were actual knights.
Contents
What the Knights Templar Did
The Knights Templar had two main roles. First, they protected Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. This was a dangerous journey, and the Templars made it safer.
Second, they were fierce warriors. They fought in many important battles during the Crusades. They were known for their bravery and skill in combat.
Their Financial Power
Beyond fighting, the Templars became very wealthy and powerful. They managed money for kings and nobles. They even helped people transfer money across Europe without carrying large amounts of gold. This was a very early form of modern banking.
They owned many lands and castles. These properties helped them support their military efforts.
The End of the Templars
The Templars' downfall was a sad and sudden event. When the Crusades ended and the Holy Land was lost, their main purpose seemed to fade.
King Philip IV of France played a big part in their end. He was deeply in debt to the Templars. He saw a chance to get rid of his debt and gain their wealth.
Accusations and Arrests
King Philip accused the Templars of many things. These included heresy (going against Church teachings) and strange secret rituals. These accusations were mostly false.
In 1307, King Philip ordered the arrest of all Templars in France. Many were forced to confess to crimes they didn't commit.
The Pope's Decision
Pope Clement V was under great pressure from King Philip. Even though the Pope initially tried to protect the Templars, he eventually gave in.
In 1312, the Pope officially disbanded the Knights Templar. Their lands and wealth were given to other groups, though King Philip managed to take much of it for himself.
Images for kids
-
Temple Church, London - a place where Templar ceremonies happened. Today, it's a popular tourist spot.
-
The first headquarters of the Knights Templar, on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The Crusaders called it "the Temple of Solomon" and from this location derived their name of Templar.
-
Battle of Hattin in 1187, a key moment leading to the Third Crusade. From a copy of the Passages d’outremer, c.1490.
-
Convent of Christ Castle in Tomar, Portugal. Built in 1160 as a stronghold for the Knights Templar, it became the headquarters of the renamed Order of Christ. In 1983, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
Templars being executed in a terrible way.
-
Templar chapel from the 12th century in Metz, France. Once part of the Templar commandery of Metz, the oldest Templar institution of the Holy Roman Empire.
-
Templar building at Saint Martin des Champs, France
-
A modern representation of a Knight Templar (Ten Duinen Abbey museum, 2010 photograph)
-
A drawing of two Templars riding one horse (showing their vow of poverty), with Beauséant, their "sacred banner" (Matthew Paris, c. 1250).
See also
In Spanish: Caballeros templarios para niños
