Source: “The Templars and the Grail: knights of the quest”, By Karen Ralls, Quest Books, Theosophical Publishing House, 2003.
2. The Knights Templar - An Unsolved Origin Story.mp4
2. The Knights Templar - Unpacking the Enigmatic Origins of History's Warrior Monks.m4a
This topic delves into the enigmatic origins of the Knights Templar, challenging conventional narratives and highlighting the unanswered questions surrounding their early years. It emphasizes that the official emergence of the Order in 1119 was primarily driven by the dire need for pilgrim protection in the Holy Land following the First Crusade, detailing the brutal attacks pilgrims faced. The text also explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding the first Grand Master, Hugh de Payns, and the significant, yet often overlooked, influence of the Champagne region and its interconnected noble families, including those linked to St. Bernard of Clairvaux and the early Cistercian Order, in the Templars' foundation and subsequent rapid growth. Furthermore, it probes the speculative "Order behind the Order" theories, suggesting possible links to the Order of Notre Dame de Sion or the powerful Cluniac Order, indicating a more complex and covert beginning than traditionally understood.
Topic 1: Enigmatic Beginnings of the Templar Order The origins of the Templar Order are considered even more enigmatic and perhaps more interesting than its suppression in 1312. Despite its historical significance, details about its earliest phases remain unclear. For example, historians still lack substantial knowledge about the first Grand Master, Hugh de Payns, and question why so many of the early influential figures hailed primarily from the region now known as Champagne. The developments leading up to the Order's official emergence are viewed as crucially important, sometimes even more so than subsequent events.
Topic 2: The Need for Pilgrim Protection in the Holy Land Following the First Crusade in the late eleventh century, an increasing number of pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem from across Europe, frequently risking their lives. Eyewitness accounts vividly describe the dangers they faced, with reports of Muslims ambushing Christians between Jaffa and Jerusalem. Pilgrims encountered Saracen robbers in the rocky mountains, often finding the unburied corpses of others along the routes, gnawed by wild animals. Little provision for food or water existed, leading many to arrive in Jerusalem in severe distress. While Christian pilgrimages had previously been allowed under Islamic rule, the Christian capture of Jerusalem in 1099 led to increased Muslim retaliation, exacerbating an already tense situation. A particularly severe incident at Easter in 1119 saw three hundred pilgrims killed and sixty taken prisoner, highlighting the urgent need for a response from Christendom's leaders.
Topic 3: Official Emergence of the Knights Templar in 1119 In response to the escalating crisis of pilgrim safety and the dire conditions described, the idea of a new institution combining a religious way of life with a military function was conceived. In 1119, the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar, officially emerged. Their primary purpose was to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The Order began very much as "a family affair," with several of its original nine knights being related, stemming from specific old Burgundian and Flemish families primarily based around the area of Troyes in Champagne.
Topic 4: The Initial Nine Knights and Questions About Their Role The Order started with only nine knights, a number that has puzzled many historians given the immense task of policing pilgrim routes, even in a limited area around Jerusalem. These initial knights included scions of noble families, such as Hugh de Payns, Godfroi de St. Omer, André de Montbard (uncle of St. Bernard), Payen de Montdidier, Achambaud de St.-Amand, Godfroi, Geoffroi Bisol, Gondemar, and Rossal. Archbishop William of Tyre described them as noble, devoted, religious, and God-fearing men who intended to become regular canons, taking monastic vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. He emphasized their initial poverty and the slow rate of recruitment, noting there were still only nine brothers after nine years. Critics, however, suggest that this small, exclusive group may have had a purpose beyond just policing pilgrim routes, especially since they did not actively recruit others despite the growing number of pilgrims.
Topic 5: Support from King Baldwin II and Patriarch Warmund of Picquigny The early Templars were actively encouraged and sanctioned by the Christian ruler of Jerusalem, King Baldwin II, and Warmund of Picquigny, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. This support was significant, as these high-ranking figures directly assisted the first nine Templars in obtaining food, shelter, and clothing. Their warm welcome is considered noteworthy, especially as they are sometimes portrayed as unannounced visitors. Their shelter, the al-Aqsa Mosque (known as Solomon's Temple by Crusaders), was one of the most important and exclusive buildings in the Holy Land, further indicating the high level of official recognition they received from the outset.
Topic 6: The Templars' Exclusive Accommodation at the Temple Mount A point of contention and much speculation revolves around the fact that King Baldwin II granted the Templars exclusive accommodation in his palace on the south side of the "Lord's Temple," now known as the al-Aqsa Mosque, which crusaders called Solomon's Temple. This location, just a few hundred meters from the Dome of the Rock, raises questions, especially given the extensive tunnel system underneath it. Critics wonder why such a prominent and exclusive building was given to a small group of knights supposedly only guarding pilgrim routes. The Templars also kept their horses in the spacious stables under Solomon's Temple, which could accommodate thousands, leading some to speculate this provided a "cover" for other activities.
Topic 7: Speculation Regarding Alternative Templar Activities (Digging/Treasure) The exclusive accommodation at the Temple Mount and the presence of an extensive tunnel system underneath have fueled speculation that the Templars might have been engaged in activities beyond simply policing pilgrim routes. Some theories suggest they were digging for something under the temple, leading to widespread speculation about possible Templar treasure, such as gold or scrolls. While the idea of excavation is theoretically possible, the lack of archaeological evidence makes it impossible to determine if this occurred in their early years or if anything was found. Contemporary accounts also suggest early Templars were very poor, and morale was low, which could argue against the idea of finding treasure, though critics counter that they might simply not have found what they were looking for yet.
Topic 8: Evolution of Templar Garb and Official Recognition During the Order's first nine years (1119-1128), the Templars wore simple, ordinary clothes, meaning they would not have been seen in their famous white mantles while based at the Temple Mount. Their distinctive white mantles were adopted after the Church Council of Troyes in 1129, when they officially received a religious Rule and a white habit. The iconic red cross, a symbol of Christian martyrdom, was added later when Pope Eugenius III (1145-1153) granted them permission to wear it. The Council of Troyes also marked a significant moment of official recognition from the Church, solidifying their status.
Topic 9: William of Tyre's Chronicle as a Primary Source (and its Limitations) Archbishop Guillaume de Tyre (William of Tyre), who wrote his history of the crusader states between 1165 and 1184, is considered the key accepted source for the Order's beginnings, forming the basis for many subsequent accounts. He described the first Templars as noble knights devoted to God and religious life, taking monastic vows. However, modern historians, including Sir Stephen Runciman, acknowledge that some of Guillaume's dates are confused and demonstrably wrong. For instance, he stated the Order was founded in 1118, but later evidence, including a charter from 1128 and Guillaume's own statement about the Council of Troyes occurring in the Order's ninth year, points to 1119 as the more accurate founding date. Furthermore, later chroniclers writing after Hugh de Payns had received his title of "de Payns" naturally referred to him by that name, potentially misrepresenting his name at the time of the Order's founding.