Some books about the real Templars.

Crow

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Gidday Amigos

A great deal has been written about the knights Templars, and thanks to popular fiction books and movies like ​The DaVinci Code a fresh wave of Pseudo "history" theories on the topic have swamped the internet and dubious books and articles been published. Unfortunately, many dwell on the myths that have sprung up around the story of the warrior monks, and some are downright shoddy with respect to accuracy. Some as well we all know belongs to realms of the tinfoil hat brigade.

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So what are the real facts ? Its hard to know because it is drowned out by the fantasy we see regurgitated on internet forums and on the net? With so many Templar conspiracy theories ones heads hurt.


Anyone wanting to know the real facts and not the soap box pseudo history may be well served in reading some of the following books below. The books presented below are all well-researched, historically factual accounts of the actual events, practices, and people involved with Templar history.

1. The New Knighthood: A history of the order of the temple. by Malcolm Barber
The definitive history of the Templars from the foremost Templar historian, The New Knighthood is engaging and enjoyable as well as informative and enlightening. From the mysterious origins of the organization and the concept of a militarized monastic society to the demise of the order and its enduring myth through the ages, Barber offers well-referenced, scholarly examinations of the evidence and a lucid, flowing narrative of events. Includes photos, maps, a chronology, a list of grandmasters, an extensive list of references and an explanation of available bibliographic sources.

2. The knights Templar a New history: by Helen Nicholson A Reader in History at Cardiff University, Dr. Nicholson is an authority in Crusades History, and in ​The Knights Templar: A New History, her extensive knowledge of the Templars is made easily accessible by her straightforward style. Next to Barber's work, The Knights Templar: A New History is the best general history of the Templars available, and, having been published more recently, it offers a somewhat fresher perspective. (True Templar enthusiasts should read both books.)

3. Trial of the Templars: by Malcolm Barber The companion piece to Barber's The New Knighthood, this absorbing account of the ordeal of the Templar Knights in France offers a detailed, well-supported examination of the tragic events. An academic study of not only the trial but the history surrounding it, all highly readable.

4.The Real history of the Knight templars: by Sharan Newman For anyone new to the whole topic of the Templars, this entertaining and accessible book is the place to start. The author sets forth the story of the knights in logical, chronological order, with personal observations and keen insight that makes the reader feel as if history -- even the complex history of a vilified and obscured brotherhood of warrior monks -- is something he can really understand and relate to, even if he never has before. Includes a map, a timeline, a table of the rulers of the kingdom of Jerusalem, an index, photos, and illustrations, recommended reading, and a segment on "How to Tell if You Are Reading Pseudo history." Highly recommended.

5. The Knights Templar Encyclopedia: by Karen Ralls This "Essential Guide to the People, Places, Events, and Symbols of the Order of the Temple" is a valuable reference tool for both scholars and newcomers to the topic. Providing detailed and friendly entries on an extensive selection of topics, the Encyclopedia offers quick answers to numerous questions about Templar history, organization, daily life, significant individuals and much more. Includes a chronology, lists of grandmasters and popes, the charges against the Templars, selected Templar sites and recommended academic publications as well as a bibliography.​

6. The Templars selected sources: translated and annotated by Malcolm Barber and Keith Bate

No Templar enthusiast worth his salt should overlook any primary sources he can get his hands on. Barber and Bate have collected and translated period documents concerning the order's foundation, its Rule, privileges, warfare, politics, religious and charitable functions, economic development, and much more. They have also added useful background information on the documents, their authors, and the situations concerned. An absolutely invaluable resource for the scholar.

7. The Knights Templar. by Stephen Howarth For those with no background in the Middle Ages or the crusades, Barber and Nicholson may be a difficult read, as both assume some knowledge of these subjects. Howarth makes a decent alternative with this accessible introduction for the newcomer. By offering some background and peripheral information, Howarth sets the events of Templar history in the context of the times. A decent starting point for anyone not already familiar with Medieval History.

8. The knights Templar: History and myths of the legendary order. by Sean Martin

If you absolutely must explore the myths of the Templars, be sure to start with the facts. In addition to a concise history, Martin provides an examination of some of the rumors associated with the order and the factual origins and misunderstandings that may have led to them. Though largely drawn from secondary sources, the assertions are referenced, and Martin succeeds in clarifying the difference between fact and supposition. Also includes a chronology, the charges brought against the Templars, and a list of ​grand masters.

The Templars have an eternal fascination that has captured the romantic imagination of many. as we can see pseudo orders of knights being played out below in fanciful clubs like the one below. While we can put down their efforts as escapism and cos play. Any Templar groups and organizations today are nothing like the original order.

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Getting the facts and not the fantasy will take you on journey back into history and the Crusades.


Crow
 

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Gidday Amigos

There is an old book in the reference library of the university of Michigan. Called the Knights Templars by Charles Greenstreet Addison published London in 1852.

The knights templars.JPG

The good thing about this book it gives references to sources citations. Many refer to Latin texts and Cannon documents from charters cathedral in France. Parts of the book are written in French and Papal Latin bulls as per source of the information.

In regards to fate of most of the Templar treasure it appears it was plundered by King Phillip the fair, The Pope clement V and Edward II. Each had their own motives is getting their hands on Templar wealth.

templar treasure king phillip and pope..JPG

Edward II did the same by giving Templar estates and assets to his barons to shore up support for his Crown. As you can see below.

king of england plundered templars.JPG

Pope Clement was not impressed with King Phillip the fair of France and King Edward the II gleefully divided up Templar properties and assets as he had issued a Papal Bull restricting the claims of both Kings to what he claimed belong to papacy. However a compromise was made with some Templar assets being resigned to the Knights Hospitalier. But that was without some years of haggling even before the Templars was officially disbanded.

latin records of fate and struggle between heirs and hospitalliers.JPG

Other than treasure bought back with them from the holy land after they was defeated. This Acquired wealth of Templars was from their original banking services and protection payments from Pilgrims on pilgrimage to the Holy land.

That accumulated treasure was taken Acre Before it fell to Saladin and his Army in 1291. First to Nicosia in Cyprus then onto France where it was housed in the Templars Castle in Paris. By 1295, to pay for his constant wars, Philip had no choice but to borrow more and debase the currency by reducing its silver content.This led to the virtual disappearance of silver from France by 1301.

Philip was substantially in debt to the knights Templar whose original role as protectors of Christian pilgrims in the Latin East had been largely replaced by banking and other commercial activities by the end of the 13th century.[SUP].[/SUP] As the popularity of the Crusades had decreased, support for the military orders had waned, and Philip used a disgruntled complaint against the Knights Templar as an excuse to move against the entire organization as it existed in France, in part to free himself from his debts. He had did the same with Jewish. Perhaps seeking to control the silver of the Jewish mints to put the revaluation to effect, Philip ordered the expulsion of the Jews on 22 July 1306 and confiscated their property on 23 August, collecting at least 140,000 LP with this measure.

One thing there is no mention of any Templar fleet Fleeing France with treasure after the official disbandment of knights Templar or on the day of the arrests.

So in regarding the wealth of Templars in silver coin brought back from Acre it was infact absorbed into economic system of France England and the Catholic church.

In fact Templar Coins are still around today in astounding numbers for a coins that has survived just over 700 years.

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Even I had a little shock in the actual value of such ancient Templar coins. ( I thought the value of such coins would be higher? )Even relatively good coins sell for about 250-400 Dollars US. Other badly worn coins come down in price. Naturally the higher the price better the Quality but when offered job lots of coins some all be it in bad condition in their hundreds. I did not think so many coins survived the centuries? Coins are found in collections all over the world by predominately in Europe. And the occasion hoard found either buried by later murdered pilgrims in the holy land or in Europe when the general population used the coins as currency.

So for me other than small caches the idea of a Templar treasure in coin at least for many is more delving in to realms of wishful thinking.

Crow
 

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Crow

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The following Templar deeds from properties in the UK went on sale. They sold for about 70 thousand USD. It seems more money to be made from the sale of paper documents than actual Templar coins?

english templar deeds B.jpg

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However they do give some important historical insight into fate of such confiscated Templar properties.

Ten deeds of gift to the Knights Templar of Temple Newsam by Richard de Rihil [Ryhill], of some 20 acres in South Crossland [Crosland], land in Warderode, one-and-a-half acres by the moor near Adam le Venur with rights of burning building and fencing (3 deeds);

by Lady Alina, widow of Crossland, daughter of Philip of Rihill, of half a house or toft (smallholding) which Elias son of Adam le Venur held and the right to take wood for building and burning within the boundaries of Crossland as well as pannage for their pigs within the boundaries of the donor's part of the woods;

Thomas de Turstainlande [Thurstonland], of one and a half acres and an acre in Turstainlande (2 deeds); by Roger son of Walter de Thorneton [?the Roger de Thornton who in 1288 granted his land at Wilsden, WR, to the Abbot of Byland], of one assart (area of cleared land) in Greteland [Greetland] called Brendesidewaie Rod, rendering yearly to the donor and his heirs 3s 1½d for all services;

by Ralf Tagun son of Jordan Tagun, of a grant and quitclaim of the house which his father Jordan Tagun gave them, and one and a half acres in Fullecroft; Robert son of William de Lepton, of ten acres in Lepton;

by Alexander de Nevile, of all land which his brother gave the Templars, namely a bovate (about 15 acres) in Lepton, the assart held by Richard des Estages and that held by Hugh de Estages, a meadow held by Iwan de Lepton, and an assart in Lepton called Scakelsahe held by Richard de Spinis, also pasture for 200 sheep and 10 cows for two years in the common fields of Lepton; the Templar deeds witnessed by Brother Suanus, Samuel the Chaplain, Gilbert Chaplain of "Alemab.", Sir Jordan de Insula [Lisle], Sir John de Insula [?of Woodburn], Sir William de Patenum, Sir Thomas, Chaplain of the Temple, Sir William Dayude, G. de Notton, Seneschal [?Geoffrey De Notton, of Notton, near Wakefield, died 1280], Matthew de Scepesley, Seneschal, Sir William de Sumerville [?of Linton and Carnwath], Sir Eli[as] de Albo Monasterio [Whitchurch], Sir William de Alreton, and many others.

These properties if could be traced to present day properties could in theory be likely places where Templar coins could be possibly found and even perhaps small caches of coins?

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Singlestack Wonder

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So refreshing to read factual information from someone who does true methodical research vs. all of the fiction posted...
 

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KANACKI

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So refreshing to read factual information from someone who does true methodical research vs. all of the fiction posted...

Hola Amigos It would be more refreshing if that old beach bum of a pirate pulled his finger out and finished a few" Other " research projects he promised to finish before Christmas. :tongue3:

KANACKI
 

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Crow

Crow

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Gidday Kanacki

My finger has been out awhile amigo.:laughing7: That last shipment went to Europe today. I imagine auction houses in Paris and London will be thrilled with next years Auctions?

Crow
 

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