[Xenalyte]

But, hey, if they're going to fantasize about an ancient cult that has little more historical basis than the last Indiana Jones movie, they might as well toss some blasphemy in there too.

The Templars aren't at all fictitious. Over the last millennium, they evolved into what we now call Freemasons. (Before y'all flame me, my daddy's a Mason, and I was a Rainbow Girl; this isn't anti-Masonic bigotry, but cultural history.)

Founded in the late 1100s by what-would-become-French nobles to protect travelers on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, they outgrew their mission and became a mercenary army. They're credited with developing the credit system; they acted as bankers to the newborn European powers.

Eventually, as all non-monarchical powers, they were deemed a threat by the French monarchy, and Philippe le Bel had the Order suppressed in the 1300s, burning alive Jacques DeMolay, the head of the Order in France. (That's where the Order of DeMolay comes from today.)

I refer you to the fascinating Holy Blood, Holy Grail (authors: Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln) for more info.

I do concede that much non-historical ink has been spilt on behalf of (or in repudiation of) the Templars, but they did in fact exist.

[RightWhale]

the Templars, but they did in fact exist

By Papal commission. Headquarters -- Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.

[wideawake]

Baigent's book also maintains that:

(1) Christ was never crucified for our sins.

(2) Christ never rose from the dead.

(3) That Christ got married and had children and that his direct-line descendants are alive today and live in southern France.

In short, Christians should steer clear of Baigent's ridiculous, ahistorical, made-up fantasyland of a book and stick to Scripture and reputable historians.

[rwfromkansas]

Holy Blood is not a book anyone should read. It is insanity.

[curmudgeonII]

It'd probably be more accurate if you were to say that the Templars were one of the elements that may have been involved in the evolution of Freemasonry. There is some pretty good evidence that the institution of Feremasonry can be traced to the second king of ancient Rome, Numa Pompilus. [And I will have been a Feemason for 50 years in April.]

[johnny7]

Yes... they existed and took the Holy Grail to France.

Whoever has it now is unknown.

Hitler coveted the spearhead of Longinus... it pierced the body of Jesus Christ.

When he invaded Austria, that was his first objective.

[FateAmenableToChange]

I do concede that much non-historical ink has been spilt on behalf of (or in repudiation of) the Templars, but they did in fact exist.

Sure, there was an organization that was founded during the first or second crusade, built its headquarters on the holy sepulcher in Jerusalem, got really rich doing that, became a power back in europe, got mostly killed in france by Phillip, and then disappeared. Everything after their disappearance as an order, though, is pure fantasy. Even though the freemasons claim to have derived from the KT, there's no historical proof of that either. I've read the books and they make great historical romance reading.

[Marianne]

Have you read The Second Messiah by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas?

[Redleg Duke]

Suggest "Born in Blood" by Robinson. An excellent history with terrific research.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Tres.
Templi Resurgentes Equites Synarchici.

FOUCAULT'S PENDULUM by Umberto Eco

[Katya]

"I refer you to the fascinating "Holy Blood, Holy Grail (authors: Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln) for more info.

Great read...no it's not fable...although as any movement that was politically annihilated...some of what is later remembered may be fiction.

[scouse]

You might like to read the article at this place.

"http://mailbox.univie.ac.at/~muehleb9/renneslechateau.html"

[chilepepper]

Eventually, as all non-monarchical powers, they were deemed a threat by the French monarchy, and Philippe le Bel had the Order suppressed in the 1300s, burning alive Jacques DeMolay, the head of the Order in France. (That's where the Order of DeMolay comes from today.)

The evil French king made his move against the Templars on Friday the 13th, which is where the superstitions circling that date come from...

[Jack of Diamonds]

Holy Blood, Holy Grail is a hard book to read or understand, unless you know some French and Latin. I lst my copy about half way through it. I was fascinated with the creations of the order in Jerusalem and the attempts made by the king of France to destroy them including the assassination of a few Popes. The order was broken up but their wealth was hidden and many escaped using the orders merchant fleet. I need to get another copy and finish the book.