THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
A Definitive History of the First and Greatest
Warrior Monks
4 x 26'
A four part series of 26 minute programmes
The Knights Templar tells the full story of the legendary warrior monks: from their origins as poor
knights in the aftermath of the First Crusade to their meteoric rise as powerful bankers to King and Pope. Then accused of heresy and devil worshipping they were totally destroyed - or were they...?
Did some of the Templars escape the massacres of 1314?
And with them vast treasure?
Did the surviving templars clandestinely pass their knowledge and wealth down the generations - to the present day?
And just what exactly are the Templar and Masonic links?
Do the templars still guard the Holy Grail?
In 1099 AD the First Crusade captured Jerusalem. In 1118AD nine Frankish Knights banded
together to form an order of warrior monks dedicated to protecting the lives of pilgrims travelling to the Holy sights. They took their name from the Temple of Solomon, over-looked by the
Dome of the Rock - their mother church and most sacred emblem.
Within 200 years the Knights were Christendom’s most powerful religious order, with more than
7000 knights and sergeants, nearly 900 castles and 9000 manors. The Templars had become Europe’s bankers and had accumulated vast wealth.
Their success lead to jealousy and rivalry. In the early years
of the 14th century the French King, Philip IV arrested all 5000 of the Templars in France. Charged with heresy, devil worshipping and other dreadful crimes, many were burned at the stake.
The Pope abandoned them. All Templar land and wealth throughout Europe was confiscated. The order was expunged forever.
Or was it? The myths and legends surrounding this
extraordinary military order have endured for centuries. Now finally the truth.
Producer: Sophistory in association with Westbrook Films. Made in association with Westbrooke Films.
Availability: Worldwide, all media.