Formed in the twelfth century to guard pilgrims on the road in the Holy Land, the Knights Templar would soon be a major military force in the Crusades and amass enormous sums of wealth. However, their sudden arrest in the fourteenth century and their leaders' execution sent shockwaves throughout Europe. Accused of heresy, the Order was abolished, but the Templars' story is still being written today. This book explores the history of the infamous warrior monks, but also the truth behind the myths and their legacy. Did the Templars guard the Holy Grail? Are they ancestors of the freemasons? The story of the Knights Templar spans into the twenty-first century as villainous knights, guardians of a great secret and the inspiration behind the Jedi Knights of Star Wars. Discover the 900-year story of the Knights Templar, from the Crusades to the fantastical myths and their legacy in popular culture.
