Medieval Times

The Knights Templar were officially founded in 1119 by a group of knights led by Hugh de Payens. Their initial purpose was to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land following the First Crusade. Endorsed by the Church and supported by King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, the Templars quickly grew in influence and numbers, setting the stage for their pivotal role in medieval warfare and finance.

The Holylands which was previously considered safe was now a dangerous place for Christians on their pilgrimages to the Holylands. Some Christian Byzantine territories had been captured by Muslim Turks who were hostile toward Christians as they travelled on their pilgrimages.

There was now a need to protect Christians from attacks on their travels and pilgrimages to the Holylands and this was the reason for the creation of the ‘Knights Templar’ as a protective force of Knights.

Soon after the creation of the Templars, King Baldwin II allowed them to take the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as their headquarters.

The Order came to be called the “Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon”.

The Order was initially very poor but in 1129 it received approval from the Church. This made the Knights Templar a veritable Order which the nobility eagerly joined and donated to, making it the most powerful and rich Order of the time in future years.

Knights Templar Origins Fast Facts

• The Order of the ‘Knights Templar’ was created in 1119.
• French knight Hugues de Payens was instrumental in the creation of the Knights Templar.
• Hugues de Payens and King Baldwin II of Jerusalem creation of the Order.

• The Templar Knights duties were to protect the Christian pilgrims to the Holylands.
• The knights Templar took Temple Mount in the ‘Holy City Jerusalem’ as their headquarters.
• The Order of the knights Templar became known as ‘the Temple of Solomon knights’ and the ‘Poor Knights of Christ’.

• The Order of the Knights Templar was was very poor, but became incredibly wealthy.
• By the year ‘1129’ the Knights Templar was recognized and approved by the Christian Catholic Church.
• From small beginnings the Knights Templar became a real and veritable Order respected by nobility and Institutions.

• Nobility, and people who supported the Christian Crusades cause eagerly joined and donated money to the Templars.
• The Knights Templar became a wealthy organization which made it a vastly powerful and rich Order.