Knights Templar The Knights Templar, founded in 1119 during the First Crusade with the mission of protecting pilgrims on their way to visit the Holy Places, was originally called the Knights of the Temple of King Solomon. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem allowed them to maintain their headquarters inside the Al Aqsa Mosque on the southeastern side of the Temple Mount. The Order was disbanded in by Pope Clement V in 1312, after King Philip IV applied massive pressure on him.
Recommended Resources
Grand Encampment, Knights Templar
The official home page of the Grand Encampment, a modern Knights Templar organization, offers details about the Encampment, officers and committees, and annual conclaves.
http://www.knightstemplar.org/
With a membership of more than 5,000 Knights and Dames of the Knights Templar around the world, the Knights Templar International has this site which gives the history of the Templars as well as their legacy, and details about the modern order and their projects.
http://www.osmth.org/
Provides history and mysteries about the Knights Templar as well as information about modern-day templarism. Additionally discusses the Crusades and offers both interviews and book reviews on the topic.
http://www.templarhistory.com/
The Knights Templar, Ancient and Modern
Devoted to both the historic and modern Knights Templar and includes resources including books and book reviews, online sites and web rings, music, and links to the St. John Hospitaller organizations.
http://www.orderstjohn.org/templars/templars.htm
