The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest

by Karen Ralls

Why do the powerful medieval Knights Templar, the famed warriors of the Crusades, still intrigue many today? A secret society long shrouded in mystery, the Templars were believed to conduct mystical rituals, to guard the Holy Grail, and to possess the priceless treasures of the Temple of Jerusalem. Did they bring their treasure to North America, as some legends say? This definitive work about the Templars and their presumed hidden knowledge addresses many such fascinating questions, with rare photos from the Rosslyn Chapel Museum (Scotland) included.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the Templar’s prior to reading this book. If you know very little like myself, I would highly recommend this book. It was an easy read and the author did a really good job of keeping it interesting and enjoyable.

[MeriBeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with many history books I read, I went into this book with high hopes and a lot of anticipation of an in-depth study, or as much of one as possible with the scant sources available, on the connections - literary and historical - between the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. To say I was disappointed in this text is an understatement. It is very light and breezy in tone, thus making it very readable; however, it is also just a rehash of material from other books on the Templars and the Grail. Much of the information appears in a slightly different form in Ms. Ralls other book, The Knights Templar Encyclopedia: The Essential Guide to the People, Places, and Symbols of the Order of the Temple. The consistency of material between the two books makes me wonder if the one was a source for the other or vis versa.

Speaking of sources, Ms. Ralls, despite being a medieval historian who trained at the University of Edinburgh, does not use any primary source documents. Every source she quotes or references later on is secondary with none seeming to date before the mid-nineteenth century. I would have thought a trained historian would know to always check the primary source documents when they are available to you or are in a reasonable location nearby. This was, in fact, the first thing I was taught during my own instruction in history. The lack of primary source references, especially when added to comments in the text of 'more research on this topic is clearly necessary', made the book somewhat frustrating to read.

Still, I did learn a few things here and there that I didn't already know from other sources. Not many, but a few. Enough that I can recommend this book, especially the first part concerning the actual history of the Order of the Temple, to those who are just starting out in their studies of the Knights Templar.

Crossposted to my book blog here.

[Slmcmahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the material presented in Dr. Ralls' book, The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest very interesting. This seems to be mostly a review of Templar lore with Dr. Ralls' point of view worked into the text. That is not to say that this book is "lite". It is a complicated subject with little contemporary documentation presented clearly without the brouhaha of the mysteries surrounding the Knights Templar.

For a group of monk knights whose purpose was to protect and serve pilgrims to the Holy Land, there is much interest in the group. I don't think so much has been written about their contemporaries, the Knights Hospitalier.

What is the basis for centuries of fascination with the Templars? This is the question Dr. Ralls sets out to explore (v. answer). The theories and suppositions about the Templar treasure found in the Holy Land. Was it the Holy Grail? What exactly is the Holy Grail? What is the basis for the power they had in Europe and why did that power so threaten a king and a pope to excommunicate and exterminate the group.

There are many questions and Dr. Ralls presents the material clearly and interestingly. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in medieval history, the Crusades, the struggle for control of the Holy Land and the mystery of the Holy Grail.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Ralls does a scholarly disertation on the Templars and the legends surrounding them. This work is mostly a rehash of previous suppositions about the Order though she claims that new material has come to light. The author uses only the writings of of others as a basis for her work, the oldest being from the 1842 with the majority from the later 1900's and the first decade of the 21st century. As one interested in history, it would be nice to have some primary documents and to be able to validate the sources used by her sources. I noticed nothing new in Dr. Ralls' work, but as in all history the reader will have to make their own judgements.

[Karlie Nyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book more than once - I still find it fascinating. This book takes a look at the Templar Knights, from beginning to end, fact as well as various theories. It's a very readable book, one that is written on a fascinating subject, but it doesn't get too terribly convaluted with dates and names, except where it has to.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good study of the myths that have arisen around the Knights Templar over the century. It traced all the actual sources since she is history teacher. This is not trying to make them a secret society or prove anything about them. I found it a very enjoyable read.

[Ricardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Y que fue de la misteriosa orden de los Caballeros Templarios? Karen Ralls nos expone de forma sencilla y amena los orígenes, historia y fin de una de las más respetadas órdenes de caballeros de la edad media. Un viaje al pasado que no debemos dejar de leer

[Jody A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent research book and easy to read and understand. Still has scholarly quality to it.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting historical book. The second half of the book relates myths relating to the Templars and the Holy Grail.

[Paul Ramey]

This is a brilliant and fascinating overview of the Templar mysteries. A very useful resource.

[Marina Sinelnikova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as an overview of Templar history (part 1) and any and all esoteric theories vaguely related to Templars (part 2), but no general idea or concept.

[Taddow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read book about the Knights Templar