In Search of the Knights Templar: A Guide to the Sites of Britain

by Simon Brighton

Beautifully illustrated with photographs and maps, this book takes the reader on an archaeological and geographical tour of Britain's Templar sites. The Knights Templar were a religious and military order that existed for two hundred years from its formation in 1118 to its eventual suppression in 1312, when its charter was revoked by the Pope at Avignon, acting under pressure from the French King Philip the Fair. Beginning in the 12th century, just after the First Crusade, the Templars amassed great wealth, and had the largest army and largest navy in Christendom. The Grand Master of the Order answered only to the Pope. Their fortresses and preceptories throughout Europe and the Levant paid no taxes. They created their own banking system, made loans, and controlled much of Europe's financial wealth. Author Simon Brighton gives a clear, visitor-friendly guide to each site in Britain.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference, Education, Research

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[E]

I received this book as a gift when it was first published.

It is a fascinating look at the Templar strongholds and their historic sites of activity throughout England.

It is filled with photographs of the Templar strongholds, castles, and chaples. Some are still in excellent condition.

Their strange sculptures carved into the interiors stonework and esoteric symbols are still a mystery in most cases.

I still open it many times as a favorite.

I had thought that I would see them myself one day, but that is something on a bucket list that will never happen.

[Jody A]

Excellent book which can work for research as well as travellog in the UK of Templar sites. The author provides both historical informaton and practical information on how to access the sites. Wlll be using this one on my trip to UK this month.

[Craig Bryant]

Fairly well written and informative. Slightly repetitive and derivative but worth the read. Definitely useful if you're interested in doing a slightly different type of tour of Britain (the repetition would be particularly useful for this).

[Sophie]

I really enjoyed the information contained in this book. The pictures were beautiful.

[TJ]

While reading Dan Browns novels I became interested in the Knights Templar. I bought this book because I thought it would give me more knowledge of the group and I was interested in finding out about some of the Templar's sites. What I liked about this book was the photography from the sites and the section on the Royston Cave. What I felt was missing was a general map of the areas covered with the sites marked on it, that way you could see where the sites were in relation to the others. I also would have liked to have found out about more Templar lore.

[Ruth]

c2006. Recommended from Amazon (I think!) Great pictures and succinct information. To my mind, more ilustrative of the general period as opposed to the Templars themselves. Some nice bits of unknown info though. As ever, with this group of people, a lot of "thought to be"s and "sugggestive of".

[Kate]

This attractive, general-interest book is full of magical legends, rumors, and free-association ponderings regarding the Templars in Britain. Useful as a gazetteer, but not recommended for those seeking a scholarly introduction to the Templars.

[Shockwave]

I was given this as a present, and it's been good to have a look to see if there are any interesting Templar sites in my future travels

[Michael]

Wonderful insight to these ancient sites scattered throughout Britain. Makes me want to learn more about the Knights.

[John]

Interesting read on the history of the Knights Templar. Awesome pictures of their castles!