The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors

by Dan Jones

The initial intention of this little band was to form a permanent bodyguard for Western pilgrims following in Christ’s footsteps on the dangerous roads of the Holy Land. They took their lead in part from a group of volunteer medics who had established a hospital in Jerusalem around 1080, known as the Hospital of Saint John or the Hospitallers. Having received royal approval from the Christian king of Jerusalem, and papal blessing from Rome, the Templars quickly institutionalized and expanded. They set up headquarters in the Holy City in the al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount (known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif), sent emissaries to Europe to round up men and financial support and sought out famous patrons. Their spiritual guide was Bernard of Clairvaux, who helped write their rule, and early supporters included the leading crusaders of the day, such as the Plantagenet forefather Fulk, Count of Anjou, who with a little help from the Templars became king of Jerusalem.