Knights Templars

Military order originated ab. 1118 by nine knights who vowed to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land; named from their quarters in the palace of Latin kings on Mt. Moriah, known as Solomon's Temple. In 25 years the order was established in nearly every country of Europe, and in England before 1185. For 140 years their history is that of the Crusades. They were persecuted for alleged heresy, and many tortured and burned in France 1307-14. The Council of Vienne suppre ed the order May 1312 and transferred their goods to the Hospitalers. IMG:content-0957.png:[graphic]