Suppression of the Knights Templar

Formed in 1118 to protect pilgrims headed for Jerusalem, the Templars were simultaneously a religious and military order. Also known as the 'Poor Knights of Christ' they helped Plunder the holy land, making a large fortune which allowed them to set up what was effectively Europe's first international banking system. They provided many loans to enable various crusades to take place. Based in France, they drew the envy of the weak king Philippe IV, and his minister Marigny, who suppressed the order in 1312. Branding them 'ravening wolves, a perfidious, idolatrous society, whose works and words alone are sufficient to pollute the earth and infect the air', most were arrested, tortured and executed. Some were accused of worshipping a preserved, severed head called 'Baphomet', held by some to be the remains of St. John the Baptist. Modern theories link them to an ancient Egyptian order of stonemasons related to the monotheist king Akhenaten; he was driven from Egypt and possibly to Spain, whereon the masonic teachings were passed to the Templars. After their suppression it is said that some took refuge in Scotland (at that time allied strongly to France), and after many years resurfaced as the modern Freemason society. Graves with Templar motifs can be found in Scottish churchyars. The Templars have also resurfaced as an independent organisation, which among other things now offers student loans.