Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – From once being one of the most wealthy and powerful Western Christian military orders, life changed dramatically for the Knights Templar in 1307. Suddenly members of the Brotherhood realized they were accused of terrible crimes and must hide their possession and seek refuge in safe lands.
The Knights Templar started as poor monks, but soon their assets began to grow, and with time, the Order became wealthy and powerful. In just 200 years, the Knights Templar successfully created the most important Christian organization in the world. Admired and feared, the knights fought in the name of the Christian Cross, eliminating infidels and heretics.
“Their success on the battlefield in the Holy Land earned them fame and glory. The Knights Templar became extraordinarily rich but being wealthy often attracts jealously and resentment. As their power and wealth grew, many kings and even the Pope himself were in debt to them. It was not easy to cancel the debt, and the Knights Templar became a problem.
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