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A group of Christian warriors during the [[Crusades]] of the middle ages. Founded in 1118 AD not long after the capture of [[Jerusalem]] by the Christian armies of the West, the Knights Templar took over the site of Solomon's Temple and set up their base in its ruins. Led by Hugh de Payen, they soon attracted the support of rich noblemen all over Europe and were given money and lands, and many people flocked to their ranks to become holy knights.

 

The '''Knights Templar''' were the most powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages. Founded in 1118 AD not long after the capture of [[Jerusalem]] by the Christian armies of the West, the Knights Templar took over the site of Solomon's Temple and set up their base in its ruins. Led by Hugh de Payen, they soon attracted the support of rich noblemen all over Europe and were given money and lands, and many people flocked to their ranks to become holy knights.

For nearly two centuries the Knights Templar were famous for their bravery in battle, and earned the respect even of their Muslim enemies. But in 1307 the king of France decided to destroy them and steal their vast wealth. He ordered the [[Pope]] to have all the Templars arrested. They were accused of devil worship, of worshiping a demon named Baphomet whose name is a corruption of Mahomet, or Mohammed the supposed prophet of the Muslims, and it was suggested that they had become secret Muslims while living in the Holy Land. Each of the Templar churches was claimed to have an idol, or statue of this demon in it. After a great deal of [[torture]] the Templars confessed to these crimes, and were burnt at the stake. Their last leader, [[Jacques de Molay]], uttered a curse on the French monarchy and Pope Clement V as he was burning to death in the middle of [[Paris]].

For nearly two centuries the Knights Templar were famous for their bravery in battle, and earned the respect even of their Muslim enemies. But in 1307 the king of France decided to destroy them and steal their vast wealth. He ordered the [[Pope]] to have all the Templars arrested. They were accused of devil worship, of worshiping a demon named Baphomet whose name is a corruption of Mahomet, or Mohammed the supposed prophet of the Muslims, and it was suggested that they had become secret Muslims while living in the Holy Land. Each of the Templar churches was claimed to have an idol, or statue of this demon in it. After a great deal of [[torture]] the Templars confessed to these crimes, and were burnt at the stake. Their last leader, [[Jacques de Molay]], uttered a curse on the French monarchy and Pope Clement V as he was burning to death in the middle of [[Paris]].