Order of the Temple

The Order of the Temple, often referred to as the Knights Templar, was a medieval Christian military order founded in the 12th century during the Crusades. Its primary purpose was to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The Templars became known for their distinctive white mantles with a red cross and developed a powerful and wealthy organization through land donations, banking, and military prowess. They played a significant role in the Crusades but were dissolved in the early 14th century by King Philip IV of France, leading to widespread persecution and intrigue around their legacy.