Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon

The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, commonly known as the Knights Templar, was a medieval Christian military order founded in the 12th century. Their members were both monks and knights who vowed to protect Christian pilgrims and defend Christendom during the Crusades. They combined religious devotion with military skill, living under strict rules. The Templars became quite powerful and wealthy, establishing a network of fortresses across the Holy Land and Europe. Their unique blend of faith, martial discipline, and finance made them influential until they were disbanded in the early 14th century amidst political intrigue.