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Knights Templar Encyclopedia: The Essential Guide to the People, Places, Events, and Symbols of the Order of the Temple
-Who were the medieval Knights Templar?
-How is their name connected to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem?
-What does their red cross symbolize?
-Why were they suddenly arrested on Friday, October 13, 1307?
-What unusual relics or Grail did they harbor?
Today, as never before, interest in the Knights Templar is growing exponentially. But who were these powerful knights of the Crusades? What is fact and what is fiction? And how did they become the wealthiest multinational corporation in the medieval West?
A first of its kind, Knights Templar Encyclopedia presents in convenient, readable, A-to-Z format, the fascinating history behind the most famous military religious order of the Crusades--the Knights Templar. Written by leading Templar authority and medieval historian Dr. Karen Ralls, this authoritative sourcebook of hundreds of entries features a wealth of information on the key Templar people, places, events, symbols, organization, daily life, beliefs, economic empire, trial, and more. The product of more than a decade of meticulous, scholarly research, this indispensable resource is for the general reader and specialist alike--for anyone, in fact, who is interested in the history and legacy of the powerful Knights Templar (1119-1312).
This book presents the fascinating history behind the most famous
military religious Order of the Crusades--the Knights Templar. Written
by leading Templar authority and medieval historian Dr. Karen Ralls,
this sourcebook of hundreds of entries features a wealth of information
on the key Templar people, places, events, symbols, organization, daily
life, beliefs, economic empire, and trial.
The Knights Templar Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive view of the facts about this powerful medieval Order, A to Z. Meticulously gleaned from scholarly sources over a period of sixteen years, the encyclopedia covers key areas about the medieval Order itself, and also, other major medieval topics of increasing interest today and how they specifically relate to the medieval Knights Templar -- i.e., the Grail, the Black Madonnas, King Arthur, Templar sites, Rosslyn Chapel, key Templar symbolism, seals, and relics, Gothic cathedrals, Mary Magdalene shrines, the Jolly Roger flag, alchemy, Freemasonry, the Guilds, chivalry, stained glass, Bernard of Clairvaux, the origins of the Order, Templar archives, Assets, Treasuries, Loans, Maritime trade and ports, Farms, Feast days, to name but a few entries. Several key Appendices are a Templar Chronology of Events; a list of Grand Masters; a list of Popes during the time of the medieval Order; a list of the charges against the Templars; key Templar Sites; and Illustrations. In addition, a special 'Recommended Reading' section, from scholarly sources, under specific subject headings to further aid the reader, is also included.
-How is their name connected to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem?
-What does their red cross symbolize?
-Why were they suddenly arrested on Friday, October 13, 1307?
-What unusual relics or Grail did they harbor?
Today, as never before, interest in the Knights Templar is growing exponentially. But who were these powerful knights of the Crusades? What is fact and what is fiction? And how did they become the wealthiest multinational corporation in the medieval West?
A first of its kind, Knights Templar Encyclopedia presents in convenient, readable, A-to-Z format, the fascinating history behind the most famous military religious order of the Crusades--the Knights Templar. Written by leading Templar authority and medieval historian Dr. Karen Ralls, this authoritative sourcebook of hundreds of entries features a wealth of information on the key Templar people, places, events, symbols, organization, daily life, beliefs, economic empire, trial, and more. The product of more than a decade of meticulous, scholarly research, this indispensable resource is for the general reader and specialist alike--for anyone, in fact, who is interested in the history and legacy of the powerful Knights Templar (1119-1312).
This book presents the fascinating history behind the most famous
military religious Order of the Crusades--the Knights Templar. Written
by leading Templar authority and medieval historian Dr. Karen Ralls,
this sourcebook of hundreds of entries features a wealth of information
on the key Templar people, places, events, symbols, organization, daily
life, beliefs, economic empire, and trial.
The Knights Templar Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive view of the facts about this powerful medieval Order, A to Z. Meticulously gleaned from scholarly sources over a period of sixteen years, the encyclopedia covers key areas about the medieval Order itself, and also, other major medieval topics of increasing interest today and how they specifically relate to the medieval Knights Templar -- i.e., the Grail, the Black Madonnas, King Arthur, Templar sites, Rosslyn Chapel, key Templar symbolism, seals, and relics, Gothic cathedrals, Mary Magdalene shrines, the Jolly Roger flag, alchemy, Freemasonry, the Guilds, chivalry, stained glass, Bernard of Clairvaux, the origins of the Order, Templar archives, Assets, Treasuries, Loans, Maritime trade and ports, Farms, Feast days, to name but a few entries. Several key Appendices are a Templar Chronology of Events; a list of Grand Masters; a list of Popes during the time of the medieval Order; a list of the charges against the Templars; key Templar Sites; and Illustrations. In addition, a special 'Recommended Reading' section, from scholarly sources, under specific subject headings to further aid the reader, is also included.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2007
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150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 21, 2025
A great resource
This book contains many facts about the Templar Order, but having been written in 2007, newer information from research is missing.
Anyone wanting to find facts should consider this work as a great starting point.
This book contains many facts about the Templar Order, but having been written in 2007, newer information from research is missing.
Anyone wanting to find facts should consider this work as a great starting point.
January 5, 2019
Interesting book of references. Good for research.
June 16, 2016
Karen Ralls offers a good amount of information, however there are relatively few articles dedicated to individual people, events and places. Fortunately, the book contains a very comprehensive index.
September 5, 2007
Excellent research book for the writer who is interested in the Templar Knights. A must for medieval romance/mystery writers.
March 26, 2013
Karen Ralls has produced a great primer on the Knights Templar. If you know nothing about this order of medieval warrior monks, then this is a good place to begin.
October 19, 2015
Good book. Informative and interesting.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews