The Templars: How the Order of the Knights Templar became the most influential in Europe
Templars, or warrior monks, are a bit of an unusual combination. But in the Middle Ages, there was an Order of Templars who took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These knights wore white cloaks with a red cross, which became their symbols. The most interesting thing is that the order was not created to expand empires or conquer. It was created after the First Crusade to protect pilgrims on the dangerous journey to the holy city of Jerusalem.
The idea of the Order: how the history of the legendary Templars began
The history of the Order dates back to 1119. It was then that the French knight Hugo de Payne, together with his brothers, decided to found a brotherhood to protect Christian pilgrims. They chose the name “Templars” for themselves not by chance, because it is dedicated to the Temple of Solomon, which once stood in Jerusalem. At the beginning of its activity, the order was quite modest. It consisted of nine knights who had no property, ate simple food, and slept in military gear.
History has preserved their names: Hugo de Paine, Godefroy de Saint-Amand, André de Montbar, Geoffroy Bissol, Payan de Montvidier, Arshambault de Saint-Amand, Gondemar, Rosal, Godefroy.
In 1128, 9 years later, Pope Eugene III officially approved the order. St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote the charter for it, as he saw the Templars as the perfect combination of military strength and spiritual service.
The Templar Order itself consisted of three main groups:
- knights – people of noble birth, warriors with weapons;
- sergeants-armor bearers, stewards, guards, and ordinary servants;
- priests – spiritual advisors of the order, subordinate to the Grand Master.
Absolutely all members of the order-even servants-took monastic vows. The Templars had a special motto: Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam, which meant “Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” The Order’s coat of arms depicted two knights on one horse, symbolizing brotherhood and poverty.
Warriors and monks: the uniqueness of the Knights Templar
The Templars had not only a military mission but were also monks. They lived in austerity, did not own property, and spent many hours of the day in prayer. They did not seek wealth at all, but paradoxically, their order became a symbol of financial strength and unrivaled power.
The reputation of defenders of the faith, as well as the patronage of the Pope, became the basis for receiving large donations from monarchs, nobles, and ordinary believers. In this way, the Templars acquired land, castles, vineyards, etc. They were exempt from paying taxes and duties. Thus, gradually, the Templars turned from poor pilgrims’ protectors into a powerful international community that possessed enormous resources, political influence, and advanced economic tools.
Development of the international network and logistics
The Order created special fortified centers called commandories. They functioned as military bases, administrative centers, and financial institutions. Gradually, they began to appear throughout Europe, including in its eastern part. This created a powerful network that greatly facilitated military movements and financial transactions.
Each commandery was an independent unit. However, it was subordinate to the central leadership of the Order. The task of the commandery was to ensure the coordinated work of the entire network.
The influence of the Templars on the development of the modern banking system
Interestingly, the Templars were the driving force behind the development of the deposit system. For example, a pilgrim who decided to travel to the Holy Land could deposit his money at the Templar commandery in Paris or London. In return, he would receive a special check or bill of exchange. It was with the help of this check that he could return his money in gold or silver at the commandery in Acre (the Crusader capital in the Levant) or any other city where the Templars had a representative office. The revolutionary system eliminated the risk of robbery on dangerous routes.
However, the Templars provided not only deposit services but also lending. They lent money to kings (French and English monarchs), aristocrats, and even the Pope. This activity allowed them to gain enormous political influence, as their debtors were dependent on the financial capabilities of the Order. The Templars possessed a huge capital, which allowed them to finance the construction of fortresses and some crusades.
The fall of the Knights Templar
The influence of the order was constantly growing: the Templars had not only political weight and wealth, but also large land holdings throughout Europe. Of course, this could not but irritate the monarchs. That is why the French King Philip IV, who owed the Order huge sums of money, decided not only to get rid of the debt but also of the Templars themselves.
In 1307, he arrested its members, charging them with Satanism, heresy, and immorality. Under brutal torture, some of the Templars admitted their guilt. In 1312, the order was officially dissolved, and two years later, in 1314, Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master, was burned in Paris.
The Templars and Ukraine: How the Order and Transcarpathia are connected
There are many historical references and local legends that the Templars were present in Zakarpattia. According to numerous references, it was here that the Serednyansky fortress was located, dating back to the twelfth or thirteenth century. According to legend, it was not just a castle, but a full-fledged monastic center of the order. Its location was partially justified by control over the important salt route from the Carpathians to Western Europe: the knights provided protection and took a corresponding share from each trader.
In Serednyansky Castle, however, the Templars not only devoted their time to patronage, prayer, and spiritual improvement. Here they were also actively engaged in farming: they grew various fruits, including apples, and made natural cider. They used the drink as part of their diet and also sold it to the public. Today, this heritage has been preserved. Nowadays, Ukrainian craft cider Monbarnamed after one of the first masters of the Knights Templar, André de Montbar, wins the hearts of millions of Ukrainians.
