The Knights Templar were one of the most important and influential orders in history. From monks to holy knights to even politicians, the Templar had influence everywhere.
But what EXACTLY did they do? A thread.
The Knights Templar were founded in the year 1119 at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Upon their inception, they were merely a handful of dedicated soldiers, but as the years pass they would grow into a juggernaut.
In the aftermath of the First Crusade, the Church became concerned over the safety of their pilgrims both on the road to the holy land and in Jerusalem itself because of raiding parties attacking travelers
The Templars were founded and charged to protect the roads to Jerusalem
Due to their service and dedication to the protection of pilgrims, King Baldwin II of Jerusalem gave the knights quarter in the Royal Palace, the former area of the Temple of Solomon.
One of the most notorious battles in the history of the Templars was the Battle of Montgisard on November 25th, 1177.
Templars, led by the legendary King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem engaged in battle with the Muslim army led by Saladin
Saladin was marching towards the city of Jerusalem but Baldwin IV was keen on intercepting him before he was able to reach the city.
They met Saladin's forces. Baldwin's army consisted of 375 knights, including 80 templars, full forces are estimated to be around 7,000
The number of soldiers under command of Saladin is greatly disputed. William of Tyre reported his forces to be around 26,000 which is documented as being "greatly exaggerated".
Saladin believed that King Baldwin would not pursue his forces given the large disparity in soldiers, however Baldwin continued behind Saladin.
Saladin after believing the king would not follow, had spread his army thin throughout the surrounding countryside
After converging on the weakened Muslim forces. Saladin's army panics to create a formation after being surprised at the Christian arrival.
Baldwin's army charges into the lines of Saladin's army and inflicts heavy casualties, a crushing defeat for Saladin.
Due to heavy costs of operation and financing a crusade, the Knights Templar also created the worlds first international banking system. Offering loans and the ability for pilgrims to store money, goods and other items.
All in all, the Knights Templar were a massively important organization that shaped Europe over the centuries into what it would eventually become today.
Had they never existed, the world may look far different.
Thank you for reading my thread! If you enjoyed todays lesson, feel free to follow me as I will be making it my mission to do one of these every single day. Thank you very much!
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
In around the year 1060, in modern day Belgium in the county of Flanders, one of the greatest knights in history was born.
He would grow up to be a hero of the first crusade, a hero of Christendom, a warrior unlike any other.
This is the story of Godfrey of Bouillon. 🧵
Godfrey of Bouillon, born around 1060, was the second son of Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, and Ida, daughter of the Lotharingian duke Godfrey the Bearded.
His birthplace is likely Boulogne-sur-Mer, though some sources suggest Baisy, in modern day Belgium.
In 1076, Henry IV, future Holy Roman Emperor, deemed the duchy too critical to entrust entirely to Godfrey. Instead, Henry gave Lower Lorraine to his own son, allocating Bouillon and the Margraviate of Antwerp to Godfrey as a test of how loyal Godfrey would truly be.
Godfrey proved his allegiance by supporting Henry during the Investiture Controversy, fighting against Rudolf of Swabia, and participating in the capture of Rome.
In the shadow of Notre Dame, King Philip IV of France, orchestrated the downfall of the Knights Templar.
With a relentless hand, he seized their wealth and shattered their power, casting the order into chains on a fateful day in 1307. Many meeting a fiery end.
A Thread 🧵
The Knights Templar were founded in the year 1119 at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
The Templars upon creation were a small order with only a handful of knights but as time went on it would grow drastically and become a force across Europe.
After the conclusion of the First Crusade, the roads to Jerusalem became dangerous for travelling merchants and pilgrims alike due to Muslim raiding parties.
The Church would seek to remedy this with the founding of an order of dedicated warriors to protect those pilgrims.
On this day, August 22, 1485, England's fate hanged by a thread as two rival kings prepared to clash on the fields of Bosworth.
Richard III, the final Plantagenet king, rode to defend his crown against the upstart Henry Tudor.
In the 15th century, England was fighting a civil war known as the Wars of the Roses, where the Houses of York and Lancaster fought for the English throne.
In 1471, the Yorkists secured a big victory by defeating the Lancastrians at the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury, leading to the deaths of King Henry VI and his son, Edward of Westminster.
This event left the House of Lancaster without direct heirs, and the Yorkist Edward IV became the undisputed ruler of England.
He declared Lancastrian supporters like Jasper Tudor and his nephew Henry Tudor as traitors and confiscating their lands. The Tudors fled to Brittany, where Duke Francis II provided them with protection.
Pierre Terrail, known as Chevalier de Bayard, a man who's resolve was unyielding.
Praised by his contemporaries for his gaiety and kindness he was "The Good Knight."
Fearless and unwavering in battle, he'd be remembered as the knight without fear and beyond reproach 🧵
Bayard, a descendant of a noble French family with a strong military tradition, was born at Château Bayard in Dauphiné, near Pontcharra in southern France.
His family had a history of sacrifice in battle, with three generations of his Terrail ancestors falling in combat from 1356 to 1465.
Bayard began his career as a page to Duke Charles I of Savoy, but in 1490, the Duke passed away.
At just thirteen, Bayard impressed King Charles VIII of France with his exceptional horsemanship during a display for the Duke of Savoy, earning him the nickname "piquet" which means spur