A brief history of the Knights Templar
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR were established in 1118 A.D. as a military and religious order, as were the Knights of St.John of Jerusalem, founded in 1092. Strictly, the Knights of St. John were at first not military, but cared for the sick, and so they were called the Knights Hospitaller. They wore a red surcoat with a plain white cross while on military duties, and their shield was black, charged (adorned)with a silver cross of eight points, now familiarly referred to as the Maltese Cross.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR were primarily a military order, and were given as their headquarters part of the palace built on the site of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and so became known as the "Poor Knights of the Temple." Their surcoat in battle was white with a red cross of eight points on the left shoulder. Their shield was divided horizontally black and white - party per fess, sable and argent - denoting ferocity to their foes. but graciousness to their friends. Their war-cry was "Beauseant" - seated with honour; their motto was "Non nobis Domine, non nobis sed nomini tua da gloriam". (the literal translation is, "Not us Lord, not us but name yours the Glory") which is usually rendered into spoken English as, "Not unto us, Oh Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory."

ORIGINALLY their main cause was the defence of the holy places in Palestine, and they became famous as ruthless and successful fighters, and they were granted recognition by Pope Honorius II. To pay for their warlike activities, they collected monies throughout Europe, and became successful bankers. Eventually they attracted enemies envious of their wealth, and led by Philip IV of France (known as "Philip the Fair", meaning light haired, and of pale complexion), they became persecuted, and accused of heresy, so that in 1312 Pope Clement V was persuaded to abolish the Order. This raid on the Templars began on a Friday, the 13th of October,1312; and since that time Friday the 13th has been deemed unlucky. The French King, who was the cousin of Jaques DeMolay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar seized most of the wealth of the Order, whilst their lands passed to the Knights of St. John. The King was never able to get DeMolay to tell him where the rest of the Templar wealth was hidden, and after five years of torture, had him roasted alive. Supposedly DeMolay cursed the king and several others who all died within the year.