HIST OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS PA

The history of the Knights Templars is a remarkablestory of triumphs and defeats, marked with controversies and tragedy. From their rise to their demise, CharlesGreenstreet Addison captivatingly chronicles the various characters that playeda role in shaping this powerful military order that reigned for almost twocenturies during the Middle Ages. Having examined scores of documents and texts, and traveledto many of the ruined fortresses and castles of the order, Addison was an experton the Templars' history. He insightfully details their plight in this volume,first published in 1842. Starting with the origins of the brotherhood, thefoundations and ideals of the order, and their chosen symbol of the red cross,the author explains their role in protecting pilgrims traveling to the HolyLand, their feats during the Crusades, the relationships they held with variouskings and church leaders, their contributions to protecting Europe from Turkishconquest and preserving Christianity in Europe and Asia, and their tragic end: strippedof their lands, tortured, and burned at the stake. Addisonprovides a clear and comprehensible account of this great religious andmilitary fraternity of knights and monks that will engross anyone interested intheir history and the Middle Ages.