What was the name of the military order?
Q: What was the name of the military order?
A: The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, commonly known as the Knights Templar or the Order of the Temple.
Q: When was it founded?
A: It was founded after the First Crusade of 1096.
Q: What was its original purpose?
A: Its original purpose was to ensure the safety of Christians making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem after it had been taken from Muslims.
Q: How did they become so powerful?
A: They became favored by many Christians and grew fast in membership and power, becoming one of the most skilled fighting units during Crusades. They also managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking, and building fortifications throughout Mediterranean and Holy Land.
Q: Why did their success fade?
A: Their success faded when Holy Land was lost, leading to decreased support for Order. Rumors about secret initiation ceremony created mistrust which led King Philip IV to pressure Pope Clement V to take action against them.
Q: What happened in 1307?
A: In 1307, many members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at stake.
Q: When did Pope Clement disband them?
A: Pope Clement disbanded them in 1312 under pressure from King Philip IV
