- Hardcover: 160 pages
- Publisher: POCKET ESSENTIALS (1 Mar 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1904048285
- ISBN-13: 978-1904048282
- Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 13 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 281,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
The Knights Templar
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Product Description
Product Description
The Knights Templar were the most powerful military religious order of the Middle Ages. Formed to protect the Holy Land, they participated in the Crusades and rapidly gained wealth, lands and influence and were answerable to none save the Pope himself. In addition to their military reputation, they were innovators in banking, exploration and engineering. After the loss of the Holy Land, they fell spectacularly from grace and were arrested no charges of heresy, homesexuality and devil worship. Martin's history explores the truth behind these legendary figures.
About the Author
Sean Martin worked in the book trade for many years. He is now a writer and film-maker with a particular interest in the history and symbolism of alchemy. He has just directed his first feature film.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 86 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Knights Templar - Pocket Essentials,
By Dr. M. J. Foster (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, THE (Pocket Essentials) (Hardcover)
Details.Sean Martin's book is a good starting point from which to study the Knights Templar. Three essential points commend his book; The book is an easy read. This is not due to its short length (132 pages of text - uk edition) but due to the author's easygoing style. With some books you can struggle with the text, especially those that weave complex themes throughout the narrative. With this book, the subject matter is presented clearly and there is a flow to the text. The book gives a clear and useful survey of the history of the Knights Templar, from their foundation to their suppression in 1307. The book makes clear what we know about the Templars and what belongs to the realm of speculation. The introduction to the book explores the various images that people have held, or still hold, concerning the Knights Templar, from the historical to the speculative. The historical survey in the book, provides details such as the background to the First Crusade and the foundation of the Templars in response to a need to have at hand a standing army. Discussed is the theological underpinning by St Bernhard (who as revealed by Martin, was a nephew of one of the Templars), which perhaps in this day and age we might call "spin". The act of killing an enemy of the cross (and we must remember that Islam had overrun the Christian East - and such warfare in which the Templars were involved, was seeking to reclaim territory) was not "homicide" but "malecide" - the eradication of evil! Martin reminds the reader of the extensive European support network, which is often forgotten, that allowed the support by the Templars to maintaining the Christian nations in the Holy Land. Brought into relief is the very close and interwoven relationship with France (as part of the support network) and in particular with the French Monarchy, which ultimately brought the downfall of the Templars. There are of course some elements in the Templars history, where there are real gaps in what we know. Martin is aware of those authors who seek to fill these gaps by speculation. In the Bibliography, the books are divided into two groups; "Orthodox", and "Speculative", which should assist any reader who seeks to follow up the history in closer detail. Sean Martin however does not forsake entirely the area of these gaps in our knowledge which is known as the "Templar Mysteries" For example; (a) that the exact beginnings of the Order are shrouded in mystery - when were they actually formed?, (b) what was going on at the Templar Site on the Temple Mount - what did they find there?, (c) did the Templars possess the Holy Grail (the chalice used at the Last Supper)?, (d) what was the Templars relationship with the Arab world?, (e) were the Templars heretics?, (d) did they worship some strange head?, (e) what happened the Templar treasure and Fleet?, (f) what happened to those Templars which escaped imprisonment and execution? These questions all form the last chapter in the book. Conclusions.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Concise information about the templars,
By
This review is from: KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, THE (Pocket Essentials) (Hardcover)
I read the book and it was compelling. The author presents a mix of speculation and facts about the history of templars. The book is very easy to read. On the other hand, it is quite succint(an entire book could be written with the topics of some chapters!).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Riviting Reading,
By
This review is from: Knights Templar, The (Paperback)
I bought this book for my brother in law for his birthday. He says he is thoroughly enjoying it and would recommend it. He had been watching the series on the TV and this is what inspired him to want the book.
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