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Birth of Hugues de Payen, the co-founder and first Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
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Pope Urban II announced the First Crusade in an attempt to retake the city of Jerusalem as well as to halt the rapidly expanding Muslim armies.
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12 thousand infantry and 1,200 knights lead by Raymond of Toulouse stormed Jerusalem only being opposed by 400 cavalrymen and a somewhat sizable garrison of Muslim troops under the command of Iftikhar ad-Dawla.
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The Hospitaller order of St. John was founded in Jerusalem. It’s primary role was to care for the sick and wounded.
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Noticing the strategically advantage, Pope Pascal II approved of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John.
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The first religious military order was formed as Hughes de Paynes and Godfrey of Saint-Omer along with 7 other knights became known as ‘The Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Jerusalem.’
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The official founding of the knights Templar
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The Council of Nablus an order of The Knights Templar was founded in the East.
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Hughes de Payens visited France pursuing assistance from the Cistercian abbot, Bernard of Claivaux, in an attempt to obtain papal recognition.
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First meeting between Hugues de Payen and St Bernard de Clairvaux
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The Knights Templar’s rules were written and recognised under the assistance of Bernard. ‘The Latin Rule’ consisted of 76 articles of which Pope Honorius II accepted and recognised.
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Hugues de Paynes was elected as the first Grand Master.
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When finished in Europe, Hugues de Payen travelled back to Jerusalem with a large force of new recruits.
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Due to the death of Hugues de Payen, Robert o Caron is announced as the second Grand Master.
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Under Pope Innocent II, The Knights Templar was brought under papal authority meaning that they would be providing them with privileges and exemptions which allowed them to create an economic system which would finance their military campaign. The pope charged The Knights Templar with defending the Church against enemies of the Cross.
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Pope Eugenius III enforced new rules allowing The Knights Templar to have their own churches and priests. Furthermore The Knights Templar were authorised to have red crosses on their left breast of their tunics which would symbolise their willingness to die and fight for Faith.
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The Knights Templar secure their first castle at Gaza
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‘The Retrais et Etablissements de Temple’ containing 675 articles were added to the Templar rules. Furthermore Pope Alexander III declared and recognised The Knights Templar as a Sovereign Authority.
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Crusaders defeated by Saladin at the battle of Hattin which resulted in the loss of Jerusalem and over 200 Templars. In reaction Pope Gregory VIII called for the Third Crusade. King Richard the Lionheat sold Cyprus to The Knights Templar and to The Knights Hospitaller.
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Acre was captured and later became the Templar headquarters
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The battle of La Forbie was a crushing defeat to The Templar.
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Battle of Mansurah resulted in a horific Templar defeat
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The Mamelukes Sultan captured the major fortress of the Hospitaller.
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With no Crusader, the Templar’s questioned the continuation of a military order. Instead the Templars chose to become a agricultural and economic organisation, improving its wealth.
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Philip IV of France and Edward II had amassed massive unpaid debts in which they owed to the Templar. They took the opportunity in turning rumours of the Templars corruption into fact. The Pope Clement V ordered an investigation which resulted in the arrest of all Templars in the Christian West.
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The pope was forced to call a Church Council
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The Council, in Vienne proved and concluded that the charges against the Order had been lacking evidence and merit. The Order was never found guilty of any charges. Pope Clement dissolved the Templars and gave all positions and property to the Hospitaller.