In Search of the Knights Templar
Simon Brighton
Hardcover $40.00
Weidenfeld & Nicholson Publishing
Their fanatical courage and bravery struck terror and respect in their enemies. Their fabulous wealth, along with the introduction of modern banking, made them the most powerful men in the world. Their secret rites inspired rumours of heresy and witchcraft. In the Crusades, these ferocious sword-wielding monks were charged with saving the Kingdom of Jerusalem and protecting pilgrims. In defeat, they were burned at the stake. They were originally known as The Order of Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon. Today, we simply call them the Knights Templar.
The success of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code thrust the defunct ancient order of the Knights Templar into the spotlight. But where do the facts end and the tales of fancy begin and how do you separate them now? As the saying goes, history is written by the victors and the history of the Templar is one of contradiction, clearly written by those who successfully destroyed the order.
Indisputable is the fact the Knights Templar was a military and religious order that dominated medieval Europe from Britain to Jerusalem; they did so for nearly 200 years until the Templar was suppressed in the early 1300s as their influence began to threaten France’s Phillip IV and the French papacy itself. The warrior monks were rounded up as Philip the Fair searched for both their treasure and source of wealth. Philip found nothing and it is here that the knights disappear from history and enter into myth, their true nature blurred if not wiped away entirely and woven into fantasy. Yet, they still left a rich and very real legacy throughout the British Isles, from London’s Temple Church to Rossyln Chapel in Scotland.
In Search of the Knights Templar author Simon Brighton was brought up in Lincolnshire, in the shadow of Temple Bruer, one of the most important Templar sites in all of Great Britain. He became fascinated by the Knights at an early age and has pursued that fascination ever since. Brighton, who admits he isn’t a true historian, researched and visited every site and took all the pictures in the book. The traces the knights left behind are real, and many can still be seen and visited today. Brighton explains what there is to be seen, along with the history and mythology behind it; he even includes directions on how to get there.
With a combination of stunning photography, historical imagery and detailed descriptions, In Search of the Knights Templar provides not only a basic history of the Templar but also a comprehensive guide of all the Templar sites in Britain, making it perfect for a backpacking excursion.
Many history books are written in too scholarly a tone, which can make for a tedious and sometimes complicated read. In Search of the Knights Templar starts off with a bare bones history of the Templar, beginning with the accepted facts before getting to the various sites across Great Britain. Perhaps most importantly, Brighton doesn’t take any personal viewpoint on the fanciful stories or myths and just focusses on the facts about the sites themselves so there are no tales of the Holy Grail or mythic bloodlines found within.
Another strength of this work is its layout. Slightly larger than a standard hard cover book, it allows for the more than 180 colour and black and white photographs. Along with the photographs, diagrams, ancient texts, colour images of armour, and illuminated manuscripts, order seals are also included to give a very clear idea of everyday Templar life. The illustrations add to our understanding of what life and culture were like at the time and help tell the story of almost every significant British site of Templar activity.
Backed by authoritative text that reveals the history and notable architectural details of each site from the choices of pagan symbols in Christian churches to many of the arcane symbols on tombstones and effigies, the history is easy to understand, well-explained and well-detailed despite Brighton’s lack of formal training. There is already an abundance of information on places such as Rossyln Chapel, but Brighton offers interesting pieces of information on lesser known places such as the accidental re-discovery of the ruins of a Templar chapel in Dover during the Napoleonic Wars.
The various sites are broken up into regions for easy reading. London, Wales, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, the Southwest, Midlands, Scotland and more are shown on a map of Great Britain with a general description on each area.
This essential book for amateur exploration of legendary Knights Templar sites vividly brings alive the warrior monks’ historic impact on Great Britain, and sets the reader on their own path of discovery.
Hardcover $40.00
Weidenfeld & Nicholson Publishing
Their fanatical courage and bravery struck terror and respect in their enemies. Their fabulous wealth, along with the introduction of modern banking, made them the most powerful men in the world. Their secret rites inspired rumours of heresy and witchcraft. In the Crusades, these ferocious sword-wielding monks were charged with saving the Kingdom of Jerusalem and protecting pilgrims. In defeat, they were burned at the stake. They were originally known as The Order of Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon. Today, we simply call them the Knights Templar.
The success of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code thrust the defunct ancient order of the Knights Templar into the spotlight. But where do the facts end and the tales of fancy begin and how do you separate them now? As the saying goes, history is written by the victors and the history of the Templar is one of contradiction, clearly written by those who successfully destroyed the order.
Indisputable is the fact the Knights Templar was a military and religious order that dominated medieval Europe from Britain to Jerusalem; they did so for nearly 200 years until the Templar was suppressed in the early 1300s as their influence began to threaten France’s Phillip IV and the French papacy itself. The warrior monks were rounded up as Philip the Fair searched for both their treasure and source of wealth. Philip found nothing and it is here that the knights disappear from history and enter into myth, their true nature blurred if not wiped away entirely and woven into fantasy. Yet, they still left a rich and very real legacy throughout the British Isles, from London’s Temple Church to Rossyln Chapel in Scotland.
In Search of the Knights Templar author Simon Brighton was brought up in Lincolnshire, in the shadow of Temple Bruer, one of the most important Templar sites in all of Great Britain. He became fascinated by the Knights at an early age and has pursued that fascination ever since. Brighton, who admits he isn’t a true historian, researched and visited every site and took all the pictures in the book. The traces the knights left behind are real, and many can still be seen and visited today. Brighton explains what there is to be seen, along with the history and mythology behind it; he even includes directions on how to get there.
With a combination of stunning photography, historical imagery and detailed descriptions, In Search of the Knights Templar provides not only a basic history of the Templar but also a comprehensive guide of all the Templar sites in Britain, making it perfect for a backpacking excursion.
Many history books are written in too scholarly a tone, which can make for a tedious and sometimes complicated read. In Search of the Knights Templar starts off with a bare bones history of the Templar, beginning with the accepted facts before getting to the various sites across Great Britain. Perhaps most importantly, Brighton doesn’t take any personal viewpoint on the fanciful stories or myths and just focusses on the facts about the sites themselves so there are no tales of the Holy Grail or mythic bloodlines found within.
Another strength of this work is its layout. Slightly larger than a standard hard cover book, it allows for the more than 180 colour and black and white photographs. Along with the photographs, diagrams, ancient texts, colour images of armour, and illuminated manuscripts, order seals are also included to give a very clear idea of everyday Templar life. The illustrations add to our understanding of what life and culture were like at the time and help tell the story of almost every significant British site of Templar activity.
Backed by authoritative text that reveals the history and notable architectural details of each site from the choices of pagan symbols in Christian churches to many of the arcane symbols on tombstones and effigies, the history is easy to understand, well-explained and well-detailed despite Brighton’s lack of formal training. There is already an abundance of information on places such as Rossyln Chapel, but Brighton offers interesting pieces of information on lesser known places such as the accidental re-discovery of the ruins of a Templar chapel in Dover during the Napoleonic Wars.
The various sites are broken up into regions for easy reading. London, Wales, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, the Southwest, Midlands, Scotland and more are shown on a map of Great Britain with a general description on each area.
This essential book for amateur exploration of legendary Knights Templar sites vividly brings alive the warrior monks’ historic impact on Great Britain, and sets the reader on their own path of discovery.
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