This legend is one of the most prominent theories in Masonry regarding the infancy of the Craft. Most of my readers won't be interested in a detailed description of the Templars, but I will try to give enough of the facts to convey what the legend proposes. In 1090 A.D., the period of history that we refer to as The Crusades was introduced to Europe and the Middle East. The Roman Catholic Pope, aided by several European kings, had declared war on the "Infidels" in the Holy Land. The first attempt to conquer the Moslems failed. In 1103, under the leadership of Hughes De Peyon, the Order of the Knights Templar was a new chivalric organization with the blessings of the Roman Pontiff. Not only were they mighty warriors, but they were also clergymen. The Templars soon became the toughest armed force ever known in Medieval Europe. They had one great assignment to fulfill. It was their job to help guard the vast number of Europeans who were making pilgrimages to the Holy Land. They set up their headquarters on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, thus taking on the new name of "Knights Templars."

In the process of providing protection and transportation to the pilgrims, they became fabulous bankers. The Templars were doing financial transactions throughout Europe. They even had royalty and wealthy merchants as their clientele. Europe was reaping such a benefit from the Templars that Pope gave them a waiver from paying taxes.

During the last decade of the 13^th century the Crusades came to an end. The Moslem forces had barely won the war, and the Holy Land was back under the flag of Islam again. Most of the countries of Europe were left in financial ruin. King Philip IV of France had borrowed up to the hilt. One of his greatest debtors was the Knights Templars. He began to scheme. Philip devised a plan to discredit the Templars. He made accusations that they were worshipping idols, practicing homosexuality, and other sins that were condemned by the Church. Somehow the Templars were tipped off that the Pope was going to arrest them. Legend says that there were 13 Templar ships in the harbor, which were loaded with the wealth of the Tempars and ready to sail. Before the authorities could seize them the majority of the Templars had escaped, along with their wealth. The Pope had many of those who remained tortured under the Inquisition. A few broke under the intense torture, but most of the Templars maintained their fidelity

No one knows for sure what happened to the Templar ships. The most prevalent theory is that the ships made their way to Scotland, and to safety. Some of the Templars are known to have escaped to Portugal, Malta, Switzerland, Germany, and other European countries. Some stayed true to the Pontiff and were given amnesty. The point of this story is to show you that the Templars were men who were now on the lamb. They could not trust anyone. Their lives and property were in danger.

To protect themselves from their enemies they made secret pacts. They most likely would have secret passwords and signs to avoid detection. These were desperate men who had every reason to keep their business secret. What better place to maintain their secrets than in a guild or lodge. The theory that is held by many, including myself, is that the Templars went underground and they continued to maintain there code of ethics, symbolism, and rituals through either already existing Lodges, or Lodges that they founded.

This legend inspires the imagination. It seems so plausible, and worthy of acceptance. However, there is one small problem. The evidence of a connection between the Templars and Freemasonry has not yet been uncovered. The story of the Templars still remains a myth.

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES:

http://www.xyz.org/templars/

http://www.templarshistory.com

http://www.smotj.org/

http://www.knighttemplar.org/

http://www.creighton.edu/~hughesd/his409.html

http://www.ftworth.tx-yorkrite.org/Worth-KT/

http://www.knightstemplar.org/