Freemasonry and the Order of

Knights Templar

 

 

 

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."

A Frenchman by the name of Chevalier Ramsey argued before the Grand Lodge of France in 1737 his belief in the idea that Freemasonry was not built upon a fraternity of Operative Masons, but was instituted by the Knights Templar. In 1118 the Templars began to excavate the ruins of King Solomon's Temple. After 9 years of excavating Hugh de Payens returned to Rome to get the blessing of the Pope upon his "Poor Soldiers of Christ." Where they really poor? Oh yes, they were under a vow of poverty as individuals, but not as an organization. After 9 years of searching under King Solomon's Temple the organization suddenly had extreme wealth. What did they find in Jerusalem?

It was in 1952 that a mysteries cooper scroll was found in the Qumran caves. It made reference to another scroll, made of leather, which had been hidden under the Temple. The scroll told of 26 tons of gold and 65 tons of silver plus other precious objects that had been buried.

Finding a treasure of gold and silver under Mt. Moriah was a great accomplishment, but could it be possible that they found something else just as valuable? It was upon the Templars return to Europe that the first Gothic structures were erected. These cathedrals and castles dotted the European continent for centuries. Could it be that the Templars found the Gothic design of architecture? By holding the secrets of Gothic architecture it was sure to make them very wealthy.

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 13th 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. There is a very strong theory that they arrived in Scotland just in time to help Robert the Bruce gain their independence from England. Rosslyn Chapel was built just a few years after the Templars would have arrived in Scotland. The Chapel has an abundant amount of symbols which suggest a connection between the Templars and Freemasonry.

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. Many believe there is an unbroken chain of Grand Masters from DeMolay up to the present. If you care to read more on this topic Click Here

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/