Magnificent miniature hand painted in their true colors and made of lead. High quality finish and detail. On the side bottom of the pedestal is recorded identifying the figure representing. Made by Andrea Miniatures for Hobby & Work.
The Knights Templar, also known as the Order of the Templars or simply ...
Magnificent miniature hand painted in their true colors and made of lead. High quality finish and detail. On the side bottom of the pedestal is recorded identifying the figure representing. Made by Andrea Miniatures for Hobby & Work.
The Knights Templar, also known as the Order of the Templars or simply the Templars, was a Christian military order that emerged in the Middle Ages during the 12th and 13th centuries. Officially founded around 1119, their main purpose was to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the Crusades and to defend the newly conquered territories by Christians in the Holy Land.
Here's a detailed description of the Knights Templar:
Origins and Foundation: The Order of the Templars was founded by nine French knights, led by Hugh of Payens and Godfrey of Saint-Omer, after the First Crusade. Originally established to protect pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, the order soon gained papal sponsorship and became an official institution of the Catholic Church.
Rules and Vows: Members of the Order of the Templars were known for their strict rules and vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They lived in monastic communities called "commanderies" and followed a life of military and religious discipline.
Military Organization: The Templars became one of the most formidable military forces of the Middle Ages. They were well-trained and equipped, and used advanced warfare tactics to fight against the enemies of Christendom in the Holy Land.
Financing and Wealth: Over the years, the Templars accumulated vast wealth and power through donations of land and money from nobles and monarchs across Europe. They also developed a sophisticated banking system that allowed them to lend money to pilgrims and Christian kingdoms in financial distress.
Architecture and Influence: The Templars were responsible for building numerous fortresses and castles in the Holy Land and Europe, many of which still exist today. Their influence spread throughout Europe, and they became an important political and economic force on the continent.
Fall and Dissolution: By the late 13th century, the Templars fell out of favor after facing envy and distrust from the nobility and the Church. In 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Templars in France and initiated a trial against them. The order was ultimately dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312.
Legends and Myths: Throughout the centuries, the Knights Templar have been the subject of numerous legends and myths, some of which suggest that the order possessed secret knowledge or sacred relics, such as the Holy Grail. These stories have inspired literature, film, and popular culture to this day.
In summary, the Knights Templar was an influential military and religious institution in the Middle Ages, whose history is filled with intrigue, power, and mystery. While they no longer exist as an active order, their legacy endures in the collective memory and continues to be a subject of fascination and study.