The Templars
The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors
Ratings11
Average rating3.3
A narrative history of the Knights Templar draws on extensive original sources to separate fact from myth, exploring their actual work and influence, the reasons they fell out of favor, and whether or not they were guilty of heresy.
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I enjoyed this book, but nowhere near as much as his works on the Plantagenets and The War Of the Roses. I felt an absence of passion for this subject as compared to medieval English history - the absence was probably mine (but perhaps a little was his?).
A well researched and articulated account of The Templars' crucial role in the Crusades and the shocking events surrounding their downfall.
I was all excited to read this book; to finally get some details about the mysterious Templars. I acknowledge that the mandate of the Templars was to make war upon Muslims and to protect Christians but I wish the book didn't spend so much time on the war aspect. I wasn't here to learn the play-by-play of the battle tactics and what the opposing historians thought of the other side, I was wanting to know about the structure and workings within the Templars.
The book does tell you that they knew the right people with the right connections, at the right time but then veers off to the battle. It does describe the buildings they acquire/build in the east but doesn't really go into details about the running of them. There are mentions of people but only those that are in the battles.
Another good thing, for a movie geek like myself; before the loan expired I did find out that several of the characters in the movie Kingdom of Heaven were based on real people.
