Templars Now: February 2015

Saturday, February 14, 2015

The Middle Ages: Brilliant instead of Dark

There is no period in history more misunderstood than the Middle Ages. Providence College Professor of English, Anthony Esolen, vividly demonstrates why the "Dark Ages" would be better described as the "Brilliant Ages."

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This website intends to collect and present sound scientific information on the Knights Templar in north-western continental Europe. The region covered includes present day Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany and northern France. But other regions are not ignored if considered relevant.

Main objective is to define the present day meaning, local roots and visible traces of the Order in modern society. But history is a major subject of this blog, because it contributes to a better understanding of the original character of the Knights Templar. This original, early 12th century character seems to differ considerably from the one that developed later. The original character might very well be an interesting example for the world today.

Because of this objective, historical items mainly focus on the early years of the Knights Templar, their partners and their direct predecessors at the end of the 11th and the first half of the 12th century.

This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. See foot note on "Fair Use".

Templar Key Information

The Rule of St Benedict c. 500 CE, starting point for the rule of the Cistercian Order, which was the monastic mother of the Order of the Knights Templar

Charta Caritatis c. 1119 CE, rule of the Cistercian Order, originally written by Stephan Harding, 3rd abbot of the first Cistercian Abbey at Citeaux, France

Primitive Rule of the Knights Templar c. 1129 CE, by Bernard de Clairvaux, abbot of the Cistercian Clairvaux Abbey, France, presented by him at the Council of Troyes, and accepted there after which the Order was officially endorsed by the Church.

In Praise of the New Knighthood (Chapters 1-5 in English) c. 1136 CE, by Bernard de Clairvaux, in support of the juvenile Order of the Knights Templar. The complete text of this work (all 12 chapters in French) can be found here

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Saturday, February 14, 2015

The Middle Ages: Brilliant instead of Dark