The Templars: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of a Military Religious Order [Paperback]

As the oldest of the military religious orders and the one with an unexpected and dramatic downfall, the knighthood of the Templars continues to fascinate academics and students as well as the public at large. A collection of fifteen chapters accompanied by a historical introduction, The Templars: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of a Military Religious Order recounts and analyzes this communitys rise and establishment in both the crusader states of the eastern Mediterranean and the countries of western Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, reflects on the proceedings launched against it and its subsequent fall (13071314), and explores its medieval and post-medieval legacy, including an assessment of current research pertaining to the Templars and suggestions for future explorations. Showcasing a wide range of methodological approaches and primary source materials, this volume unites historical, art-historical, theological, archaeological, and historiographical perspectives, and it features the work and voices of scholars from various academic generations who reside in eight different countries (Israel, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and the United States of America).

Introduction  Part I: Rise  1. Andrew de Baudement and the Early Years of the Templars in Champagne  2. The Templars Land Acquisition Policy in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, c. 11301187  3. The Templars and the Rulers of the Christian East: Collaboration or Conflict of Interest?  4. The Templars as Milites Christi and Martyrs in Gods Army (11801307): Byzantine Saints as Devotional, Artistic, and Military Models in Southwestern France  5. Collata beneficio filii Dei militibus suis: Templar Spirituality at the Fortress of Atlit
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