Do The Knights Templar Secretly Control The World?

Templar Knights do, in fact, secretly control the world today. Yes, absolutely, it’s true.

This organization of monks / knights from the Middle Ages somehow slipped underground and now pull the strings behind the scenes. Of course they did. Duh.

There’s fact and there’s legend, so which do you want first? Of course you want to start with the good stuff. There are too many legends about the Templars to list them all, but these are some of the most entertaining / ludicrous:

• Templars found ancient artifacts in Jerusalem like the Holy Grail and Ark of the Covenant

• Templars discovered the sacred bloodline of Jesus and protected his descendants

• Templars worshiped an idol / demon called Baphomet that guarded them and/or their treasure

• Templars hid treasure all over Europe that is waiting to be found today (maybe by you!)

• Templars traveled to North America hundreds of years before Columbus did

Even people who don’t know anything about medieval history have heard of the Knights Templar. People think they are cool, and their logo is synonymous with The Crusades. It’s annoying that the legends about them loom so large in the imaginations of so many, because their real story is also pretty epic.

In 1119, Hugh de Payns organized a dozen or so knights devoted to protecting pilgrims to the Holy Land. Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem, granted them space in a palace on the Temple Mount, which gave rise to their name.

They fused two of the most prestigious roles in society, monk and knight. Like monks, they swore to uphold a rule and live humbly and obediently. Like knights, they were expected to fight and behave chivalrously.

The Templar Rule laid out how the members of the order should behave. It was very strict. They were to wear white robes with the red cross (just like in the movies), have very little ornamentation, and of course no pointy shoes.

They were to eat small meals, with meat only three times per week. It was forbidden to associate with women, even one’s sister. These were austere vows beyond the usual poverty, chastity, and obedience for monks.

By 1128 the Knights Templar received the blessing of the pope, and from then on, their Grand Master answered only to him. They were independent of any local ecclesiastical or secular ruler. This added to their mystique.

Most fought in the Holy Land, with a smaller number in Spain / Portugal. The fighters on the front were supported by Templar Houses all across Europe which generated funds to pay for their activities.

Because Templars spent most of their fighting time in the East, they were more disciplined in the field and more experienced against their foes than newly arrived crusaders. This made them more effective fighters and they developed a strong reputation. Saladin, sultan of Egypt, executed captured Templars because he thought they were too dangerous to be ransomed back.

Over the decades, they updated the Templar Rule to reflect fighting and logistical tactics that worked and weeded out those that didn’t. It got specific on marching like this and foraging like that. The Templar Rule became an operational military manual for its members, both present and future.

Over time, the Templars grew to be a huge supranational organization. Most famously, Templars revolutionized long-distance international banking. A pilgrim could present a coded piece of parchment to Templars in the East and withdraw funds he had deposited with Templars in the West. Yes, just like an ATM. This seemed like devilry for sure to some at the time.

While the Templars were highly effective warriors, they stood outside normal medieval authority. Local kings, dukes, and bishops could not command them, which caused resentment. Through charitable donations, frugal living, and of course their banking empire, the Templars grew exceedingly wealthy, richer than most kings. This is what tipped resentment into action.

On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France had the Templars arrested. After being tortured, they admitted to all the heinous crimes of which they were accused. Outside of France, Templars were not tortured and so did not admit to the crimes. King Philip IV seized their properties and claimed them for the crown.

The order was formally disbanded in 1312. Just before he was burned at the stake, Jacques de Molay, the last Templar Grand Master, cursed both the king of France and the pope, saying that they would both die within a year and a day. Obligingly they both died as predicted, ensuring the legend of the Templars would continue to grow for the rest of history.

In any large organization, having clear Standard Operating Procedures helps people understand what they need to do. If it’s done well, it outlines what is to be done and by who and explains why it’s important.

Work instructions are much more detailed, focused on individual tasks with step-by-step directions. They are most useful when precision and consistency are required.

Too often, leaders will try to over-process the organization, building layers and layers of checkers checking checkers, at the expense of those who are doing the work. There’s a balance between stifling bureaucracy and disorganized chaos, and good leaders must know what their organization needs to thrive.

The Templar Rule started as a way for the order to define its culture. While that culture is probably too strict for your workplace today, it worked for them. Over time, their Rule evolved to reflect policies that worked better with changes in the field.

Take a note from the Templars to give the right level of direction to your troops in the field and maybe you’ll have treasure to bury one day too.