Rural, urban and trade development in 11th century NW Europe - setting the medieval stage

"At the beginning of the eleventh century the culture and economy of the West were almost wholly rural. It is true that many of the old Roman cities still exísted, and rnoreover that they were important. Not only were they walled towns and centres of defence, but they contained the cathedrals and therefore the remains of diocesan administration.

Building the gothic cathedrals: motor of an industrial and educational revolution

 "Although the Gothic cathedrals were dependent on the availability of finance and the growth of cities, they in their turn produced a massive transformation of the organization of labor, resources, and knowledge. Groups of tradesmen, masons, sculptors, carpenters, glaziers, smiths, and tilers began to develop. The start of an "industrial revolution".

The real estate agents of the Knights Templar

When they established themselves in certain Provençal towns, the military orders sought to rely on some urban knights by entrusting them with the task of making acquisitions for the benefit of the commanderies in formation. A practise which continued later. What did these "real estate agents" do?

The stables of King Solomon at Jerusalem

"They have under their palace stables for their horses built by King Solomon himself in the old days and connected to their palace, a wondrous and intricate building resting on pillars and endless arches and vaults. 

Commemoration of the 709th anniversary of the death of Jacques de Molay

On March 18, 2023 we commemorate the 709th anniversary of the death of the last official Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay. However, according to Alain Demurger and others the most probable date of the execution was March 11, 1314.

De Molay, born between 1244-1249, was put to death in Paris by the King of France. He was the 23rd and last Grand Master of the Knights Templar although at the time he was simply indicated as the Master from Outremer. He lead the Order from April 20, 1292 until it was dissolved by order of Pope Clement V in 1307. What is known of his last moments?

A new Scottish version of the Templar Rule - fact or fake?

News on a new version of the Rule, especially one supposed to be written by a Scotsman, deserves some attention. Therefore Templars Now performed a quick scan on a Facebook post (consulted February 11, 2023) that goes as follows: "A unique 12th Century Scottish Version of the Knights Templar Latin Rule. Its title is called, 'Regula Pauperum Commilitonum Christi Templique Salommonci.' It was written by Johannes Michaelensis, a resident of Albanensis, Alba (Scotland)." An intriguing post that triggered a TN quick scan. The results.

Building Chartres Cathedral - a laboratory with Templates, String, and Geometry

"The construction of the Gothic cathedrals, such as Chartres, poses a number of questions. As a consequence of their presuppositions about distinctions between science and technology and the nature of theory and practice, many authors answer these questions in a way that makes the process seem mysterious and radically different from "modern" construction and design. What are the facts?

Disease in the Near East during crusader times

"The study of disease in the past, termed paleopathology, can involve the analysis of human skeletal remains, mummies, latrine soil, artwork, excavated medical equipment and written texts. In the areas of the Near East where the crusades took place from 1099-1291, the human skeletal remains and latrines at a number of sites have been studied for evidence of disease." What were the findings? 

Papal bulls on Templar matters

Between September and November 2022 Diego Wesley Nogueira published a series of three posts in Portugese on the Facebook Group UNIVERSO TEMPLÁRIO SMOTH-MIT listing Papal Bulls pertaining to the Knights Templar. These lists surpass in length the list of seven Papal Bulls given below, which are usually mentioned in the context of the Templars, although longer lists exist also:

• Omne Datum Optimum (1139)
• Milites Templi (1144)
• Militia Dei (1145)
• Pastoralis Praeeminentiae (1307)
• Faciens Misericordiam (1308)
• Ad Providam (1312)
• Vox In Excelso (1312)

Diego Wesley Nogueira provides no sources, so the validity of the lists cannot be verified. However, the sheer length of the lists suggests ample research. Thus further distribution of the lists is thought justified as the data might be of interest to specialised researchers who can confirm of falsify the suggestion of their comprehensiveness.

The three complete lists, published in Portugese on Facebook on different dates, are presented below in their automatically generated English translation, as provided bij Facebook. Obviously the automatic translation contains errors but is presented here as is. The original posts in Portugese can be reached following the links provided. TemplarsNow fully acknowledges the work of Diego Wesley Nogueira and only republishes in order to promote further distribution of these interesting lists.