The Augustinian canons of the Holy Sepulcher - stepping stone of the Templars

The election of Pope Leo XIV, a former Augustinian canon, has drawn renewed attention to the historical role of the Augustinian tradition within the Church. There is an often overlooked foundational influence on the origin, spiritual identity and structure of the medieval military orders. More particular, in the aftermath of the First Crusade (1096-1099) the Hospitallers as well as the proto-Knights Templar maintained a special relationship with Augustinian canons of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The characteristics of the Jerusalem Augustinian canons seem to have inspired the special character of the juvenile Templar Order. 

Did the medival Templars celebrate Pentecost?

The liturgical life of the Knights Templar during the Middle Ages is illuminated by their Rule, statutes, manuscript breviaries/ordinals, and commandery inventories. What is known on theTemplars celebrating Pentecost?

A probable Templar location at Groessen, The Netherlands

In Groessen, Tempelstraat (Temple-street) runs from Dorpstraat close to the church with an angle to Kerkakkers, formerly Leuvensestraat. Not far south from the intersection Tempelstraat-Kerkakkers is the farm ‘De Tempel’, which obviously does not date from medieval times. The name is written on the facade. At a corner in Tempelstraat, another road connects, which goes by the name Commendereijstraat. These toponyms suggest that there was once a Templar settlement at Groessen. What are the facts?

Clairvaux Abbey - 910 years old

The abbey of Clairvaux (today at the commune of Ville-sous-La-Ferté, in the Aube Department, France), the third daughter of the Cistercian abbey of Cîteaux, was founded in the summer of 1115 (according to legend on 25 June 1115) by the Cistercian monk Bernard de Fontaine, the later Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). Bernard had been sent, with twelve other monks, to the site by the abbot of Citeaux Abbey. That means that this year the Abbey celebrates its 910th birthday.

The re-organization of the Papacy in the 12th and 13th Century

The 12th and 13th centuries were transformative periods for the papacy, marked by significant administrative reforms, increased political power, and theological developments. This era witnessed the papacy consolidating its influence over both ecclesiastical and secular realms. The organization of the papacy during this time set the foundations for its role in the subsequent centuries.

Saint Denis - blueprint of the Gothic cathedrals in France

The first appearance of what can truly be considered ‘Gothic’, both in architecture and sculpture, is attributed to the rebuilding of the royal abbey church of St. Denis, located a few miles north of Paris. St Denis basilica preceeded the Chartres cathedral, better known by the general public, by about half a century. How did the Saint Denis basilica trigger the gothic architecture in France?

André de Montbard - co founder of the Knights Templar

André de Montbard (5 November ca 1097 or 1103 -17 October 1156) was the fifth (Grand) Master of the Knights Templar and also one of the early members, if not one of the founders of the Order. His life, which started and ended in Burgundy, France, shows a remarkable link between the Templars and the Cistercian Order. André even ended his life at Clairvaux as a Cistercian monk, together with another former Master, Evrard des Barres. What are the details?

A probable Templar location at De Bijvanck, Beek, The Netherlands

Estate De Bijvank in Beek, Montfoort municipality, is a centuries-old estate, which currently consists mainly of forest. It is known for its natural beauty, including its romantic lanes. Centrally located is a hunting lodge, which in its current form dates from around 1792. Near the hunting lodge, there is an elevation in the forest surrounded by a circular moat, popularly called ‘The Castle’ or ‘The Rondeel’. Tradition has it that this was an establishment of the Knights Templar. The Bijvanck estate is now managed by Natuurmonumenten (the Dutch National Trust) and, except for the part around the manor house, is freely accessible.

The last Templar stands - Sidon and Cyprus

On the 28th of May, 1291, the Templar fortress of Acre fell to the Mamluks. All of its inhabitants were killed. After Acre fell, the rest of the Templar fortresses quickly evacuated. There were no more troops with which to defend them. With the desertion of  Atlit, the Templars' great castle on the coast, the Franks were driven completely out of Palestine. What happened then?

A Templar location at Chaam, The Netherlands

The Templar Order owned a farmstead and a right to tithes at Chaam. This property was administered from the Ter Brake commandery in Alpen.

Are the blue stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral Templar?

The blue stained glass windows of Chartres Cathedral are renowned for their vibrant colour. They were coloured using a mineral containing cobalt, which is responsible for imparting the deep blue hue. What is known on the origin of the mineral and the colouring proces? And had the Templars something to do with this?

Commemoration of the 711th anniversary of the death of Jacques de Molay

On March 18, 2025 we commemorate the 711th 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 1312. What is known of his last moments?

A Templar location at Breda, The Netherlands

In the town of Breda, the Netherlands, the Templars are said to have built a chapel on the corner of what are now the Halstraat and the St. Jansstraat. Only limited information is available. 

The 12th century school of Chartres - mathematics and geometry keys to beauty and aesthetics

 

"The Renaissance of the 12th century is maybe even more interesting to study than the ‘Renaissance’ most people are familiar with. The Cathedral school of Chartes was the most famous of the Medieval cathedral schools and precursor to the University of Paris that was founded in 1150. What was the main impact of the School of Chartres?

Templar seals - insights into identity, spirituality, and evolution

The Knights Templar of the Middle Ages were not only warriors but also deeply spiritual figures. A study of more than 500 seals used by the Templars and other Orders provides a fascinating exploration of how the Templars used seals as both legal tools and spiritual symbols. In what way were these seals more than just marks of authentication, and did they reflect the beliefs, hierarchy, and mission of the order?

A Templar location at Beuningen, the Netherlands

Mansion De Oude Tempel (The Old Temple) or Olden Tempel is a national monument in Beuningen in the Dutch province of Gelderland. The house was built in 1839 as a country house by the Van het Lindenhoud family on the site of what is said to have been a former castle. Older predecessors are known. Is there proof of a former Templar presence, as suggested by the toponym?

On German and East European participation in the Crusades

French nobility played a dominant part in the crusading movement. It was, after all, in 1195 at Clermont-Ferrand, France, that Pope Urban II rallied French secular and clerical nobles to engage in the first armed pilgrimage to free Jerusalem of 1196-1199. At the same time during the 13th centuries, German and Eastern European noble families also played a significant role in supporting the Crusades to the Holy Land. However, after the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221), the number of German nobles participating in such campaigns declined sharply and never recovered. What were important factors that led to this decline?

The administrative and legal development of medieval Papal supremacy

The 12th and 13th centuries were marked by the expansion of papal authority, alongside the development of papal administrative prowess. The most notable expression of this was the development of the concept of papal supremacy, which held that the pope had authority over all Christians, including secular rulers. 

Environmental problems in the Medieval world

There is a common misconception that the medieval period (8th–15th centuries) was stagnant in terms of technological and environmental development. Contrary to this medieval societies, both in the West and the East, faced significant ecological challenges, including deforestation, air and water pollution, and resource depletion resulting from population growth, that in turn followed climatic warming.

The Templar site at Averlo, the Netherlands

In Averlo, on the road that runs west of the Overijssels Kanaal, lies the farm “ De Tempel”. It is a T-farm, which in its current form probably dates from the eighteenth century. It is a listed building. The residents are sometimes called “ Tempelman ”, although their actual name is different. Incidentally, the family name “Tempelman” is common in the wider area. Is there a Templar connection?

The Nablus Council, January 1120 - secular recognition of the Templar Order

On January 16, 1120 the Council of Nablus was held in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. This  council of ecclesiastic and secular lords of the Kingdom was convened by Warmund, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and King Baldwin II of Jerusalem. The council established twenty-five canons (decrees) dealing with both religious and secular affairs. As such it provided the first written laws for the kingdom. Therefore the Council can be considered both a parliament and an ecclesiastical synod. What did the (proto-)Templars have to do with this?

The Profound Transformation of Templar Knights

Profound changes occurred when lay knights became members of the religious-military order of the Knights Templar. What were the key aspects of these internal and external transformations?