The Bohemian Grove
The Bohemian Grove. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Initially it sounds rather harmless. In fact, if you aren’t familiar with the term, it sounds like it could be a picturesque little spot that might be found on a postcard in a giftshop. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. While I am sure the redwood forest itself is strikingly beautiful, Bohemian Grove is not some idyllic little town that you can tour with your family while you are trekking across the country on your summer road trip. In actuality, the Bohemian Grove is piece of land in California where the world’s rich and powerful men go to let loose, plan the future of the world, and engage in occultic rituals under the protection of utter seclusion and secrecy. This may sound hard to believe but the information that has been leaked over the years proves that there is more to the Grove than meets the eye.
To be more specific, Bohemian Grove is a 2,700 acre campground in the redwood forest of Northern California. It is located in the small town of Monte Rio, California in Sonoma county, which is about an hour north of San Francisco. It is owned by the Bohemian Club, which is a private and exclusive club that was founded in 1872. Bohemian Grove is essentially an extension of the Bohemian Club. The Bohemian club was originally founded by artists, musicians, and writers as an excuse to drink and promote e a lifestyle marked by overindulgence and the pursuit of pleasure. Not long after its establishment, the wild parties caught the eye of wealthy businessmen. It appears that they wanted in on the fun. They were allowed to join and were dubbed “men of use” by the original artistic founders because these rich and powerful men would often foot the bill for their increasingly opulent and elaborate gatherings.
In the early 1880s the parties began to morph into weekend camp outs and moved to a more remote location in the redwood forests around Sonoma County, California. In 1893 they officially began to hold the gatherings at what is now known as Bohemian Grove. The group eventually purchased the land for themselves from the Sonoma Lumber Company and slowly expanded until they owned a whopping 2,712 acres of property.
This campground serves as the location for a two-week annual men’s retreat. But we are not talking about just any men. This summer getaway is reserved for around 1000-2500 (sources did not agree on the exact number of guests) of the world’s most wealthy and influential men. While the majority of the guests are said to be white Republican men, that is certainly not a hard and fast rule. Industry leaders, powerful politicians, many former presidents, military leaders, rich businessmen, oil barons, etc. are the types of men that can be found in attendance. In summary, the Bohemian Grove is basically a summer camp with an agenda for the global elite. There are quite a few buildings and structures on the property including: clubhouses, living quarters, a spacious cafeteria and large amphitheaters. The entire estate is kept and maintained by a large staff and during the event it is guarded by an extensive security force and local law enforcement. Over the years the entrance fee and monthly dues have steadily increased. It was initially around 100 dollars to join and by the 1990s the entrance fee was 10 grand. I am sure the present-day entrance fee would make one’s head spin.
There is a stringent screening process, and it currently sounds like there is a 10-15 year waiting list for new applicants. The club is so determined to keep the group as small and exclusive as possible that instead of simply expanding the number of members, new applicants must literally wait until a former member passes away to take their place.
In the past, guest lists have been leaked by members, reporters, and others who have managed to sneak in. Below is a list of just a few of the famous men who are rumored to have been in attendance over the years:
- Jimmy Buffet
- Colin L. Powell
- Former President George W Bush
- Every Republican U.S president since 1923
- Dick Cheney
- Ronald Reagan
- Richard Nixon
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Alan Greenspan
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Herbert Hoover
- Jack London
- Gerald Ford
- Henry Kissinger
The purpose of this annual mid-July gathering has been consistently debated over the course of its existence. It has been called “the greatest men’s party on earth” by some of its members, and spokespeople for the Grove say that it is simply a vacation where they can escape their wives, relax, and drink as much as their heart desires. According to an article in the Washington post by Elizabeth Flock the purpose of this two-week getaway is “to escape the frontier culture, or uncivilized interests of common men.”
However, many have argued that there are more sinister motives at play. Mark Dice, author of the book “The Bohemian Grove: Facts and Fiction” candidly asks “Is this where the secret rulers of the world meet to plot the course of planet earth? Is the mainstream media part of a cover-up to blackout any mention of the club?” The club’s trademark is just how extremely private and secretive in nature everything is. All conversations that take place are off the record and all members are strictly prohibited from discussing what they see, hear, and do at the camp. No outsiders are allowed, and obviously journalists and members of the press are not welcome.
The media has been suspiciously silent on the existence of the Grove. In 1981, ABC News aired a segment detailing some of events that are now known to take place at the Grove. However according to Dice, “Since this historic segment over three decades ago, there hasn’t been a single national news organization that has made a peep about Bohemian Grove – at least as of mid 2015 when I’m writing this book – not even a tabloid or news show.”
While the club and its members insist that the event is simply a retreat where they are able to leave their cares behind and relive the passions of their youth, there are many people out there who don’t believe for one second that this event is innocent in nature. One woman in particular, named Ms. Mary Moore, a local activist, was unable to quell her suspicions and has spent time organizing many different protests over the years. She founded what she called “The Bohemian Grove Action Network” which was an organization that planted people inside the grove as employees with the goal of obtaining information and exposing the Grove. According to Dan Barry in his piece for the New York Times, “Call them crazy, but the protestors still believed that if you corral thousands of privileged men and throw in some fine wine and a few s’mores, they cannot help but make valuable connections and, occasionally, public policy. Ms. Moore and other Northern California activists gleefully exposed the private encampment. They publicized membership lists. They held Resurrection of Care ceremonies. They helped to slip in reporters; some returned with reports of drunken, gray-haired sophomores, while at least one saw evidence of the Trilateral Commission, the Illuminati and Beelzebub himself.” This woman’s determination is admirable, and she was able to gain and leak valuable information, exposing the Grove’s true motives, before the Grove tightened security.
Some may doubt that the members use their time at the Grove to talk shop, but the evidence speaks for itself. Here are just a few of the major events that were conceived at Bohemian Grove:
- 1942 The Manhattan project was formulated
- 1967 it is supposed that Richard M Nixon and Ronald Reagan devised a plan for who would seek the presidency first
- 1989 General John Chain, lobbied the members for funding for the stealth B-2 bomber program
- 1981 Caspar Weinberger who was the secretary of defense at that time gave a presentation that had to do with military expansion
- It is rumored that the atomic bomb was developed by club insiders
It’s very possible that the original members chose the name because of what the word Bohemian represents – it champions people who are adventurous, vagabonds, and those who don’t conform and choose to live nontraditional lifestyles. The Bohemian Club has an extensive history, and it should come as no surprise that it has its own logo/symbol, a patron saint, a motto, cultural expectations, and certain rituals that are rigorously observed. Clearly, the club has been meticulous in its attempt to form and develop its own subculture and philosophy – which is standard practice for secret societies. The same cannot be said for run of the mill social gatherings.
According to Mark Dice, “Ever since it was started, the club’s logo has been an owl because it symbolizes wisdom since it can ‘see in the dark.’ This is because the elite members view themselves as wise and enlightened beings.” In fact, a 30-40 foot concrete owl statue was erected at the head of the lake in the Grove and serves as the site for the club’s most infamous and strange ritual called the “Cremation of Care” ceremony, which will be explained in more detail shortly. The owl is known more specifically as the Owl of Minerva, who is the goddess of wisdom. It should be noted that this is the same logo that Adam Weishaupt, founder of the Illuminati, also used. This large owl statue seems to resemble the idols that people of ancient civilizations would erect and then worship. There have been people that speculated that the owl statue at the Grove is an archetype of the ancient god “Molech” – to whom the Canaanite people would sacrifice their children to.
There is an understanding that what happens at the Grove stays at the Grove. In fact, The Grove chose a patron saint who embodies and represents this very philosophy. Their patron saint is a man by the name of Saint John of Nepomuk. He was a priest who heard the confessions of the queen of Bohemia in the 1300s. At some point, the king tried to convince Saint John to reveal the queen’s confessions to him after he began to suspect that she was having an affair. Saint John refused and was put to death by the king as a result. At the Grove there is a large statue of Saint John carved from the trunk of a tree and depicts him holding his index finger over his mouth – demonstrating the shushing gesture – and once again reminding the members that they are to keep everything that happens at the Grove under lock and key.
The club’s official motto is the statement “weaving spiders come not here.” Many sources on the internet claimed that this is a harmless declaration that simply means the members are encouraged not to conduct business with each other on the campground.
However, Dice says, “but this explanation is just a cover story for the saying’s true meaning. ‘Weaving spiders come not here’ actually means ‘don’t dare challenge the members’ (or really, the ‘God’s’, as they see themselves) and is an allegory that comes from an ancient story in Greek mythology. According to the tale, a woman weaver named Arachne once disrespected Athena, the Goddess of weaving, by failing to acknowledge that her weaving talent was a gift from the goddess and not derived from her own power. Arachne even pridefully boasted that she was a better weaver than the goddess herself. Angered by her lack of respect, Athena then turned Arachne into a spider, subjecting her and her descendants to weave webs forever as a curse for disrespecting the gods.”
While some may doubt this interpretation, it should be noted that throughout history members of secret societies have routinely publicized cover stories to conceal the truth and mislead nonmembers.
The cremation of care ceremony is the hallmark event that takes place at Bohemian Grove. This ceremony begins at sunset and serves to kick off the 2-week retreat. This strange ritual consists of costumes, hooded figures, and fireworks. A man dressed as a high priest conducts the ceremony and gives a speech that encourages the men to pay homage to the fellowship of the Grove. A live orchestra can be heard playing in the background for dramatic effect. The ceremony culminates in burning or cremating a life-size coffin effigy called “care” on an alter before the aforementioned giant owl statue. When it is over the men can be heard cheering and seen passing around beers galore. While many insist it is just a dramatic performance, others believe that this ritual has its origin in occultic practices. According to Elizabeth Flock who wrote a piece about Bohemian Grove for the Washington Post “Bohemian Grove’s spokesperson calls the ceremony ‘a traditional musical drama celebrating nature and summertime.” Others strongly disagree and point to the fact that this ceremony bears an eerie resemblance to the ancient Canaanite ritual of human sacrifice to their pagan gods. In fact, actual photos have revealed that the effigy has two arms and two legs and is the size of an adult. Either these men are simply not paying attention to how this looks, or this is truly a ceremony meant to mimic a human sacrifice ritual.
During the 2-week event, there are many strange and immoral activities that take place. In fact, these activities are so common and well known that it could be argued that these are considered tenants of Grove culture. Here is a list of the most common practices:
- Urinating on trees and bushes – This is probably the most well-known tenant of Grove culture. Former President Bill Clinton once quipped back to a protester, “The Bohemian club! Did you say Bohemian club? That’s where all those rich Republicans go up and stand naked against redwood trees right? I’ve never been to the Bohemian club but you oughta go. It’d be good for you. You’d get some fresh air.”
- Lakeside talks – Lakeside talks are where certain members give talks or speeches about exclusive information not available to the public. These talks are meant to rally the men to support certain people or plans, develop policy, and influence global decision making.
- Drag – Apparently many men enjoy dolling themselves up in drag outfits during the event. There are pictures from the Grove’s former yearbooks of men dressed in drag while entertaining each other.
- Homosexuality – Former employees and members of Mary Moore’s action network reported widespread homosexual behavior. In 1971, former president Richard Nixon said, “The Bohemian Grove, which I attend from time to time – it is the most faggy goddammed thing you could ever imagine, with that San Francisco crowd.”
- Prostitutes – Since women are not allowed on the Grove, it has been reported that some men would sneak away to another lodge that is just a few minutes away from the Grove in order to hook up with a prostitute. It was also reported that the members would occasionally bring in a group of strippers to entertain the men.
It should be obvious by now that Bohemian Grove is more than just a summer camp for wealthy men. The evidence speaks for itself. Between its exclusivity, secrecy, immoral activities, and its rituals and symbols that are rooted in mythology and the occult, Bohemian Grove checks all the boxes for a cultic secret society. It is important that we don’t bury our heads in the sand and refuse to believe what has been verified time and time again. The members of the Bohemian Grove are likely connected to all mainstream media outlets and would love nothing more than for the public to remain oblivious to their secretive activities at the Grove. Let’s continue to do our research and stay vigilant so we are able to oppose evil forces wherever we find them.
Sources:
Dice, Mark. The Bohemian Grove: Facts and Fiction. The Resistance Manifesto, July 1, 2015
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Grove
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Club
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/us/28land.html
Author: Ariel Sandine Email: ariel.sandine.freelancewriter@gmail.com
The Knights Templar
The Knights Templar. What started as a small group of men aspiring to honorable knighthood in the violent aftermath of the first crusade, quickly became something much more expansive and powerful than anyone could imagine. Fantastical events gave way to stories. And those stories birthed legends and tales that were drenched in mystery and conspiracy. So, who were the Knights Templar? To this day, no one really knows for sure. The Templars have been presented as both heroes and criminals. Martyrs and heretics. Champions and bullies. Holy and perverted. Some have even gone so far as to call them protectors of Christ’s secret bloodline and believe they still exist in the shadows, secretly influencing today’s global events.
According to history.com they were a “A wealthy, powerful and mysterious order that has fascinated historians and the public for centuries, tales of the Knights Templar, their financial acumen, their miliary prowess and their work on behalf of Christianity during the Crusades still circulate throughout modern culture.”
Like many different organizations and institutions, the Knights Templar began out of sheer necessity. After Christian armies took back Jerusalem from Muslim control in 1099 during the time of the crusades, people who felt called to make a religious pilgrimage to the Holy Land began to trek across Western Europe. The journey was treacherous and wrought with danger and sadly many of them were robbed and murdered as they traversed through Muslim-controlled territories. Christians desired to make the pilgrimage for a variety of reasons. It was viewed as important, sacred, and vitally soul nourishing to visit the saint's shrines and the sites of famous Christian deeds. Some believed that God had a special blessing waiting for those who paid a visit to the Holy Land and thought that He would even grant the sinner salvation or heal them from their disease or ailment.
A French knight by the name of Hugues de Payns saw this harassment and was greatly dismayed. Determined to create a solution for this serious problem, he formed a small militia and called it the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon – which would later be known simply as the Knights Templar. With the approval of Baldwin II, the ruler of Jerusalem at the time, they set up their headquarters on Temple Mount, devoted themselves to protecting Christian visitors to Jerusalem, and thus began the Templars tumultuous journey to influence and power. They considered themselves to be God’s holy soldiers and patrolling the pilgrim route to aid and defend the weary travelers was simply the beginning for this sacred military order of men. Founded in 1119, the Templars desired to set themselves apart and therefore took vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty – the last of which is depicted in the master’s official seal, showing two armed brothers sharing a single horse.
According to John J. Robinson, author of the book “Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades” they were, “Part bodyguards, part paupers, a tiny brotherhood devoted only to arms and prayer: these were the men who became the first knights of the templar." Their popular motto, taken from Psalm 115 declared “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us. But unto Thy Name be the Glory.”
For the first ten years of their existence, the Knights Templar were few in number. The life of a Templar appeared to be lonely and devoid of comfort and so few men were willing to take the vows and give up their worldly pleasures.
While the Templars are often remembered for their controversial wealth and power, they had a humble and pious beginning and relied on charity and handouts from another group called the Hospitallers, who would give the Templars their leftover food. According to the Welsh chronicler Walter Map, Hugh of Payns and his knightly companions lived "with humble attire and spare diet." While Hugh used "persuasion, prayer and every means of in his power" to urge other eligible men to join the brotherhood’s mission in serving the Lord by taking a stand against the evil forces of Islam.
During this time the men struggled to carry out their duties and became frustrated at their lack of means and resources. It was then that Payns realized that their only chance for survival was recognition and support from the pope. In 1127 Baldwin II wrote a letter explaining their need to the most influential church leader in Europe at that time - Bernard abbot of Clairvaux. Clairvaux was well known, respected, and had considerable influence with the pope. It was their dire hope that Clairvaux would use his authority to vouch for the Templar’s credibility.
Baldwin's letter informed Clairvaux that Payns would soon be going to Rome to ask for official papal sanction of the Templar order. Clairvaux took great interest in the matter and was more than happy to lobby on behalf of the brotherhood. When Hugh De Payns arrived at the papal court, he found that Clairvaux had kept his promise and paved the way for his arrival. On January 13th, 1128 the Knights Templar gained official papal recognition and support. This momentous event turned the tide in their favor. The installation of a complex and affluent structure began, and the Templars could now easily recruit able bodied men to join their ranks. Lowly peasants were promised adventure, resources, honor, and even penance of sin for devoting their life to the knighthood. Robinson adds, “For the Templar recruits, many from rural areas, there must have been the additional appeal of exotic new lands and customs.” Before they knew it, the Templars had grown large enough to form a formidable presence across the land.
Although at the time of its founding it was developed as an order in which every free man could join, a hierarchy soon developed which was based on the medieval order of estates. Here were the various ranks:
Chaplains – the Chaplains were the members who lead the obligatory religious services and took confession. They were highly respected and had certain privileges. A Chaplain wore a white coat from the rank of a bishop, and chaplains below that rank wore black or brown coats.
The Knights Brothers – The knights brothers had to have received knighthood before entering the order. They were the ones who wore a white cloak over the black or brown house skirt and their main duty was to protect pilgrims and fight in battle.
The Sergeants – The Sergeants were a rank below the brothers and were the men who worked on farms, did agricultural work, and sometimes fought as light calvary when needed.
The Miners – The miners supported the knights in battle.
The Knights Templar was an order that blended knighthood and chivalry with the ideals of the current day monks. Their code of conduct was inspired by the monks and was strict, especially when contrasted with the behavior of non-believers. The original rules documents no longer exist but here are just of a few of the rules that have been gleaned through studying the various translations:
Rules for the Templar:
- Full and immediate obedience to superiors
- Two to a bowl – The brothers were expected to eat in pairs and share one bowl.
- Limited consumption of meat – The brothers were only allowed to eat meat three times a week.
- No pointy shoes – The original rule reads “we prohibit pointed shoes and shoelaces and forbid any brother to wear them. For it is manifest and well known that these abominable things belong to pagans.”
- Chastity/Abstinence from all sexual relations - a symbol of this particular vow was a white lambskin girdle that was to be worn at all times.
- No embracing or kissing one another - not even one's own family members. The original rule reads as “We believe it is a dangerous thing for any religious man to look too much upon the face of a woman. For this reason none of you may presume to kiss a woman, be it a widow, young girl, mother, sister, aunt or any other.”
- Not permitted to be alone with a woman or in a house where a woman was giving birth.
- Not allowed to bathe – The original rule reads as “No brother may bathe, let blood, take medicine, go into town or ride a horse without permission.”
- Forced to wear hair short and grow their beard long – This was to set them apart, to contrast them to the modern European trend of long hair and clean-shaven face.
As the knights of the Templar order matured and grew in numbers and influence, their responsibilities increased. They established a sophisticated banking system and expanded their reach by securing many properties across Europe for bases of operations. Dan Jones, author of the book “The Templars: the Rise and Spectacular Fall of God’s Holy Warriors” explains, “But the order soon grew rich and influential. Senior Templar officials in the Holy Land and the West counted among their friends (and enemies) kings and princes, queens and countesses, patriarchs and popes. The order helped finance wars, loaned money to pay kings’ ransoms, subcontracted the financial management of royal governments, collected taxes, built castles, ran cities, raised armies, interfered in trade disputes, engaged in private wars against other military orders, carried out political assassinations and even helped make men kings. He continues, “they became dazzlingly wealthy and financially sophisticated, and in due course popes and kings turned to them to manage bookkeeping, guard treasure, organize wars and raise bailouts in times of crisis.” Their power and wealth made the order extremely controversial. Some praised the Templars and looked to them as their saviors, and some despised them and believed the Knights took advantage of their celebrity status.
While at first the Knights Templar were given a very specific mission which was to protect European travelers who were visiting sites in the Holy Land, they were also tasked with carrying out certain military missions as well. Despite its other political and financial responsibilities, the Templars never ceased their military operations and fighting battles in the crusades when necessary. Their extreme efficiency and precise application of military strategy was nearly unprecedented. They learned to carefully plan for food and other necessary supplies needed to sustain long and arduous battles.
A large vertical banner could often be seen in the masses during a battle and would serve as a rallying point for the men. Robinson says, “The banner consisted of a solid black square above a solid white square, the black signifying the worldly sin-ridden life they had left behind, the white symbolizing the purity of a life spent fighting for Christ.” Templar knights were expected to fight until the bitter end. These men valued honor and bravery above all else and to retreat was seen as a pathetic act of cowardice. Many onlookers felt uncomfortable with the obvious bloodlust the Templars seemed to possess. Jones adds, “To some observers the order was dangerously unaccountable and a corruption of the supposedly peaceful principles of Christianity.”
The Knights Templar rationalized these concerns away, explaining that killing a non-believer was not homicide, but malecide, the killing of an evil one. They believed the crusades to be a holy mission to purify the land of malevolent infidels.
With each passing year, the order grew larger and gained more authority. The more dominant it became, the more it began to relish its own privacy. Privacy gave way to more covert operations which eventually lead to secret meetings, secret initiations, and secret correspondence. Valuable Information was only given to certain knights on a need-to-know basis and discussing Templar business with an outsider was strictly prohibited. The secret meetings allowed for rumors and suspicions to rise up and some began to wonder what was really going on behind closed doors. Whispers of mysterious rituals, witchcraft, and even murder began to circulate throughout the villages. To this day no one really knows if the knights were innocent or guilty of such heinous acts.
The fall of the Knights Templar order is possibly the most well-known and interesting part of the story. In fact, the end came so suddenly and so violently that it only added to the Templar legend. In the late 12th century, battles raged, and eventually Muslim armies retook Jerusalem which tipped the scale in their favor. The Knights Templar were forced to fall back and relocate several times. As they began the process of moving the order back to Europe, support for the Templars began to wane. The Fall of Acre in 1291, which was the last remaining Crusader refuge in the Holy Land, was the nail in the coffin. From that point on the Knights Templars dominion began to fade and they would never be able to regain their original strength and power. After losing their foothold in the Muslim world, the Knights Templar grew desperate and established a base of operations in Paris. However, Paris was not the refuge they hoped it would be. This was truly the beginning of the end for the Knights Templar. And what a tragic and unfortunate end it would be. There, the malicious King Philip IV of France, resolved to dismantle the order. Most likely because he felt threatened by their wealth, power, and influence. Since the Templars were no longer fighting the crusades in the Holy Land, changes had begun to take place in how the order was structured and functioned. New knights were not sent off to battle but were instructed to stay where they were, and the order as a whole began to take on a threatening posture of nationalization. This fact did not appeal to the power-hungry King Philip. Not to mention that he was thousands in debt to them from his war with the English. With the help of his counselors and skilled law advisors, King Philip devised a devious plan for the ultimate destruction of the Templars. Because the Templars were exempt from the secular laws of the land and only answered to the pope, King Philip realized his best angle was to accuse the Templars of committing crimes against God himself. He sought to accuse the brotherhood of heresy and if proven this would allow him to confiscate the property of the knights, ripping them of their much needed resources. During the following months and years, many knights were hauled off and tortured until they confessed to not only heresy but also to the sins of witchcraft and homosexuality. Since torture often dispenses a confession regardless of the truth, the veracity of these accusations remains unknown to this day.
Eventually the day arrived when the King of France sent out sealed orders to all his seneschals and soldiers that instructed all members of the Knights Templar to be arrested and imprisoned and reserved for the judgment of the church. Robinson says, “And so it was at dawn of the following day, Friday the thirteenth in October of 1307, that almost every Templar knight, priest, sergeant, and servant in France was arrested and put in chains.” Over the course of the next three years accusations were lobbed right and left at the Templars. Some even claimed that the secret meetings that had previously taken place included rituals of idol worship and spitting on the cross. While no hard proof was ever presented, countless knights were tortured, and ultimately the confessions that were acquired were presented before the pope. Nick Inman, who wrote a piece on the Templars for a news site called “The connexion” says “If it was the end of the history of the Templars, it was only the beginning of their legend – one that is filled with paradox, mystery and tragic irony and today provides a living for novelists, mystery hunters and conspiracy theorists.”
After the long and tedious trial ended the remaining knights were divided into four different categories. First were those who had been convicted of minor offenses and would be let off the hook after their assigned penance. The second were those who had been convicted of more serious crimes and would be sent to prison for a time. The third group contained those Templars who had stood up under their torture and made no confessions at all and were sentenced to life in prison. Finally, the last group was made up of 54 knights who had confessed under torture. They were to be turned over to secular authorities and sentenced to a fate reserved for the worst of the worst – to be burned at the stake. This was the last and final blow. The king had succeeded, and the Knights Templar were thus annihilated and never to return.
The Knights Templar were surrounded in mystery and conspiracy from start to finish. From their humble beginnings to their rise in power, to their unfortunate and tragic demise. The details of this infamous legend are still disputed to this day, destined to be forever shrouded in questions and controversy. However you view this cautionary tale; the legend of the Knights Templar has out lasted kings, queens and popes alike. Their legend will live on and continue to entertain and mystify the masses for years to come.
Author: Ariel Sandine Email: ariel.sandine.freelancewriter@gmail.com
Sources:
Jones, Dan. The Templars: The Rise and Fall of God’s Holy Warriors. New York, Penguin, 2017
Robinson, John J. Dungeon, Fire and Sword: The Knights Templar in the Crusades. New York, M. Evans and Company Inc., 1991
https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/middle-ages/the-knights-templar
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-knights-templar-warrior-monks-1789433