The Templars' entire story, covering the Crusades and the Holy Grail, right up to the bestsellers and blockbusters. Formed in the twelfth century to guard pilgrims on the road in the Holy Land, the Knights Templar would soon be a major military force in the Crusades and amass enormous sums of wealth. However, their sudden arrest in the fourteenth century and their leaders' execution sent shockwaves throughout Europe. Accused of heresy, the Order was abolished, but the Templars' story is still being written today. This book explores the history of the infamous warrior monks, but also the truth behind the myths and their legacy. Did the Templars guard the Holy Grail? Are they ancestors of the freemasons? The story of the Knights Templar spans into the twenty-first century as villainous knights, guardians of a great secret and the inspiration behind the Jedi Knights of Star Wars. Discover the 900-year story of the Knights Templar, from the Crusades to the fantastical myths and their legacy in popular culture. AUTHOR: Patrick Masters received a PhD from the University of Portsmouth for his thesis on the Knights Templar in popular culture. He also has an MA in Film and Television studies. He is a lecturer at the University of Portsmouth, where he has lectured on subjects such as film history and medievalism. In 2018 he received funding from the Templar Heritage Trust to present a paper at the International Medieval Conference. He has presented his research at several international conferences. He lives in Waterlooville, Hampshire. 30 colour, 5 b/w illustrations and 10 maps
