How did a group of nine impoverished knights, sworn to poverty and the protection of pilgrims, become the wealthiest and most influential organization in the medieval world?

In this episode, we peel back the layers of myth surrounding the Order of the Temple. We trace their meteoric rise from the dusty roads of Jerusalem to the corridors of power in Europe, exploring the dual nature of men who were as comfortable with a sword as they were with a ledger.

What we cover in this episode:

• The Holy Militia: The origins of the Order and how they gained unprecedented support from the Pope and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
• The Birth of the Bank: How the Templars revolutionised finance by creating the world's first international branch banking system, allowing travellers to deposit gold in London and withdraw it in Acre.
• Masters of Strategy: A look at their military prowess and the rigorous discipline that made them the elite special forces of the Crusades.
• The Fall from Grace: The dramatic events of Friday the 13th, the trial for heresy, and the brutal end of the Order under King Philip IV of France.
• Enduring Legends: Separating historical fact from the "Holy Grail" fiction that continues to captivate our imagination today.

Whether you are a history buff or just curious about the origins of your credit card, join us as we explore the incredible legacy of the warrior monks who shaped the modern world.

Listen now and subscribe to explore more hidden histories.

Read more about the Kinghts Templar

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Templar Secret Codes: Myth or Masonic Invention?

The Fall of the Templars: Trials, Torture and the Friday the 13th Curse

The Knights Templar’s Encrypted Credit System