Knights Question (1 Viewer)

[wwiibuff]

I don't know much about the history of Knights...Question: Did the Templar Knights fight battles in Europe or was it mainly or entirely in the Crusades in the Middle East? Thanks

 

[johnnybach]

I don't know much about the history of Knights...Question: Did the Templar Knights fight battles in Europe or was it mainly or entirely in the Crusades in the Middle East? Thanks

Best have a read of this - it will possibly answer your question - and many subsequent ones; johnnybach

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Knights_Templar

 

[wwiibuff]

Thanks for the info johnnybach but I had actually already read this same article and I still cannot tell for sure unless I missed something.

 

[johnnybach]

The Knights Templar only really existed for around 200 years - and were originally set up, with a Papal blessing to protect Pilgrims to the Holy Lands. - However they became so rich and powerful - they were then disbanded.

Now, it all depends what you describe as "Europe" - and what's described as "The Holy Lands". The boundaries and countries of today, are not necessarily the same as they were then - and names have changed.

The Knights Templar were originally based in Portugal ( and so Europe), and were originally mainly French - but moved their headquarters to Jerusalem - then to Cyprus (which Island they briefly owned) - and ended up in France (Europe again) - when they became the target of King Phillip - who was heavily indebted to them - and was one of the principal instigators of their disbandment - for avaricious financial reasons.

Whilst the original intention was for the Templars (named after the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem), to protect Pilgrims to the Holy Lands - such as Palestine - Squadrons of them did fight in battles on the Iberian peninsula (today's Portugal and Spain) - in battles known as the Reconquista. This means re-conquest - as much of those lands had been conquered by Islamists from around 770AD. This conquest ended by 1492 - with the Battle of Granada - which Templars also took part in.

It's all in that article - but I agree, it isn't easy to dig out the answer to your question - as many of the names of countries and borders have changed in the intervening thousand years or so. But the short answer - if you agree that Iberia is now in Europe - is ...................yes they did.

Hope that helps - jb

 

[wwiibuff]

Thanks for the summary JB. Funny thing, one reason I'm trying to find out about the possibility of fighting in Europe is that I was creating a diorama scene with Templar Knights with a castle in the background, but was wondering if appropriate to have in a more of a grass setting than desert sand setting which is what you typically see. I'll probably photo both ways, but was wondering from a historical perspective if the grass setting was even plausible.

 

[johnnybach]

Okay buddy - Why not base it around a famous Battle - such as maybe the Battle of Granada 1492 - (now Southern Spain) - which ended nearly 800 years of Saracen rule??

Maybe have a look at this link - which has an interesting pic - showing the green of the land - and even a castle in the background. There's plenty more pics available on Google to help.

Good luck - jb

http://teapartyorg.ning.com/profiles/blogs/battle-for-granada-1492

 

[wwiibuff]

Thanks for all the help JB.

 

[wwiibuff]

Here's a shot I've done so far with the grass setting... I'll probably do a typical desert setting next...

 

[The Templar]

Did the Templar Knights fight battles in Europe or was it mainly or entirely in the Crusades in the Middle East? Thanks

Read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albigensian_Crusade - Not a crusade the KT could be proud of!

An other story tells, that Knights Templars in exile, helped Robert The Bruce, fight the British at Bannockburn in Scotland on June 24th 1314. In fact a rumor states, that the KT was one of the main reasons for the victory!

 

[bradleyl30]

Read: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albigensian_Crusade - Not a crusade the KT could be proud of!

An other story tells, that Knights Templars in exile, helped Robert The Bruce, fight the British at Bannockburn in Scotland on June 24th 1314. In fact a rumor states, that the KT was one of the main reasons for the victory!

I don't have the sources at hand, but I think the Bannockburn connection has been debunked as myth. Probably confusion with the Black Douglas taking Robert's heart to Spain and fighting at Teba with the Hospitallers. Even the Albigensian Crusade hardly mentions them. I don't see anything describing the Templars as playing a major role there.

 

[The Templar]

.....I don't see anything describing the Templars as playing a major role there.

That question was not about the KT playing major roles, it was about KT engagement in Europe.

I rest my case! ^&grin