The Knights Templar: Crusade, myth and Hollywood

Formed in the 12th century, the Knights Templar guarded pilgrims on the road in the Holy Land but soon amassed enormous wealth and became a major military force in the Crusades. By the 14th century, the order was abolished. Accused of heresy, its members were arrested and tortured, their Grand Master executed.
This talk will guide you through the foundations of the Templars, covering their early years and organisational structure, the military campaigns of the 12th century, the decline of the Crusader States in the 13th century, the Templars’ downfall in the 14th century and the fantastical myths that followed. Discover their history and the truth behind the myths, such as the Holy Grail and their connection to the Freemasons.

Dr Patrick Masters is the author of The Knights Templar: Crusade, Myth and Hollywood, published by The History Press in 2025. Patrick is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and received his PhD from the University of Portsmouth in 2021. Patrick also published his first book, The Knights Templar in Popular Culture: Films, Video Games & Fan Tourism, in 2022 with American publisher McFarland Inc.

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