Facebook X YouTube Instagram TikTok NetGalley
Google Books previews are unavailable because you have chosen to turn off third party cookies for enhanced content. Visit our cookies page to review your cookie settings.

The Knights Templar (Hardback)

History & Mystery

P&S History > Reference P&S History > Social History World History

By Tony McMahon
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 232
Illustrations: 30 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036113483
Published: 13th December 2024

in_stock

£18.75 was £25.00

You save £6.25 (25%)

You'll be £18.75 closer to your next £10.00 credit when you purchase The Knights Templar. What's this?
+£4.99 UK Delivery or free UK delivery if order is over £40
(click here for international delivery rates)

Order within the next 8 hours, 56 minutes to get your order processed the next working day!

Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates



The Knights Templar have fascinated us for centuries. They were holy warriors who fought with incredible bravery in the Crusades but were then destroyed by their own side. In battle they were the bravest knights – first on the battlefield and the last to quit. Charging towards the enemy with their white cloaks emblazoned with the red cross of martyrdom. Every young man in medieval Europe yearned to be a Knight Templar.

The reality, though, could be tough. Battles fought against fearsome foes sometimes resulted in terrible defeat with a huge loss of life. The Templars were always the target of jealousy and hatred because of their military prowess, financial acumen, and strict organisation. Eventually, their enemies got the better of them. Not the Saracens they had fought in the Holy Land, but kings and bishops back home.

The Templars were accused of bizarre initiation rituals and heretical beliefs. Many were executed for the sole crime of being a Templar. But their memory was not extinguished. It has endured. Today, millions of people still want to understand the history and mystery of the Knights Templar. Is it true they possessed the Holy Grail? Why were they destroyed so brutally?

This book sets out to find the answers.

Tony McMahon gives a historical narrative of the Knights Templar's history, from their rise to their origins, crusades, heroes and villains, and ultimate fall. The Knight's Templar was a medieval Christian military order founded around 119. Their main role was to protect Christians visiting the Holy Land. This role changed during the Crusades and they became a dominant military force. They maintained their lifestyle through donations, acquiring land, and banks. They held considerable political clout. These ceased to exist after Pope Clement V disbanded the order. The author uses many resources to craft his historical narrative of the knight's templar. He utilizes movies and book references written by contemporaries to give us a deeper understanding of who the knight's templar was when crafting his thesis. I started reading this book with no prior knowledge of the Knights Templar and this was a well-written book explaining who they are and their role in Medieval Europe. I recommend this for any budding or experienced medieval historian or enthusiast.

NetGalley, Shannan Lee

The topic of the Knights Templar has been particularly engaging to me for quite some time. I am utterly intrigued by them. I have sought to understand them since I first began delving into my own personal study on the Medieval era. When this book became available to review, I was immediately excited by the prospect of learning more. I knew I had to get my hands on it.

I found this book to be interesting, in terms of providing resource material. There was certainly an overwhelming amount of information. In fact, I would be so bold as to say that there was an overabundance of information on this topic that is very much steeped in mystery. Still, I walked away with definite food for thought. Although I wished for more visually embedded content per chapter, regarding geographical considerations and photographic information, I was generally pleased. It simply would have been nice to have breaks from the wording.

This book is for all of those who appreciate the lure of these celebrated holy warriors. In my opinion, it is best consumed in bite-sized portions. It has a read and savor flow versus that of an immediate digestion flow. Readers who enjoy digging into history's cloak-and-dagger-esque subject matters should like this one.

Netgalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This definitely rates as one of the most comprehensive books ever written about the history and key characters of the Knights Templar. It is a thoroughly well-researched textbook that gives insight into the mysterious, courageous, and well-disciplined Templars.
Sadly, such valiant knights were condemned to death as heretics by powerful nobility who were desperate to obtain their perceived wealth.
Tony McHahon provides a very useful list of references at the end of the book, which I have had great pleasure in researching further insights into this mysterious group of warriors.
I thoroughly recommend this book.

NetGalley, Peter Coxall

This book is for all of those who appreciate the lure of these celebrated holy warriors. In my opinion, it is best consumed in bite-sized portions. It has a read and savor flow versus that of an immediate digestion flow. Readers who enjoy digging into history's cloak and dagger esque subject matters should like this one.

NetGalley, Beyond the Pages with Eva K

About Tony McMahon

Tony McMahon is a broadcaster and author appearing on history and science TV documentaries such as William Shatner’s The UnXplained, Laurence Fishburne’s History’s Greatest Mysteries, and Channel 5’s Secrets of the Royal Palaces. Other books include his biography of Neville Staple of 1980s pop band, The Specials, Original Rude Boy, and the biography of British boxer Errol Christie, No Place To Hide, shortlisted for two awards. He is a former BBC news producer and lives in London.

Other titles in Pen & Sword History...