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Knights Templar Timeline

his is a timeline of events in which the Knights Templar took a part.

Cressing Temple

ressing Temple is situated in Essex three miles north of Witham. The site was given to the Knights Templars in 1137 by Matilda, wife of King Stephen, who they helped to the throne. The estate could have been quite large, incorporating several mills, markets and a annual fair. The only remains from that time are two barns and a stone well.

In 1312 after the suppression of the Templars, the site was handed over to the Knights Hospitallers. During the Peasant's Revolt of 1381 on 10th June, Cressing was stormed by the rebels which at the time was owned by Sir Robert Hales, the Master of the Hospitallers and also Treasurer of England. The valuables of Cressing were removed and the buildings destroyed, apart from the barns. Hales was executed several days later after being removed from the Tower of London.


Timeline

1114

The Count of Champagne was preparing to travel to the Holy Land when he received a letter from the bishop of Chartres. The letter stated that the count was planning to join 'la milice du Christ' (the original name for the Templars ?). This seems to indicate that the order existed at this time, as the letter speaks of chastity, something not usually expected of a Crusader.

1119

Knights Templar order founded in Jerusalem, by Hughes de Payen. [1]

1125

Hugh of Champagne joins the Templars. [1]

1126

Hughes de Payen travels west to obtain more authority of the Order. [1]

1128

During late 1128 and early 1129, Hughes de Payen visited both Scotland and England where he was apparently donated both land and money. At this time, in London, the original Temple in Holborn outside Holborn bars was built. It consisted of gardens, orchard, boundary ditch and cemetery, and was the first round church. In 1161 the site was moved to the New Temple between Fleet street and the Thames. [1]

1138

This wealthy manor was given to the Knights Templar by Matilda, wife of King Stephen for their help getting Stephen to the throne. Later, the site was given to the Hospitallers when the Templars were suppressed. [2]

1139

A Papal Bull issued by Pope Innocent II, a former Cistercian monk and protégé of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, stated that the Knight Templars should owe allegiance to no one other than the Pope himself. This meant that the Templars answered to no one not even Kings or other political or religious authorities. [3]

1146

The Knights Templars adopted cross pattee; a splayed red cross. [3]

1187

The Christian Army of Jerusalem was beaten by Turkish forces at the Battle of Hattin. Guy of Lusignan was King of Jerusalem at this time. All Knights Templars and Hospitallers who survived the battle were executed afterwards. The Archbishop of Tyre, a man called Josias, was dispatched from the city to Europe to inform the Pope and European leaders of the disaster that had taken place and to ask for help. [4]

1307

King Philippe of France ordered the arrest of all Knight Templars in France. The order to arrest the Templars was sent out several weeks before the date possibly giving the Templars time to hide their wealth. [1]

1314

Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master of the Templars and Geoffroi de Charney were taken to an island on the River Seine and burnt at the stake. Jacques de Molay declaring their innocence and that the Templar Order were also innocent of all of the changes that they had been accused of. It is said that Jacques de Molay predicted the deaths of both the French king and Pope Clement within the year. [1]

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Selection of references used:

  • 1: Edward Burman, The Templars, Knights of God, ISBN:0-85030-396-6, Erdington Library (271.79)
  • 2: John J. Robinson, Born in Blood, ISBN:0-87131-602-1, M. Evans & Company / New York, Geoff Bath
  • 3: Micheal Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln, The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, Geoff Bath
  • 4: John Gillingham, The Life and Times of Richard I, 1974, George Weidenfeld and Nicholson Limited (1974)

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