The Knights Templar was the military order founded in Jerusalem around 1119 to protect pilgrims and fight in the Crusades.
The order began with a small group led by Hugues de Payens, a French nobleman. King Baldwin II of Jerusalem granted the knights quarters near the Temple Mount, which inspired their name. In 1129, the Council of Troyes formally recognized their rule in the Latin Church.
Templars combined monastic vows with military service. They pledged poverty, chastity, and obedience, while defending Crusader states and escorting travelers. Donations of land and money eventually made the order an international institution with castles, estates, and financial operations across Europe.
King Philip IV of France had many Templars arrested in 1307, accusing them of serious crimes. Under pressure, Pope Clement V dissolved the order in 1312. Popular stories often portray the Templars as guardians of hidden treasure, but the best-supported history concerns their military, religious, and financial roles.