The Templar Code For Dummies

The Templar Code For Dummies

Despite their dissolution 700 years ago, the legendary warrior monks of the Knights Templar have captivated imaginations right up through today. Templars appear in novels like Walter Scott's Ivanhoe and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code , video games like Assassin's Creed , movies like Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven , and most recently, the History network miniseries,  Knightfall . Now you can discover the truth of this mythic brotherhood of medieval knights in The Templar Code For Dummies . You'll find the full story of the rise and fall of the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, from their humble start on the road to Jerusalem guarding pilgrims, to their meteoric climb as the most powerful military and political force in the Holy Land and Europe, their role as the first international bankers, and their subsequent plummet from grace and influence to total destruction--all in just the two hundred short years of the 12th and 13th centuries. You'll read how they were formed, their unique mission, their special international status answerable only to the Pope, how they lived their lives, and why they eventually were destroyed by the King of France. And then, there was their vast treasure. On the way, you'll get a crash course in the history of the Crusades and the flashpoint of Jerusalem and the Middle East that continues even today. You'll also discover the origins of the Holy Grail myth and the proliferation of sacred relics throughout the Middle Ages; the rise and suppression of Gnosticism and other heresies; the Mary Magdalene black Madonna cults; Baphomet and the accusations of witchcraft, idolatry, sodomy, and heresy against the Templars; the very real plots of King Philip IV (the Fair) and his hatchet man, Guillaume de Nogaret that unfolded against Pope Boniface VIII, successor Clement V, the Jews and the Lombards in France, and finally, the Knights Templar themselves; famous real and alleged Templar historical sites like London's Templar Church, Rennes-le-Château, what remains of Paris' Temple and execution sites, and Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel; and much, much more. There's also detailed discussion of where they may have fled in the wake of the fateful mass arrests all across France on October 13, 1307.  You'll also find the modern day connections to the Templars, along with organizations that claim descent from them. It also explores the surprising part the Templars may have played in some of the most important historic events of these past seven centuries, including the French Revolution, the birth of groups such as the Freemasons, and even the American Civil War. All in one comprehensive, easy to understand guide. Written by Christopher L. Hodapp, author of the best-selling Freemasons for Dummies , and Alice Von Kannon. (E)verything you would ever want to know about the Templars is laid out in the freewheeling but accessible "Dummies" style to which Hodapp and Von Kannon are becoming very well accustomed. --Nathan Brindle, The Indiana Freemason Magazine "(A) wonderful book on the history of the Templars and the crusades..." --Stephen Dafoe, author of 'Nobly Born' "If you've ever read works about the Templars before and felt like you'd just asked a question of one of the blind men describing an elephant, then this is certainly the book for you." --Ed King, Maine Masonic College Follow the quest for the Holy Grail and its link to the Templars Explore the legends and lore of this powerful, influential society Did The Da Vinci Code leave you hungry for more details about the Knights Templar? This plain-English guide explains who these mysterious figures were, how they rose so high, and why they fell so far. You'll explore Christian theories that involved the order and discover the role they played in important events, such as the French Revolution and the Civil War. How Knights lived their lives - What led to the demise of the order - The Templars' relationship to other secret societies - What became of the fabled Templar treasure - Who the modern-day Templars are Follow the quest for the Holy Grail and its link to the Templars Explore the legends and lore of this powerful, influential society Did The Da Vinci Code or Knightfall leave you hungry for more details about the Knights Templar? This plain-English guide explains who these mysterious figures were, how they rose so high, and why they fell so far. You'll explore Christian theories that involved the order and discover the role they played in important events, such as the French Revolution and the Civil War. How Knights lived their lives - What led to the demise of the order - The Templars' relationship to other secret societies - What became of the fabled Templar treasure - Who the modern-day Templars are Christopher L. Hodapp  is the Editor Emeritus of the "Journal of The Masonic Society" and the president of the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana. He is the author of the best-selling