Knights Templar

The First Crusade signified the reunification of Christendom in Europe, pushing a united Christian force towards the capture and protection of pilgrim routes to Jerusalem, Holy Land. Following the departure of most crusaders whom declared their vows to Christianity fulfilled, came about a French knight Hughes de Payens. "Hughes and eight other knights, took vows of obedience to Warmund of Picquigny; the Patriarch of Jerusalem, resolving to live in holy poverty and charity and to devote themselves to the care and protection of Christian pilgrims..." They were named aptly as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, though more popularly referred to as The Knights Templar. Organized as monastic warriors, they were a Christian military order built upon sole perseverance towards the survival of Christendom in the holy land.

For seven years since being elected, Pope Urban II was patiently pushing a reunification of western Christendom as the age of the crusades came about in Europe. However, as patient as he seemed he was pushing rather aggressively since being elected to the holy seat, known as the Holy See. November 27th, 1095; Pope Urban II desperately called for a council to meet due to Muslim threat rising in the east, specifically the Eastern Roman Empire. The Pope delivered an empowering speech to some three hundred clerics in attendance at the Council of Clermont. "Let those who

have been accustomed unjustly to wage private warfare against the faithful now go against the infidels and end with victory this war which should have been begun long ago. Let those, who for a long time have been robbers, now become knights. Let those who have been fighting against their brothers and relatives now fight in a proper way against the barbarians. Let those who have been serving