The Knights Templar and the Crusades The Knights Templars' existence was tied closely to the Crusades. When the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Phillip IV of France who was deeply in debt to the Order, took advantage of the situation. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving erroneous confessions, and then were burned at the stake. Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V broke up the Order in 1312. Portugal was the only European country where the Knight Templars were not persecuted and arrested. An example of the ring worn by the Knights Templar is shown in the category Knights Templar Rings. Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/masonicringsbyfox |