The Templars - The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors - Dan Jones

 The Templars - The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors - Dan Jones

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Everything you have ever wanted to know about the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, but didn't learn from Indiana Jones.

A short summary:

The Templars by Dan Jones offers a comprehensive and grounded history of the Knights Templar, officially known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon.

From their origins during the Crusades to their sudden and brutal suppression, Jones traces how a small band of warrior-monks evolved into one of the most powerful and wealthy institutions in medieval Europe. He explains how their military role, financial innovations, and close ties to both church and crown placed them in a uniquely influential and ultimately dangerous position.

Stripping away centuries of legend and speculation, the book focuses on what can actually be known from historical records, revealing the Templars as disciplined, ambitious, and deeply entangled in the messy realities of medieval power.

My favorite quote from the book:

"Their mission was lofty, but the world in which they operated was messy."

- Dan Jones, The Templars

Questions to ponder while reading the book:

Did you realize that there were pilgrimages to holy sites from the very beginning of Christianity?

Should there ever be a fighting order?

My review of The Templars:

This is a thoroughly researched and impressively detailed examination of the Knights Templar.

Jones excels at clarifying what the Templars were and what they were not. He carefully dismantles popular conspiracy theories and mystical embellishments while preserving the genuine drama of their rise and fall. The result is a narrative that is both corrective and compelling.

The book is especially effective at showing how idealism and pragmatism collided. The Templars’ mission was lofty, but the world in which they operated was political, violent, and unstable. Their downfall feels less like an isolated tragedy and more like a case study in how power, envy, and fear intersect.

For readers curious about the real history behind the legends, The Templars is authoritative, readable, and deeply satisfying.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

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