Templars Now: February 2015

There is no period in history more misunderstood than the Middle Ages. Providence College Professor of English, Anthony Esolen, vividly demonstrates why the "Dark Ages" would be better described as the "Brilliant Ages."

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Templars Now presents sound information on the historical and present day meaning of the Knights Templar in north-west continental Europe and the Levant. This region covers present day Scandinavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, western Germany and northern France.

Understanding history contributes to a better understanding of the original character of the Knights Templar, and their possible meaning today. Therefore, early 11th and 12th century history is considered especially relevant.

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Templar Key Information

The Rule of St Benedict c. 500 CE, starting point for the rule of the Cistercian Order, which was the monastic mother of the Order of the Knights Templar

Charta Caritatis c. 1119 CE, rule of the Cistercian Order, originally written by Stephan Harding, 3rd abbot of the first Cistercian Abbey at Citeaux, France. The Charter in other languages is to be found here

Primitive Rule of the Knights Templar c. 1129 CE, by Bernard de Clairvaux, abbot of the Cistercian Clairvaux Abbey, France, presented by him at the Council of Troyes, and accepted there after which the Order was officially endorsed by the Church.

In Praise of the New Knighthood (Chapters 1-5 in English) c. 1136 CE, by Bernard de Clairvaux, in support of the juvenile Order of the Knights Templar. The complete text of this work (all 12 chapters in French) can be found here

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The Middle Ages: Brilliant instead of Dark