Templars

[Gene Silva]

Preston:

Thanks for the very good outline of Templar history. There are just a few
points of clarification for those interested in this aspect of the camino's
history.



The Templars, were a knightly order that took vows
much like the Franscicans.

    True, but to be more precise, the Templars followed the rule of St.
Benedict.


At the time the Templars were "found guilty of heresy",
James II not only refused to confiscate their property and arrest them, but
he gave refuge to any foreign Templars to could escape to Aragon.  He
renamed them the Order of Nuestra Senora de Montosa.

    The order's name is Montesa, not Montosa. In 1399, Benedict XIII united
the monastic and military order of St. George     of Alfama with that of
Montesa. This combined entity replaced much of Templar presence on the
camino.


 He convinced his cousin, King Denis of Portugal, to do the same.

    Some historians would argue it was the other way around, but this may be
true. Clement V suppressed the Templars in         1312. They were not
condemned, but the organization was disbanded. In Portugal, this allowed
King Denis I to create         the Military Order of Christ which was
recognized by Pope John XXII in 1319. The record is sketchy, but at  least
some     of this order's activities included protecting pilgrims along the
Portuguese route to Santiago.


In Scotland they were also protected and because of the vulnerability and
closeness to England, went under cover.  It is believed by many that they
formed the beginings of the Masonic Lodge, and the authors of "Holy Blood,
Holy Grail" wrote a book about this, called "The Temple and the Lodge.


    My understanding of Freemasonry is limited, but it was formally
established in the early years of the eighteenth century,         about 400
years after the Templars (a Papal order of Knighthood) were suppressed. I am
not aware of any academic         treatise or recognized historical analysis
concluding that one is the outgrowth of the other.

    Finally, the Templars and Hospitallers were separate orders. They were
never joined at any point in their history, but what     remained of Templar
property after their suppression was given by the Papacy to the Order of St
John. Montesa, Order       of Christ (both the national Portuguese group as
well as the Vatican honor), and St. John are still in existence. All of
them,     and several others, have ties to the camino.

        Best wishes.