The Templars

"The Templars" by Manfred Barthel provides a comprehensive overview of the famous knightly order founded in the 12th century. The author illuminates the fascinating history of the Templars, who played a significant military and political role in the Holy Land as the first Christian knightly community. In this vividly written non-fiction book, the ideals of the order, its internal structure, and the lives of the knights are detailed. Barthel describes the battles against the Muslims, the power struggles with the church and state, and the dramatic dissolution of the order by King Philip IV of France in 1307. Additionally, the order's rule is published in German translation for the first time in a century, providing readers with a unique insight into the principles and values of the Templars.