The Knights Templar: Their Rise, Riches, and Ruin of the Warrior Monks: A Comprehensive Chronicle of the Knights Templar (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798287006457)

They began as nine humble knights.
They became the most powerful military order in Christendom.
And then, in a blaze of betrayal and fire, they vanished.

From the blood-soaked hills of Jerusalem to the fortified strongholds of Europe, The Knights Templar traces the astonishing rise and dramatic fall of the warrior-monks who redefined the boundaries between faith and war. With their sacred vows and scarlet crosses, they defended pilgrims, fought in crusades, pioneered early banking systems-and, in time, drew the envy of kings and the wrath of the Church.

In this comprehensive and richly researched account, Wayne J. Gombar cuts through centuries of myth and conspiracy to explore the real Templar story. Learn how the order transformed from battlefield guardians to international financiers. Discover their political entanglements, their legendary fortresses, and the haunting trial that led to their destruction.

From medieval battlegrounds to modern headlines, the legacy of the Templars still echoes-through secret societies, pop culture, and even extremist ideology. This is their story. And it's far from over.