Dan Brown and The Knights Templar

1
Dan Brown and The Knights Templar

• The truth and fiction about the popular
  brotherhood discussed in The Da Vinci Code

2
Dan Brown says

• All descriptions of artwork, architecture,
  documents, and secret rituals in this novel are
  accurate.

3
Templar Origins

• Founded as the Military Arm of Priory of Sion in
  1118
• They were sent to Jerusalem with the task of
  attaining secret documents from beneath the
  Temple of Solomon

4
Templar Origins

• Founded as a group of nine French Knights in 1118
  with the aim of protecting roadways around
  Jerusalem
• Knights were formally accepted in Christendom in
  1119

5
Why were the Templars so powerful?

• They had excavated documents from beneath
  Solomons temple that they used to blackmail the
  Vatican and solidify their position in the
  Christian world

6
Why were the Templars so powerful?

• Omne Datum Optimum afforded tremendous priveleges
• Assistance from St. Bernard of Clairvaux
• Excellent Reputation

7
Templars as Bankers
8
The Fall of the Templars

• Pope Clement V issued a sweeping arrest of all
  Templars.
• On October 13, 1307 Countless Templars were
  captured and burned at the stake.

9
The Fall of the Templars

• Philip IV the fair of France issued an order
  calling for a sweeping arrest of all Templars in
  France
• On October 13,1307 138 Templar holdings were
  stormed and the brothers were detained.

10
Did the Templars possess the Holy Grail?

• It cannot be proved if the Knights Templar
  possessed the Holy Grail.
• Baigent and Leigh make enormous leaps of faith in
  their version of Templar history.

11
What about Rosslyn Chapel?

• It was erected in 1446, but certainly not by
  official Knights Templar
• Rosslyn Chapel does have an extensive vault
  beneath the main level that has not been opened
  for centuries

12
Templar Legacy

• The Templars legend is widespread and still well
  known in modern culture.