Inside the Secret Society that Fought the Crusades

Armored Templars clad in white tunics emblazoned with a red cross became important members of the military establishments in Spain and in the Crusader States Their mission in the Kingdom of Jerusalem expanded dramatically as they were granted strategic castles and territories to safeguard for the Templars had developed an iron discipline that made them the finest army of their era The Templars lived like monks praying and working according to a strict routine But in addition they included rigorous military training and organization Over the course of the Crusades the Templars were frequently on the front lines They were with King Baldwin the Leper in 1177 when he crushed Saladin at Montguessard They were at the Horns of Hattin in 1187 when Saladin defeated a Crusader army They were with Richard the Lionheart in 1191 when he smashed Saladin's troops at Arsuf