The Templars
Published on 31. December 2012
368 pages
978-1-78022-598-2 (ISBN)
Description
The dramatic, ultimately tragic history of the Knights Templar, the largest and most powerful military order of the Crusades.
'A pleasure to read' SPECTATOR
'Evocative, measured and engaging' EVENING STANDARD
Sifting myth from history, Piers Paul Read reveals the Templars - the multinational force of warrior monks, in their white tunics with red crosses over chainmail. They were not only unique among Christian institutions but constituted the first uniformed standing army in the western world and became pioneers of international banking. Expropriated by Philip IV of France in 1307, and confessing under torture to blasphemy, heresy and sodomy, the Order was finally suppressed by Pope Clement V in 1312. In a narrative that incorporates the story of the crusades and the many colourful characters who had links with the Templars, Piers Paul Read examines the question of their guilt and identifies their relevance to our own times.
'A pleasure to read' SPECTATOR
'Evocative, measured and engaging' EVENING STANDARD
Sifting myth from history, Piers Paul Read reveals the Templars - the multinational force of warrior monks, in their white tunics with red crosses over chainmail. They were not only unique among Christian institutions but constituted the first uniformed standing army in the western world and became pioneers of international banking. Expropriated by Philip IV of France in 1307, and confessing under torture to blasphemy, heresy and sodomy, the Order was finally suppressed by Pope Clement V in 1312. In a narrative that incorporates the story of the crusades and the many colourful characters who had links with the Templars, Piers Paul Read examines the question of their guilt and identifies their relevance to our own times.
Reviews / Votes
Evocative, measured and engaging * Evening Standard * Magnificent in every way * Mail on Sunday * He writes with great clarity, delineates character well and succinctly, and can tell a good story * TLS * He is judicious. He consistently rejects fantasy, and ignores the unprovable...And his book is a pleasure to read * Spectator *More details
Edition
Digital original
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Edition type
Digital original
Illustrations
16
File size
9,01 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78022-598-2 (9781780225982)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Piers Paul Read is a well-known journalist and the author of several acclaimed and bestselling works of fiction and non-fiction, including the phenomenal bestseller Alive!. He is married to Emily Read and they have four children. He is a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday, the Evening Standard, The Times and the Spectator
