THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

For those who have an interest in the Knights Templar but who do not wish to plough through an academic tome, nor to negotiate that frontier swampland where the factual leaks away over the border, then this book is for you. It is a well written and easily enjoyed introduction to the history of this extraordinary crusading Order of military monks whose account still manages to fascinate even after all this time.

Their story is told briefly but all the interesting territory is covered: their building, their banking, their fighting prowess and their continued commitment to the task of maintaining the Christian kingdom of 'Outremer' in the Holy Land over more than one hundred and fifty years; a task which cost the lives of many thousands of knights. Not omitted either is a review of their strange and tragic trials which followed the arrests of dawn, Friday 13th October, 1307.

Martin takes an open-minded and fair look at a number of the mysteries which surround the story of the Templars: inconsistencies over the accounts of their origins, the supposed links with the Holy Grail, connections with Islam - Templar officials often employed Muslim secretaries - possible heretical practices within the Order, the mysterious head which Guillaume de Gisors, the French king's official, found during his search of the Temple in Paris, and the various theories concerning those Templars who escaped the arrests, the fate of the Templar shipping fleet and, of course, their treasure - which, to this day, has never been found.

The book though suffers from its brevity: one wants to linger over the history of the Templars, to enjoy the Order's undoubted romance and intrigue, and to take the complicated diplomacy and military adventures during the life of the Crusader Kingdom slowly, step by step, in order to gain some feeling for what occurred and to become enchanted by these compelling events. This book tells the story but weaves no spell. But I suppose that some may consider that an advantage.

Poet, filmmaker and writer are but three of the hats worn by the multi-talented Sean Martin author of The Knights Templar: The History and Myths of the Legendary Military Order. This latest entry from Pocket Essentials is the third book in the series to be penned by Martin. His previous two contributions were The Black Death and Alchemy and Alchemists.

It is said that big things come in small packages and with respect to Martin's Templar offering, this saying could not be truer. Weighing in at 160 pages including bibliography, do not be deceived by the book's seeming brevity. For this book contains more information than many recent books on the Templars weighing in at three to four times this one.

With a filmmaker's vision, Martin plays out the story of the Knights Templar, scene by scene, from their humble beginnings through to their powerful status in Christendom, on through to their demise under treacherous circumstances. But just like in the movies, the reader of this book is wondering what is in store for the sequel. Sean Martin does not leave us guessing, but rather spends the remainder of the book rehearsing the many theories concerning what are referred to as Templar Mysteries.

There are few books that delve into the factual and the fanciful impressions left by the Order of the Temple. Utilizing the works of orthodox historians as well as alternative history authors, Martin, briefly, yet elegantly tells the story that one never grows tired of reading; the story of the greatest monastic order that ever was.

And the beauty of it all is that it not only fits in your pocket, but it is what I consider to be essential reading.

I guess that is why it was put out by Pocket Essentials.