Dan Brown and The Knights Templar The truth and fiction about the popular brotherhood discussed in The Da Vinci Code

Dan Brown says: All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.

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

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

Why were the Templars so powerful? They had excavated documents from beneath Solomon’s temple that they used to blackmail the Vatican and solidify their position in the Christian world

Why were the Templars so powerful? Omne Datum Optimum afforded tremendous priveleges Assistance from St. Bernard of Clairvaux Excellent Reputation

Templars as Bankers

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.

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, Templar holdings were stormed and the brothers were detained.

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.

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

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