Who were the medieval Knights Templar ? How is their name connected to Solomon's Tlemple in Jerusalem? What does their red cross symbolize? Why were they suddenly rested on Friday, October 1, 1307 ? What unusual relics or Grail did they harbor?
A first of its kind, Knights Templar Encyclopedia presents in convenient, readable, A-to-Z format, the fascinating history behind the most famous military religious Order of the Crusades - the Knights Templar. Written by leading Templar authority and medieval historian Dr. Karen Ralls, this authoritative sourcebook of hundreds of entries features a wealth of information on the key Templar people, places, events, symbols, organization, daily life, beliefs, economic empire, trial, and more. The product of more than 16 years of meticulous, scholarly research, this indispensable resource is for the general reader and specialist alike-for anyone, in fact, who is interested in the history and legacy of the powerful Knights Templar (1119-1312).
Karen Ralls. Ph.D., medieval historian, religious studies scholar, and international lecturer, was postdoctoral fellow at the Universit of Edinburgh for six years before continuing her specialist research in Oxford, England. A member of the Oxford University Religious Studies Society, the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, Dr. Ralls was also former deputy director of the Rosslyn Chapel Museum exhibition (1996-2001). Ralls has appeared on The History Channel, Discovery Channel and National Geographic TV documentaries. The author of The Templars and the Grail and other books, she has an ward-winning Website: www.karenraalls.com.
