If you’ve ever been drawn in by the cinematic mysteries of The Da Vinci Code or the treasure‑hunting thrills of National Treasure, you’ll love the ten genuine points we’re about to explore about the Knights Templar. This legendary order blends fact and folklore in such a way that the line between history and myth is practically erased, leaving an enduring enigma that still sparks curiosity today.
10 The Surprise At The Battle Of Bannockburn
During the scorching summer of 1314, a rag‑tag, exhausted resistance managed to hand one of the most astonishing defeats to an English army famed for its might. The Scots, heavily outnumbered—some estimates put the ratio at two‑to‑one, others as high as five‑to‑one—still pulled off a victory that, on paper, should have been impossible.
The English, expected to steamroll the Scots, instead found themselves in a frantic retreat, with soldiers trampling one another in a desperate scramble for escape. Only the Knights Templar inspired such dread at the time, and thanks to their existing ties with Robert the Bruce through the Sinclair family—who had traversed from France to England and then to Scotland after William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion—it is reasonable to believe they rushed to aid their ally. Many historians claim that Templar knights arrived in Scotland in the years leading up to the battle, tipping the scales in favor of the Scots.
While the exact numbers remain debated, the presence of the Templars, feared for their disciplined ferocity, likely contributed to the English panic and ultimate retreat, turning Bannockburn into a legendary Scottish triumph.
9 Did The Knights Templar Become The Freemasons?
When King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Templars, a wave of inquisitorial pressure forced many of the order’s members to seek refuge elsewhere. Scotland, alongside Portugal, emerged as a sanctuary from 1307 onward, providing a safe haven for those fleeing persecution.
After the legendary Battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce is said to have established Scotland’s first Masonic lodge—a covert gathering spot for displaced Templar knights seeking protection. Robert himself became a member, effectively making him one of the earliest “Freemasons.” Key members of the Sinclair family, who fought alongside Bruce in several crucial battles before Bannockburn, also joined this lodge, cementing a deep connection between the two societies.
The Sinclairs, an influential Scottish lineage, contributed not only to the Masonic tradition but also to a host of lingering mysteries that continue to captivate scholars and enthusiasts alike.
8 Did Henry Sinclair Travel To America A Century Before Columbus?
While Christopher Columbus set sail for the New World in 1492, some claim that Henry Sinclair—grandfather to William Sinclair, the future builder of Rosslyn Chapel—reached North America nearly a century earlier, in 1398. According to legend, Sinclair first landed in Nova Scotia before venturing down into what we now know as New England. A monument even commemorates this purported landing site.
Proponents of this theory also point to alleged Templar graves and remains scattered along the upper East Coast of the United States, as well as the enigmatic Newport Tower in Rhode Island, which many argue bears unmistakable Templar architectural signatures. To these believers, the tower serves as a stone‑carved calling card, confirming a pre‑Columbian Templar presence.
Supporters further suggest that Sinclair and his fellow Templars accessed ancient maps handed down from the Library of Alexandria, granting them knowledge of a continent that would later become the United States. Some even argue that Sinclair envisioned a sanctuary where individuals could practice any faith, indulge in scientific inquiry, and enjoy artistic expression without fear of ecclesiastical persecution—a vision eerily similar to the ideals later championed by the American Founding Fathers, many of whom were closely tied to Masonic lodges of the era.
7 The Mystery Of Oak Island
When the Templars sensed King Philip’s impending betrayal, they allegedly emptied their vaults of treasure and loaded the riches onto a fleet of ships. These vessels first navigated the Mediterranean before venturing into the Atlantic, setting the stage for a centuries‑long treasure‑hunt.
Scholars remain divided over the ultimate destination of these riches. Some argue that Portugal offered a secure sanctuary, while others contend that Scotland provided a safe harbor. Yet another theory holds that the Templars kept their wealth afloat, constantly moving it across the seas for decades, perhaps even longer. A popular belief among treasure hunters places the bulk of the loot on Oak Island, located off the coast of Nova Scotia.
Despite pouring millions of dollars into excavations, no definitive treasure has emerged from Oak Island. However, the island’s intricate drainage systems—designed to thwart intruders—continue to baffle investigators, fueling speculation that a vault packed with riches lies hidden beneath the surface.
Another location rumored to hold clues to the Templar treasure will be explored in the next entry on our list.
6 The ‘Clues’ In Rosslyn Chapel
Rosslyn Chapel, nestled in the tranquil Scottish village of Rosslyn (also spelled Roslin), has long been a magnet for conspiracy theorists. While many of the surrounding legends border on the outrageous, genuine mysteries persist within its stone walls. Notably, the chapel’s architecture features carvings that some interpret as depictions of maize—corn, a crop native to the Americas and unknown to Europeans until well after the chapel’s construction.
If these carvings are indeed representations of corn, they could lend credence to the notion that the Templars explored North America long before Columbus’s famed voyage. Such “messages” hidden in plain sight have proven effective at keeping the Templar‑America theory alive, as they provide tangible, visual evidence that challenges conventional timelines.
Adding to the intrigue are the empty voids beneath the chapel’s foundations. While safety concerns have prevented thorough excavation, the mere existence of these unexplored chambers fuels speculation. Though there may ultimately be nothing of significance hidden below, the mystery endures, keeping the legend of the Templars’ secret knowledge alive.
5 Awareness Of The Planets And Ritual
While mainstream historians rarely entertain it, researcher Jeff Nisbet argues that the Knights Templar were guided by esoteric astronomy and astrology. In an article for Atlantis Rising titled “The Mystery Of The Battle Of Bannockburn,” later reproduced in the book Forbidden Religion, Nisbet draws striking parallels between the battle’s events and the celestial configurations of the day.
According to Nisbet, at dawn the bull Taurus rose on the northern horizon, while Orion the Hunter reached its apex. Venus shone just north of Orion’s weapon, aligning with Taurus’s lower horn. The Sun emerged in Gemini, followed by Jupiter, Mercury, and the Moon. Leo the Lion completed the tableau, with Mars positioned beneath its breast. Accompanying Orion were his two canine companions, Canis Major and Canis Minor, the “Big Dog” and “Little Dog.”
Nisbet interprets this stellar arrangement as a cosmic blueprint for the day’s events. He recounts how, at midday, a pivotal clash unfolded: Earl Gilbert de Clare of Gloucester led one horn of Edward’s army, while Earl Humphrey de Bohun of Hereford commanded the other. Henry de Bohun, a young knight, charged toward King Robert the Bruce, only to be struck down by the king himself in a decisive blow that shattered his helmet and skull. This dramatic episode, set against the backdrop of the constellations, suggests the Templars may have orchestrated their tactics using celestial guidance—a theory that, while controversial, adds an alluring layer of mysticism to their legacy.
4 They Were The Banks (Before The Banks)
During an era when the Christian doctrine prohibited usury—the practice of charging interest on loans—the Knights Templar functioned as the de‑facto banks of medieval Europe. Their financial network set a prototype for modern banking, extending credit to citizens, financing crusades, and supporting royal war efforts across the continent.
Ironically, one of their most prominent clients was King Philip IV of France, who later ordered the mass arrest and execution of many Templars—a move possibly motivated by the king’s mounting debts to the order. As a charitable order that pledged poverty, the Templars nonetheless amassed vast wealth: aspirants joining the ranks often pledged money, treasure, or land, while generous donors contributed additional riches.
This accumulated wealth—bolstered by spoils from Crusader campaigns and other ecclesiastical missions—was stored in massive vaults in Paris and London. Their financial clout granted the Templars unparalleled influence in any nation where they held a presence, cementing their role as a powerful economic engine long before the advent of modern banking institutions.
3 The Ultimate Secret: The Divinity Of John The Baptist
A recurring legend asserts that the Knights Templar revered John the Baptist as a divine figure, believing him to be the true lord and deity. According to certain researchers, the Templars discovered John’s head beneath the Temple Mount in the 12th century, prompting them to hurriedly pack their valuables into five massive caskets and flee Jerusalem.
Some accounts claim the order carried the saint’s head with them, periodically praying before the relic. Possessing such a holy object was thought to allow those nearby to absorb John’s divinity and spiritual energy. Even a piece of his clothing or personal effects was believed to confer similar benefits.
Intriguingly, the secret society Skull and Bones—counting former U.S. presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush among its members—has been linked to Templar traditions. While the society is rumored to house the head of Geronimo and Adolf Hitler’s silverware, no concrete evidence suggests they attribute divine status to these artifacts. Nonetheless, the notion that powerful groups might seek to harness the energy of historic relics adds a tantalizing layer to the Templar mythos.
2 Did They Start With Only Nine Members?
Although some scholars dispute the exact origins, a popular narrative holds that the Knights Templar began with just nine founding members. Central to this story is Hugues de Payens, widely recognized as the order’s primary founder.
These nine knights pledged allegiance to Christ and dedicated themselves to protecting Christian pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land. While the official mission centered on safeguarding travelers, some theorists argue that the Templars were equally, if not more, motivated by the promise of treasure concealed beneath the Temple Mount.
The number nine carries deep esoteric significance across cultures. The Aztecs worshipped the Nine Lords of the Night, and ancient Egyptian mythology features the Ennead—a council of nine deities governing the Osiris saga. This numerological symbolism may have resonated with the Templars, aligning with their alleged fascination for mysticism and hidden knowledge.
1 The Origins Of The Jolly Roger
Today, the skull‑and‑crossbones flag instantly evokes images of swashbuckling pirates. Yet, the origins of the infamous Jolly Roger trace back to the Knights Templar, who originally bore the same emblem.
Following King Philip’s relentless persecution, Templar knights who failed to find refuge elsewhere turned to the seas. In secret, they adopted the skull‑and‑crossbones as a covert identifier, since displaying their traditional white banner with a red cross was no longer viable. This concealed flag allowed them to continue clandestine operations without drawing unwanted attention.
Contrary to popular pirate lore, the Templar‑styled Jolly Roger targeted only vessels belonging to the Vatican and royal fleets that opposed their cause. In essence, the flag represented a hidden naval arm of the Templars—a secretive force that likely contributed to the mysterious maps and navigational knowledge that have surfaced sporadically throughout history.
These ten genuine points illuminate the multifaceted legacy of the Knights Templar, revealing how history, myth, and mystery intertwine to keep their story alive for generations to come.