Templier

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Templier, meaning 'Templar' were the traditional Knights Templar. They were 'The Poor Fellow Soldiers Of Christ' of 'The Temple Of Solomon' and therefore were also known as 'The Order Of Solomon's Temple'. A Catholic Military Order of soldiers serving Christ, The Knights Templar protected the innocent who were traveling through the Holy Lands from Muslim soldiers, also known as 'Assassins'. These murderers eventually became known as what we recognize them today as 'Al Qaeda' which translated from Arabic means 'The Base' or 'The Foundation' or 'The Fundament'. The Knights Templar were officially recognized by the Papal Bull Omne Datum Optimum in 1139. The Papal Bull was issued by Pope Innocent II in 1139, endorsing The Order Of The Poor Knights Of Christ of The Temple Of Solomon giving Templar Knights official rule and papal protection. Omne Datum Optimum is Latin for 'every perfect gift', as all spoils from the Muslim conquests were promised to The Templar, who were exempt from tithes and taxes.

Malte

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The Knights Hospitaller: Malta was ruled by the order of St John as a vassal state (a state that is sub-ordinate to another), of the kingdom of Sicily from 1530 to 1798. As a vassal state they were required to provide military assistance if and when necessary. In 1530, following the loss of Rhodes, the Spanish Emperor Charles V granted the islands of Gozo and Malta, along with the city of Triploli in modern Libya to the Order of Saint John. Arising early in the 12th century, The Knights Hospitaller were a Monastic reformation Order associated with an Amalfitan hospital in the Muristan district of Jerusalem. Founded around 1023 by Gerard Thom, to provide for ailing and poor pilgrims venturing to and through the Holy Land, the hospital was dedicated to Saint John The Baptist. However, it should be noted that some sources debate the connection between The Almalfitan Order and its hospital and Gerard Thom's Hospital Order. In 1099 during the First Crusade and following the conquest of Jerusalem The Hospitaller became a religious and military Order and flew their flags of power under their own Papal charter. They were charged with defending The Holy Land. After the conquest of The Holy Land by Islamic control, the Knights operated from Rhodes, over which they were sovereign and then later Malta, thus the creation of the Vassal State. The Hospitallers were the smallest group to colonise America. The protestant reformations of Northern Germany and The Netherlands saw separation from the Roman Catholic Order. The Hospitallers were disestablished in England, Sweden, Denmark and throughout Northern Europe. Napoleon's capture of Malta in 1798 added further to the dissolution. Dispersion then followed throughout Europe and Russia. Regaining some strength in the early 19th century, the organization turned its focus towards religious and humanitarian causes. By 1834 the Order was now known as The Sovereign Military Order Of Malta. They acquired new head quarters in Rome and remained there until today. Five contemporary state recognized Chivalric Orders claiming modern inheritance of The Hospitaller tradition claim that 'The Sovereign Military Order Of Malta' is the original order, with four non-Roman Catholic Orders stemming from the same root. Protestant Orders can be found in Sweden, The Netherlands and Germany, along with a non-denominational British revival having established its head quarters in the United Kingdom with branches throughout The Commonwealth.

Saint Sepulcre

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The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, also called Order of the Holy Sepulchre, or Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. A Roman Catholic order of Knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. The Pope is the Sovereign of the Order: Recognized in 1113 by Papal Bull of Pope Paschal I and of Pope Calistus II in 1122, the Order was founded as Milites Sancti Sepulcri and was attached to the Augustinian canons regular of The Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Its origins stem from circa 1099 under the 'Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri', Defender of the Holy Sepulchre', the Frankish Duke Godfrey of Bouillon. He was one of the leaders of the First Crusade and first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In addition to the Canons Regular (the Fratres), early members included Secular Canons (Confratres or Sergentes), Milites Sancti Sepulcri. These were armed Knights of valor and dedication, chosen from the Crusader troops. Under the command of The King Of Jerusalem, they took vows to defend The Holy Sepulchre and other Holy locations and took vows to obey the Augustinian Rule of poverty and obedience. To this day Canons and Knights are bestowed for this purpose, to protect and serve the Christian stronghold in The Holy Land. In 1187 The Holy Knights of Sepulchre were transferred to the Franciscan Custody of The Holy Land. This was the highest Catholic authority in The Holy Land during the Middle Ages. From 1949 Grand Masters have been Cardinals. As well as The Sovereign Military Order Of Malta, it is the only Order of Chivalry that is recognized and protected by The Holy See. Today's numbers are estimated at about 30,000 members spread throughout 60 Lieutenancies around the world. This includes Monarchs, Heads of State and their consorts. Currently head quarters are located in Rome, close to the Vatican City. The church of Saint Sepulcre (sepulchre), was ceded to The Knights Templar by Saint Augustine's Regal Canons. The knights abandoned the church to occupy the palace and other buildings within the Herod Terrace in the ancient temple in Jerusalem, originally gifted by King Baldwin II.

d' Espagne

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D'Espagne in English means 'Spain'. The Knights Templar fought alongside other Christian Armies in the Reconquista. Many battles were fought during this era, in order to wrestle control from non Christian strongholds, the Muslims being a prime target of subjugation, for God's re-establishment of a more moralistic society, based on the sound principles of Christianity. The Knights Templar played an important role in this and are infamous for battles such as The Battle of Navas and Tolosa, plus their successful conquest in re-gaining control over Majorca and Valencia. This led the Templar to receive great gifts from rich families across Europe. One such gift was received from King Alfonso I of Aragon (known as King Alfonso The Battler and King Alfonso The Warrior). He gifted large allotments of land and castles to The Templar Knights. Many of their own castles were also constructed. However two centuries later,, due largely to King Phillip V of France , who was heavily in debt to The Templar Knights, all of The Knights Templar's lands and castles were confiscated and gifted to their rivals, who The Knights Templar were often at logger heads with, The Hospitaller (re: Malte). In 1307 on October Friday The Thirteenth, The Knights Templar were rounded up by a huge contingency of King Phillip's soldiers and burned at the stake on false charges of heresy. Of course Friday the 13th lives on today and is supposed to be a day of bad luck, no doubt for those who have intentions of doing evil to Christians on that day. In Spain however the charges were dropped and the soldiers were cleared of any wrong doing, holding out in their castles during this difficult inquisition into their lives as soldiers of Christ. Under the protective order of King James II they became a part of The Order Of Montessa which was affiliated to the Calatrava.

Teutonique

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The Order of Brothers of The German House of St Mary in Jerusalem, a reigious Catholic Order. The First Grandmaster of The Teutonic Knights was Heinrich Walpot von Bassenheim. Their purpose was to provide protection for pilgrims traveling through the Holy Lands. They also served as a Christian Military order for the Baltics, during the Middle Ages. Today the Bailiwic of Utrecht of the Teutonic Order, a Protestant Chivalric Order, still operates and confers limited honorary Knighthoods. Descendents of the original order, they continue with charitable work. 'The Teutonic (Teutonique), Knights still exist today. They were also known as Zakon Krzyzacki which is Polish for 'Order of the cross. In Lithuania The Teutonic Knights identified with the term Kryziuociu Ordinas. In Estonia they were Saksa Ordu or Ordu, the English literal translation being 'The Order'. The Latin translation of Vacu Ordenis is the Latvian derivative for The Teutonic Knights. In Jerusalem, the term most identified with is the German term Orden der Bruder vom Deutschen Haus St. Mariens. In Latin this is Ordo domus Sanctae Mariae Theutonicorum.Hierosolymitanorum. This can be translated in English to 'Order of the House of St Mary of the Germans in Jerusalem. The German origins of the order is where the name 'Teutonic' hails from. The French translation of 'Teutonique' literally means 'an honored and pious Knight'. Commonly known as Deutscher Orden in Germany, (in English 'German Order'), the Teutonic Knights were historically known as Deutscher Ritterorden or 'German Order Of Knights'. Other derivatives also exist such as, Deutschherrenorden Deutschritterorden (Order of the German Knights) and also Die Herren im weißen Mantel or 'The Lords in White Capes'. The Teutonic Knights were founded in c. 1190 and still exist today. Between 1180 and 1906, they pledged allegiance to The Holy Roman Emperor and from 1906 until today to The Papacy. They operated as a military religious order between 1192 and 1929. Operational Headquarters have been in Acre (1192-1291), in Venice (1291-1309), in Marienburg (1309-1466), in Konigsenberg (1466-1525), in Mergentheim (1525-1809) and in Vienna (1809-present). Their patrons are 1. The Virgin Mary 2. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and 3. Saint George.

The Knights Templar Biker

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Born To Ride - Bred For Victory

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Serve and Protect The Innocent

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