Book excerpt: A highly readable look at the lifespan of the famous Knights Templar, who were warrior monks and the first disciplined, regulated, and uniformed standing army since antiquity throughout Europe and the Holy Lands—an economic force to be reckoned with and perhaps an institution guarding dark secrets. The origins of the concept of Holy War are explored, from Biblical times through the rise of Islam and the Christian movement, which inspired untold thousands to set out to recapture Jerusalem, as warriors and as pilgrims. This book explains how nine knights led by Hugues de Payens came from France to guard pilgrims in the Holy Land, how they gained the site of the Temple of Solomon, and what they did there, including a reevaluation of the historical evidence. Other topics discussed include how an unprecedented religious Order grew and pledged to bloodshed in defense of pilgrims, the territory conquered by the Crusaders, and the role and agenda of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and other powerful backers. The Order's contribution to the ongoing Crusades is explained, as well as their military tactics and organization and the fortresses and bases they established. Discussion of the fate of the Order after the failure of the Crusades includes a detailed examination of the charges of occult rituals involving idol worship, spitting on the Cross, and obscene kisses, through to the burning of the last Grand Master Jacques de Molay in 1314.