Steve Tibble, a Medieval Templars historian, discusses the Templars' role in Britain and Ireland, their military engagements, and political influence. The podcast also explores the Templars' organizational structure, agricultural ventures, and their eventual decline in Britain. Steve Tibble's book on the British Templars is announced, along with discussions about tears of blood in history and the importance of pre-orders for book publishing.
The Templars were a formidable fighting force and skilled diplomats, actively involved in major political events in Great Britain and Ireland.
The Templars' activities in Britain and Ireland showcased their ability to combine military force, financing, and diplomacy, leading to their extraordinary achievement as an organization.
Originally formed to support the papacy, the Templars grew in numbers and influence through successful recruitment efforts and became financially savvy, playing a significant role in investment banking and resource transportation.
Deep dives
The Real Templars: A Formidable Fighting Force and Savvy Diplomats
The podcast episode explores the real history of the Templars, dispelling myths and focusing on their actual achievements. The Templars were a small but remarkable group of individuals who achieved great things during their existence. They were a formidable fighting force, skilled in military tactics and trained in combat. Despite their reputation as warriors, the Templars also played a significant role as peacemakers, working to maintain stability and peace in Europe. One example of their diplomatic efforts was their involvement in major political events in Great Britain and Ireland. By supporting the status quo and fostering neutrality and trustworthiness, they were able to play a crucial role in resolving conflicts and working towards peace.
Templars in Britain: A Unique Perspective
This part of the podcast highlights the author's decision to focus specifically on the Templars in Britain and Ireland. The Templars' operations in Great Britain were a microcosm of their larger international operations. They were able to combine military force, financing, and diplomatic skills to create an effective and strategic organization. The Templars' activities included activities in the Latin East, such as supporting the Crusades and managing estates, as well as activities on the home front, like diplomacy, investment banking, and agriculture. Their ability to seamlessly integrate these different spheres and adapt to the needs of an elite military force was an extraordinary achievement.
The Templars' Original Mandate and Growth
The podcast discusses the Templars' original mandate and their subsequent growth as an order. Originally, the Templars were formed to support the papacy by acting as a conduit for military resources to the Latin East. They started with humble beginnings, serving as a small security team and gradually grew in numbers and influence. One turning point for the Templars was their involvement in the recruitment for an attack on Damascus. Their success in gathering men, money, and recruits from England and Scotland contributed to their rapid growth. As the order expanded, so did their military capabilities and financial resources, allowing them to advance their objectives and become a force to be reckoned with.
Templars as Financial Savvy and Diplomatic Peacemakers
The podcast emphasizes the Templars' financial expertise and diplomatic skills. While they were renowned warriors, they were also financially savvy and played a significant role in financial transactions, investment banking, and transportation of resources. They were able to combine international military force and diplomatic initiatives working for the papacy. Diplomatically, the Templars were known for their commitment to peace and stability, advocating for the interests of European states through neutral and trustworthy neutrality. They worked towards maintaining the status quo and supporting kings and queens to enable them to focus on international affairs, such as launching crusades. The Templars' strategic approach combined activity in the Latin East with activity in different provinces to achieve their goals.
The Demise and Legacy of the Templars
The podcast delves into the Templars' demise and their lasting legacy. In the face of accusations and persecution, the Templars in Britain found little evidence to support the claims against them. While the French Templars experienced significant trials and torture, their British counterparts faced little enthusiasm for guilt or persecution. This lack of evidence and support indicates the Templars' innocence, which suggests that other allegations against the order are also baseless. The podcast emphasizes the power of conspiracy theories surrounding the Templars and the tendency to fill the historical gaps with imaginative interpretations. It suggests that these theories serve a need for purpose and control, allowing for the projection of meaning onto a blank slate of information.
Myths and conspiracies aside, the real medieval Templars were indeed a formidable fighting force, as well as being financially savvy diplomats at many of the major courts of the time. This week, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about the Templars' role in Britain and Ireland, their activities on and off the battlefield, and some of the major political events they were involved with.