What does the Knights Templer have to do with the Masonic Lodge?

Answer 1

Originally, the medieval Order of Knights Templar (The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Jesus Christ, or Knights of the Temple) was founded in 1118, following the 1st Crusade, by a small band of knights who pledged themselves to protect pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. The order was officially dissolved in 1312.

The Freemasons, or "Ancient Free and Accepted Masons," is the world's oldest fraternal organization. Although its origins rest in the stone mason guilds of the medieval period, the fraternal, or "speculative" rather than "operative," masonic lodges began around 1700. Within the next few decades stories arose tying their linage to that of the fabled Knights Templar. These stories were speculative at best, being based mostly on pure fancy. Despite what a few authors have tried to proclaim, there is no known historical evidence linking the original ancient Knights Templar to Freemasonry.

The Masonic Knights Templar degrees began about the middle of the 18th century, most likely in France and spreading to Scotland, England, and elsewhere. (The first recorded Knight Templar conferral in America was that of William Davis in August of 1769 in Boston.) This degree is part of the "appendant bodies" of Freemasonry, typically within the York Rite, so that while all Knights Templar are Freemasons, not all Freemasons are Knights Templar.

The modern Knights Templar make no claim to any direct link with the medieval Templars. Rather, as the Grand Encampment of the United States says:

The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization based on the ancient organization that was founded in the 11th century. Today, the Knights Templar display their courage and goodwill in different ways than the ancient Templars. Members of the Order today organize fund-raising activities such as breakfasts, dinners, dances and flea markets for the support of Masonic-related youth groups, in addition to raising millions of dollars for charitable purposes.

For more information see:

http://www.knightstemplar.org/faq.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_Templar_%28Freemasonry%29

Answer 2

There is a historical connection between the Knights Templar and the Masonic Lodge. The Masonic organization known as the Knights Templar is based on the medieval Knights Templar order and includes rituals and symbols associated with the original Templar knights. However, the modern Masonic Knights Templar organization is a fraternal order and does not have a direct historical lineage to the medieval Knights Templar.

Answer 3

When Pope Clement V and King Philip of France affected the successful dissolution of the Templars on 13th October 1307ce, many knights escaped and some managed to take refuge in the highlands of Scotland. The Scots were currently embroiled in a struggle for sovereignty and against their neighbours, England.

Their emerging leader, Robert De Bruce, was then under an order of excommunication issued by the Pope and was at war with Edward II of England and his allies.

Consequently, having nothing to loose, De Bruce gave his approval for the outlawed Templars to be sheltered and merged into the Knights Hospitallier or to take refuge in the Highlands of Scotland, thus enabling them to live out their lives.

Seven years later, in 1314ce, Sir Henry St. Clair, who was allegedly a member of the Knight Templar, and his two sons, William and Henry, took part in the famous Battle of Bannockburn where the Scots were able to preserve an independent Scotland for the King, Robert the Bruce.

An exciting and romantic legend links the Templars to the battle of Bannockburn. The legend tells us that Scots were outnumbered three to one and were struggling desperately against the forces of Edward II, losing men and ground rapidly, when there appeared on the horizon a well-equipped and obviously highly professional band of knights in full armor and mounted on heavy horses. the knights, although superbly equipped and obviously experienced in military battle tactics, bore no markings on their shields and carried no battle standards flying their colours.

These mysterious soldiers joined the battle on the side of King Robert the Bruce and quickly turned the tide in favour of the Scots who won the battle and freedom for Scotland. The knights then rode off over the horizon without making known their identities or from whence they came.

Many scholars believe these mysterious knights to be a contingent of the refugee and internationally outlawed Knights Templar that the King had permitted to take refuge in the highlands. Were they returning the favor while pledging loyalty to Scotland and King Robert the Bruce? There is a Masonic degree based on this story.

Many sources tell us that years later, Sir Henry St. Clair was appointed the Hereditary Grand Master of all the Masonic guilds of Scotland by royal charter (the King of Scotland remains the Sovereign Grand master).

This Hereditary Grand mastership was to abide with the Sinclair family until 1736ce, when Sir Henry's heir, Sir William St. Clair of Rosslyn resigned his stewardship of the Scottish Masons to affect the creation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland. A body to which he was immediately elected the Grand Master.