The Knights Templar have fascinated us for centuries. They were holy warriors who fought with incredible bravery in the Crusades but were then destroyed by their own side. In battle they were the bravest knights ? first on the battlefield and the last to quit. Charging towards the enemy with their white cloaks emblazoned with the red cross of martyrdom. Every young man in medieval Europe yearned to be a Knight Templar. The reality, though, could be tough. Battles fought against fearsome foes sometimes resulted in terrible defeat with a huge loss of life. The Templars were always the target of jealousy and hatred because of their military prowess, financial acumen, and strict organisation. Eventually, their enemies got the better of them. Not the Saracens they had fought in the Holy Land, but kings and bishops back home. The Templars were accused of bizarre initiation rituals and heretical beliefs. Many were executed for the sole crime of being a Templar. But their memory was not extinguished. It has endured. Today, millions of people still want to understand the history and mystery of the Knights Templar. Is it true they possessed the Holy Grail? Why were they destroyed so brutally? This book sets out to find the answers. AUTHOR: Tony McMahon is a broadcaster and author appearing on history and science TV documentaries such as William Shatner's The UnXplained, Laurence Fishburne's History's Greatest Mysteries, and Channel 5's Secrets of the Royal Palaces. Other books include his biography of Neville Staple of 1980s pop band, The Specials, Original Rude Boy, and the biography of British boxer Errol Christie, No Place To Hide, shortlisted for two awards. He is a former BBC news producer and lives in London. 30 b/w illustrations
