‎The Knights Templar: A History Strange and True - Apple TV

TV Show · Documentary · History

Embark on a thrilling journey through the Middle Ages with The Knights Templar: A History Strange and True. Over 24 riveting lectures, Dr. Dorsey Armstrong, a distinguished medieval scholar at Purdue University, peels back the layers of legend to reveal the flesh-and-blood reality of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon.

2025 · 29m

Starring Dorsey Armstrong

EPISODE 1

Who Were the Knights Templar?

Begin your journey with an introduction to the Knight Templar, an order of monk-knights founded around 1119. Before delving into their rise to power, this first lecture sets the stage with an exploration of Jerusalem in the Middle Ages. Learn about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
EPISODE 2

The Crusades

With the stage set, now it's time to explore what led to the founding of the Knights Templar. Here, dive into the First Crusade, beginning with Pope Urban II's 1095 call to reclaim Jerusalem and resulting in the need for Christian pilgrims to be protected as they traveled from Europe to the Holy Land.
EPISODE 3

The Knights Templar Are Formed!

Meet Hugues de Pans and Godfrey de Saint-Omer, two knights who recognized the need for a protective order and decided to do something about it. In their early years, the order defied the traditional Three Estates Model, blending knightly and monastic duties. Trace their rise from humble beginnings to papal legitimacy.
EPISODE 4

Promotion and Criticism of the Order

The Knights Templar gained papal support through Bernard of Clairvaux's advocacy at the Council of Troyes in 1128. This lecture walks through some of the sources that tell us about the knights and how their unique position allowed them to collect spoils of war, giving them power and wealth but also setting them up for criticism.
EPISODE 5

The Fall of Edessa and the Second Crusade

In 1144, the fall of Edessa to the Muslim leader Zengi sparked the Second Crusade from 1147-1148. In addition to playing a role as warriors, the Knights Templar also loaned funds to King Louis VII of France, illustrating the controversial new role in military and political affairs.
EPISODE 6

Life as a Templar Knight

After the Second Crusade, the daily life of Templar Knights highlighted their unique monk-warrior structure. In this lecture, Dr. Armstrong walks you through the order's structure of roles, knightly behavior, and prohibitions. She also dives into other aspects of daily life in the order, including education.

Dorsey Armstrong

Host