Freemasons and Knights Templar – Fact or Fiction?

The historical relationship between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry has been the subject of both fascination and speculation for centuries. Although some connections are grounded in historical context, others rest on symbolism and shared values rather than direct lineage.

Origins of the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were established in 1119 with a mission to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem and became a powerful military order during the Crusades. They accumulated significant wealth and influence, which eventually led to their downfall when King Philip IV of France, deeply indebted to the Templars, accused them of heresy in 1307. This led to the arrest and execution of many members, and by 1312, Pope Clement V officially dissolved the order. Surviving Templars are believed to have fled to places like Scotland, which was outside of Papal influence at the time, potentially connecting with local stonemasons’ guilds​.

Read: Timothy Hogan: Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual

Symbolism and Shared Ideals

Both groups are known for their symbolism, some of which overlaps. For instance, the red cross, a symbol of the Templars, represents faith and courage, while Freemasonry incorporates various universal symbols such as the compass and square, representing moral integrity and enlightenment. These elements have led to conjecture about shared traditions and influences​.

Read: In Hoc Signo Vinces – Symbols and Symbolism

The Chevalier Ramsay and Early Theories

One of the earliest proponents of a historical connection between the Templars and Freemasonry was Sir Andrew Michael Ramsay, a Scottish Freemason, who in 1736 suggested that Crusaders returning to Europe laid the groundwork for Masonic traditions. Although Ramsay’s speech did not explicitly mention the Templars, his narrative encouraged links between the Templars and Freemasonry in Masonic lore and later writings​.

Artifacts and Evidence

The Kirkwall Scroll, a 15th-century relic housed in Scotland, is often cited as tangible evidence of the link between the Templars and early Freemasonry. Its symbols reflect Masonic and potentially Templar influences, suggesting that esoteric knowledge may have been passed down​.

Modern Scholarly Perspective

Modern scholars largely agree that while direct historical continuity between the Templars and Freemasonry is unlikely, the Templar mythology has influenced Masonic rites, especially within higher degrees like the York Rite and other appendant bodies. These groups, which include the Knights Templar in their ranks, draw inspiration from Templar ideals and Christian traditions​.

The relationship between the Knights Templar and Freemasonry is more nuanced than a straightforward lineage. While elements of Templar lore have been integrated into Masonic tradition, there is limited evidence of a direct, continuous connection. The blend of shared values, medieval symbolism, and the allure of secrecy has fueled centuries of speculation, contributing to the mythos surrounding both organizations​.

The Knights Templar appendant body is modeled specifically after the historical Knights Templar. Membership requires not just belief in a Supreme Being, but a specific belief in the Christian religion.