Knights Templar Wigtownshire


The Knights Templar Wigtownshire is a historical society established in 1874 to commemorate the Knights Templar, a medieval order of warriors and religious pilgrims. The society is based in Wigtownshire, Scotland, and is dedicated to preserving the history of the Templars and encouraging interest in their legacy among members. It works with local museums to display artefacts related to the Templars and organizes lectures, tours, events, and other activities related to the subject. The Knights Templar Wigtownshire also publishes books on topics related to medieval history and the Templars for both scholars and enthusiasts alike. The Knights Templar were a powerful religious and military order in the Middle Ages. Originating in Jerusalem, the order was founded by a group of knights in 1119 AD and quickly grew in both power and influence throughout Europe. In Scotland, they had a strong presence in Wigtownshire, where they were granted land and various privileges from King Malcolm IV.

The Knights Templar held the lands of Wigtownshire from 1162-1307 when King Edward of England ordered their dissolution. During their time in Wigtownshire, the Templars built several castles, including one at Sorbie Tower. They also founded numerous churches and monasteries, as well as other charitable institutions that still exist to this day. After their dissolution, many of their lands were handed over to the Hospitallers, another powerful religious order of the medieval era.

Today, there are several historic sites that still bear witness to the Templars’ presence in Wigtownshire. These include Sorbie Tower and various churches and other buildings located throughout the county. The legacy of the Knights Templar continues to live on in this part of Scotland even today.

Overview of the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar was a religious military order established during the 12th century in Jerusalem. The organization was founded by a French knight, Hugues de Payens, and eight other knights who wanted to protect Christian pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. The knights drew their name from the Temple of Solomon, which they occupied and used as their headquarters. They were given papal approval by Pope Innocent II in 1129 and soon began to gain wealth and power throughout Europe.

The Templars’ primary purpose was to protect Christian pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, but they eventually developed into a powerful military force. They had an extensive network of fortifications and castles throughout Europe, the Middle East, and even into parts of Asia. In addition to protecting pilgrims, the Templars were also known for their banking services, which allowed them to amass great wealth and influence.

The Templars also engaged in religious activities such as constructing churches and monasteries throughout Europe. They became known for their piety and dedication to religious causes and were highly respected throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.

In 1307, King Philip IV of France arrested all the Templar Knights in an attempt to seize their wealth for his own personal gain. This event is known as the “Arrest of the Templars” or “Friday the 13th Curse.” Although many Templars were killed or put on trial for heresy by Pope Clement V, some managed to escape with their wealth intact.

The Knights Templar eventually disbanded after this incident but left behind a legacy that has lived on throughout history. Their courage and dedication have been remembered through books, movies, television shows, video games, and other forms of popular culture that continue to celebrate their achievements even today.

The Role of the Knights Templar in Wigtownshire

The Knights Templar were a prominent military order in the Middle Ages. The organization was founded during the Crusades, and their primary purpose was to protect Christian pilgrims making their way to the Holy Land. The Order was active in many parts of Europe, including Scotland, where they established a presence in Wigtownshire.

In Wigtownshire, the Templars built several castles and abbeys including St. Blane’s Chapel near Stranraer and Leswalt Priory near Leswalt. They also had significant holdings of land across the region, which they used to support their operations. In addition to these holdings, the Templars also held religious services at these locations and provided medical care for those living nearby.

The Templars also had a significant economic role in Wigtownshire, as they acted as bankers for both nobles and commoners alike. This allowed them to accumulate wealth that could be used to support their operations in Scotland and elsewhere in Europe. Additionally, they often acted as mediators between warring factions and offered advice on matters of politics and economics.

The Templars also had a major cultural impact on Wigtownshire, with their symbols appearing throughout the region on churches, castles, and other buildings. The Order even established its own coat of arms that is still used by some local families today. In addition to this, the Templars helped spread knowledge about science and technology that was not widely available elsewhere at this time period.

Ultimately, the role of the Knights Templar in Wigtownshire was one of immense importance both economically and culturally. They were influential both militarily and financially throughout much of Europe during this time period and helped shape many aspects of life in Scotland during the Middle Ages.

History of the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were a religious order of knights founded in 1118 by Hugh de Payens, a French knight, and eight other knights. The order was established for the purpose of protecting pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the time of the Crusades. The Knights Templar also provided financial, military, and spiritual support to those crusaders who were fighting in the name of Christianity. Over time, they became one of the most powerful organizations in Europe. They were ultimately disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312.

Beliefs and Practices of the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were part of a larger movement known as chivalry that sought to bring honor and justice to medieval society. They believed in defending their faith and protecting those who could not protect themselves. As part of their beliefs, they followed a strict code of conduct known as “The Rule” which governed every aspect of their lives from diet to prayer to combat training. Their practices also included a mix of Christian teachings and traditions such as fasting on certain days, taking part in religious ceremonies, and participating in pilgrimages.

In addition to their religious beliefs and practices, the Knights Templar also had a strong martial tradition which included training with weapons such as swords, lances, crossbows, and shields. They were renowned for their courage on the battlefield and for their ability to fight against overwhelming odds. Their military successes earned them considerable wealth and power which allowed them to expand their influence throughout Europe.

Impact of the Knights Templar on Wigtownshire

The impact of the Knights Templar on Wigtownshire was profound. The Order was active in the region for almost two centuries, from 1160 to 1312. During this time, they built a number of castles and monasteries, including Whithorn Priory and Dundrennan Abbey. They also established a number of religious and charitable institutions, including hospitals for the poor, orphanages, and hospices for pilgrims making their way to St Ninian’s shrine at Whithorn.

The Knights Templar were also instrumental in developing the economy in Wigtownshire by encouraging trade and commerce. They granted charters to local merchants, allowing them to trade with foreign merchants, and built a number of mills along rivers such as the Urr to support agricultural production.

In addition to their economic activities, the Knights Templar had a major influence on culture in Wigtownshire. They introduced new building techniques that can still be seen in some of the area’s churches and castles today. They also encouraged education by establishing schools in some of their monasteries. Therefore, they established a number of fairs and festivals that are still celebrated today such as Wigtown Fair Day and St Ninian’s Day.

The legacy of the Knights Templar can be seen all over Wigtownshire today. Their castles are still standing, their monasteries remain as places of worship, and many of their charitable works continue to benefit local communities even centuries later. The impact they had on this small corner of Scotland is undeniable.

Influence of the Knights Templar on Medieval Scotland

The Knights Templar were a powerful military order in medieval Europe, and their influence stretched far beyond the continent. Scotland was one of the countries in which they had a particularly strong presence, and this had a significant impact on the development of medieval Scotland.

The Knights Templar first arrived in Scotland during the 12th century, when King David I invited them to establish a base in Edinburgh. From here, they sought to spread their influence across the country by establishing a number of monasteries and other strongholds. These included Balantrodoch near Edinburgh, as well as castles at Loch Leven in Fife and Cardross near Glasgow. The Knights Templar were also involved in establishing other religious sites such as St Fillan’s Priory in Perthshire.

The presence of the Knights Templar in Scotland had a major effect on both religion and politics. In terms of religion, they helped to spread Christianity across the country by building monasteries and churches. They also provided protection to local churches and clergy from threats such as robbery and violence.

Politically, the Knights Templar played an important role in helping to bring stability to Scotland during times of conflict. Their presence provided a powerful deterrent against invaders, as well as acting as a buffer between warring clans. They also provided support for local rulers by acting as mediators during disputes between rival factions.

The legacy of the Knights Templar can still be seen today in many aspects of Scottish culture and architecture. For example, many castles that were built under their patronage still stand today, including those at Loch Leven and Cardross mentioned earlier. The distinctive red crosses associated with their order can also be seen adorning buildings throughout Scotland, including churches such as St Fillan’s Priory.

Overall, it is clear that the influence of the Knights Templar was far-reaching and had an incredibly significant impact on medieval Scotland. Not only did they help to spread Christianity across the country but they also provided much-needed stability during times of conflict and helped shape many aspects of Scottish culture that we still see today.

The History of the Knights Templar in Wigtownshire

The Knights Templar were a religious and military order that had a long history in Scotland, particularly in Wigtownshire. The Order was founded in the early 11th century and grew to become one of the most powerful and influential military orders of the time. They established a number of castles throughout Wigtownshire and were known to have fought alongside Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn.

Decline of the Knights Templar

The power and influence of the Knights Templar began to decline in the late 13th century when they were suppressed by Pope Clement V. This led to their dissolution in 1312 and ultimately their demise as a military order. Despite this, their legacy lived on through their numerous fortifications, castles, churches and other monuments that still exist today throughout Wigtownshire.

Legacy of the Knights Templar in Wigtownshire

Today, there are still many reminders of the Knights Templar throughout Wigtownshire. One such reminder is St Ninian’s Chapel which was built by them in 1230. Other surviving monuments include St Ninian’s Well which is believed to have been built by them around 1300; Whithorn Priory which was founded by them in 1188; and Whitecastle Castle which dates back to 1220. These monuments are part of an important legacy that has been passed down from generation to generation since the time of the Knights Templar.

The End of the Knights Templar in Scotland

The Knights Templar were a powerful, influential, and mysterious religious military order founded in the 12th century during the Crusades. Operating across Europe, they played a significant role in defending pilgrims and holy sites. In Scotland, however, their presence was short-lived and they were officially disbanded in 1309 by Pope Clement V.

The Knights Templars had first come to Scotland in 1160 when King Malcolm IV requested their help to defend against English aggression. The Templars quickly established themselves as powerful allies of the Scottish crown. They acquired large tracts of land and built several castles including Castle Fyvie in Aberdeenshire and Balantrodoch Castle near Edinburgh.

However, their influence was short-lived and by 1307 they had fallen out of favour with the Scottish crown. This was mainly due to their refusal to pay taxes on their lands and also because of allegations of heresy and immoral activities that were levelled against them by King Edward I of England.

In 1309 Pope Clement V officially disbanded the Knights Templar throughout Europe but it wasn’t until 1320 that this was fully implemented in Scotland. By this time much of their land had been confiscated by the Scottish crown as compensation for unpaid taxes, resulting in an end to their presence in Scotland.

Today little remains of the Order’s legacy in Scotland although there are still some ruins including Balantrodoch Castle which is now known as Temple Village near Edinburgh. There is also a plaque at Castle Fyvie which commemorates the Order’s presence there from 1160-1309.

Last Thoughts

The Knights Templar of Wigtownshire formed a powerful force and were responsible for protecting the people of Wigtownshire from many enemies. They maintained their presence in Scotland until the early 1300s when they were disbanded. Although their presence in the area is no longer seen, their legacy lives on in the form of various ruins, artifacts, and stories. Their commitment to service and protection was an important part of Scottish history.

The Knights Templar have had a lasting impact on Scotland and its culture. They were an integral part of defending the area from enemies during a turbulent period in Scottish history. Their dedication to keeping peace and protecting those who lived in Wigtownshire was admirable and admirable is still remembered today. The Knights Templar will forever remain part of Scotland’s past, but their impact can still be felt even today.

Esoteric Masons is part of the Masons, Cheshire.

Esoteric Masons