Militae Templi

A Chronological History of the Knights Templars and the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

 Compiled and Annotated by Etienne Jean Partholomous

Militia Templi is the first and only serious attempt, to date, to offer a substantiated chronological history of the Templar Knights. To Partholomous’ credit, he starts this chronology in 1071, where he includes the important events leading up to the formation of the Knights Templar order, such as the Peoples Crusades and the First Crusade. These consequential incidents are of paramount importance for getting an understanding of the Templars and the subsequent history. It incorporates many various aspects of the history of the Knights Templar (mainly in France and Britain) and affairs in Outremer. The introduction claims to look into, “the facts, battles, squabbles, treaties, deaths, births, marriages, crownings and burnings, this book also looks into the more esoteric side associated with the Knights Templars”, and does so in a matter of fact manner. Militia Templi concludes with the construction of Rosslyn chapel in Scotland. 

Partholomous is very brave attempting such a massive undertaking compiling and chronicling these complex subjects. One can find faults in most books and Militae Templi is not an exception, and I think that the overall presentation of this book would have been much improved without the range of cartoonish drawings of Templars included therein. Another thing that I would like the reader of this book to be aware of is the lack consultation of contemporary sources and the reliance on modern authors. What must be added is that many reliable sources have been used together with a selection of Encyclopaedias. Partholomous shows further skill as a chronicler by cross-referencing many of the major events and where many authors confusingly use different names for places and people; Partholomous offers a range of spelling for both. As mentioned this is the only serious chronology presently available and credence must be given to this compiler. Militae Templi is a valuable, an easy ‘to look up’ reference work, and for those of you that would like to undertake further investigation into the history and mythos of the Templars; this book will aid you in your investigation. 

The book consists of 129 pages dedicated to the chronology, with a further four appendices titled: 1) Notes and References, 2) Hierarchy of the Knights Templars, 3) Grand Masters of the Order of the Temple (according to Luise Bulst-Thiele and the Larmenius Charter, and Rulers of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, 4) Bibliography; totalling 168 pages, in an A4 format.

Reviewed by Oddvar Olsen May 2006

Published April 2004

Paperback ISBN 1-876788-20-8

You may order Militiae Templi from:

CMUSIC BOOKS, P.O Box, North Strathfield, New South Wales, 2137 Australia