Portugal's history is deeply intertwined with the Order of Templars, also known as the Knights Templar. Founded in 1119 by Hugo de Payens and his eight companions, including the Portuguese Arnaldo da Rocha and Geoffrey de Saint-Omer, this military order was dedicated to protecting the holy sites of Palestine.
Portugal, a land shaped by the legacy of the Knights Templar
In 1128, at the request of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the Pope confirmed the Order of the Knights Templar, giving it official recognition. Saint Bernard, a fervent defender of the Order, drafted the rules that were approved in Council of Troyes in 1128, infusing this noble brotherhood with his spirit. Also known as "Fratres militiae Templi" or "Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Salomonis," they established their headquarters in a wing of the King of Jerusalem's palace, donated by Baldwin II, located in the El-Aksa mosque, on the ancient site of Solomon's temple.
Composed of knights, squires, lay brothers, chaplains and priests, the Order's mission was to defend the Christian faith and holy places, and to fight infidels. They took an oath of poverty, obedience and chastity, living an austere life dedicated to the service of God. Their presence in Palestine gave rise to rivalry with the Hospitallers, often marked by armed conflict, weakening Christian positions.
After the fall of S. Jean d'Accra in 1291, they moved to Cyprus. However, the Order continued its expansion in Western Europe, erecting impregnable fortress-temples in Portugal that still stand today.
In Portugal, they played a crucial role in the Reconquista against the Moors. Although their main activity was financial, given the different conditions on the Iberian peninsula, they were also military experts. Their financial power often brought them into conflict with sovereigns eager for their wealth. Despite these tensions, the Portuguese kings granted them privileges and gifts of territory, in recognition of their services in the struggle for the Christian faith.
In 1147, alongside Afonso Henriques, the first Portuguese kingThe order contributed to the conquest of Santarém and Lisbon from the Moors. As a reward, Afonso Henriques generously ceded land to them. Gualdim Pais, Master of the Order in Portugal in 1159, received the castle of Ceras and adjacent lands, marking the beginning of Tomar's development. Thanks to royal donations, the Knights Templar extended their fortune, receiving the territories of Idanha and Monsanto in 1165.
Their influence was consolidated with donations across the Tagus and the possession of strategic castles such as Almourol. They played a decisive role in the siege of Tomar in 1190, repelling enemy forces. The Knights Templar ensured the conquest of the line from the Mondego to the Tagus, guaranteeing the security of Portuguese territory and promoting the colonization of the regions they defended. Their legacy lives on in the fortresses and lands they bequeathed to Portugal.
