Historian Dan Jones' ‘The Templars: The Rise and Fall of God's Holy Warriors' was first published in 2017. With a specialist interest in the Middle Ages, Jones' other best-selling popular history titles have focused on subjects as diverse as the reign of the Plantagenet monarchs and the Peasants' Revolt. ‘The Templars' is the first of his works to be published in a Folio Society edition.
Jones covers around two centuries of history in ‘The Templars'. Told chronologically, he recounts how the order of the Knights Templars was founded in 1119 for the purpose of protecting Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. The book opens with an account of English pilgrim Saewulf's dangerous trip to Jerusalem, which he recorded for posterity. Made up of soldiers from across Europe, the order was international, stretching far and wide. Like many religious sects, they are bound by rules and live austere, chaste lives. Explaining the seeming contradiction of a military group with strong Christian faith and often called to battle, Jones' narrative takes readers through the various Crusades (the most famous being the Third, led by Richard the Lionheart). Strong relationships with monarchs – including Bad King John – as well as the papacy, ensured that the Templars' reputation grew. So too did their wealth, and therefore their power. Jones vividly captures how the humble origins of the Templars gradually evolved into immense political and social power and influence.
As all good things come to an end, so too did the order of the Knights Templars. Jones' narrative builds toward their bloody downfall in the early 1300s following a conflict with King Philip IV of France. Yet, three quarters of a millennium after the order was officially disbanded, the Templars remain part of the Western psyche. The secretive band of Catholic soldiers fascinate us to this day, with their chivalry, secret rituals and significance at the heart of world conflicts. Jones lifts the veil on the Templars' contributions to history, separating fact from mythology. This ensures readers meet the Templars for themselves and make up their own minds about these enigmatic and endlessly fascinating soldiers for Christ.
‘The Templars' takes readers all over the world. One of the great strengths of the book is how the author paints an evocative picture of remote places. Those familiar with Biblical stories will know many of the names. Jerusalem and the surrounding territories make up a large part of the narrative because of the influential role of the knights in the Crusades. The unfortunate city of Gaza, once prosperous thanks to its strategic trading route between Egypt and Syria, is a ruined casualty of war by 1149. Fast forward nearly a millennium and the area remains contested and war torn. It's a vivid reminder of how history rhymes if not repeats. Israeli cities such as Haifa and the Arab port of Jaffa are included. Anyone who's travelled in the Middle East will be delighted with how alive the area is with essential history, and how cities and places of worship, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, remain recognisable to this day. Further north, we move to Aleppo in Syria, which became a stronghold of Saladin (a westernised take on Salah al-Din), the Sultan of Egypt, a key adversary in the book.
‘The Templars' is commendable for humanising the Muslim leaders and providing a balanced historical view. Jones, like all good historians, does not judge the subjects of his research, or take sides in the conflicts. Simply, he recounts the events with great skill and pace, allowing his readers to come to their own conclusions about the wars and skirmishes recounted. Sophisticated and intelligent, Saladin is introduced as “more dangerous than Nur al-Din, wilier than Shirkuh and no less ferocious than Zenghi. He would cause the Franks in general, and the Templars in particular, more trouble than they had experienced in seven decades of occupation.” It is quite the entrance, and Saladin is certainly among the most memorable characters in the book.
Dan Jones writes with great fluidity and is a born storyteller. He spots the human interest angle and ensures that the events he's recounting resonate with contemporary readers. ‘The Templars' has been meticulously researched. The author cites from many contemporary sources (both European and Middle Eastern), and there are copious notes and a bibliography at the back of the book. Telling two centuries of history in just over four hundred relatively large print text necessarily means being highly selective, and Jones doesn't get bogged down in scene setting or the technical details of military history. This is my preferred approach to popular history books. ‘The Templars' is written to appeal to a wide readership and to make accessible the period of the Middle Ages. The fact that Jones' books sell very well attests to his success in achieving his aims. Readers who prefer a more rigorous and academic approach to history, or thorough analysis of military strategy, may find this book doesn't provide sufficient detail. However, for those with a strong interest in history, especially if (like me) you're keen to expand your horizons outside of your special interest area (Roman history in my case) and delve into the often-overlooked Middle Ages, then ‘The Templars' is a thoroughly entertaining read that will undoubtedly increase your knowledge.
The Folio Society's editions combine high production standards with artistry and craftsmanship to produce beautiful, strong and eye-catching books. The design of ‘The Templars' is exceptional, even by their standards. Maps depicting the Holy Land when the Templars were founded and indicating Saewulf's journey are included to help readers unfamiliar with the geography of the Middle East. The front cover is exquisitely detailed, showing the Templar's crest, with design like a Medieval tapestry. The Latin/Greek phrase Sigillum militum xpisti runs in a circle on the reverse, spelling out ‘the seal of the soldiers of Christ'. There are copious full colour page inserts depicting Medieval artistic interpretations of events. Also included are photographs of relics from the era, including Richard the First's tomb effigy at Anjou. Stunning photos of places from key events such as the Citadel at Aleppo and the Castle of Baghras provide visual clues to exotic landmarks for the reader. The iconic red cross of the Templars is embossed on the black protective case. If you're looking for a luxurious Christmas present for the history-lover in your life, The Folio Society's ‘The Templars' has the wow factor.
Publisher: The Folio Society Publication date: 21st October 2025 Buy ‘The Templars'
