The Templar’s in Portugal, the Military Order of the Temple, were founded in France, specifically in the Champagne region, in 1120 during the Council of Nablus. It was one of the most well-known military orders in medieval Christian Europe, created primarily to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Lands of Christianity in the Middle East, which were increasingly coming under Islamic rule.
Initially, the Templar’s were under the dependence of the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre, but they quickly gained autonomy under the leadership of their first Grand Master, Hugh de Payens.
The Templar’s, also known as the Knights of Christ or the Knights of the Temple of Solomon, dedicated their lives to religious service, committing to the evangelical vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. They devoted their lives to protecting pilgrims and defending Christianity against the Islamic power that threatened Christians.
The Order of the Temple, along with other military orders such as Santiago, Calatrava, the Hospital, and Avis, supported the armies of Christian kings and lords during the Crusades against the so-called “infidels” in both the Middle East and the Iberian Peninsula. They aimed to reclaim territories of former Christian dominion that had been conquered by the Muslims, often in exchange for compensations.
Due to unclear factors, the Order of the Temple was subjected to a tragic process that led to its dissolution after nearly two centuries of existence. This “anti-Templar” movement was led by the King of France, Philip IV (the Fair), who, together with Pope Clement V, accused the Templar’s of heresy and severe misconduct.
Templar’s in Portugal
The French monarch, whether with justified evidence or not, pressured the Pope to dissolve the Order and condemn its leadership. This culminated in the execution of the last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, burned at the stake in 1314.
Despite this, King Dinis of Portugal refused to accept the papal decree ordering the dissolution of the Order, recognizing the invaluable service the Templar’s provided in defending and populating Portuguese territory. With great diplomatic skill, he obtained papal approval to rename the Order rather than disband it entirely. The Order was rebranded as the Order of Christ, preserving its members, assets, and organizational structure.
This decision proved to be of great importance, as the Order of Christ went on to promote and finance Portuguese maritime discoveries. Under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal made history as the first global empire and a pioneer of globalization.
The conquest of Ceuta in 1415 marked the beginning of Portugal’s overseas expansion, followed by the discovery of Madeira in 1419/20. These voyages led to the exploration of the African coast, the perilous rounding of the Cape of Storms, the maritime route to India in 1498, and the official discovery of Brazil in 1500.
The Order of Christ played a key role in the expansion of the Portuguese Empire, establishing a vast global network in competition with Spain. This rivalry was regulated by the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, which divided the newly discovered world into two spheres of influence under the auspices of the Catholic Church.
Portugal’s imperial expansion was closely accompanied by the Catholic Church’s missionary efforts, ensuring the spread of the faith in newly discovered lands.
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