Medieval Rebranding

Paris, March the 18^th, 1314. Jacques de Molay, Grandmaster of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon aka Knights Templar, and Geoffroi de Charney, Preceptor of Normandy, were burned alive at the stake as relapsed heretics. The evidence was doctored; the accusations were without any substance. How could this have happened?

In ancient times, greed and hunger for more power were strong impetuses for nobles, kings and popes. And so King Philip IV of France and Pope V conspired against the Templars.

Now, dying at the stake is not really a story of Resilience, you might object. Very true. But the history of the Templars is – especially in Portugal.

In Tomar the Templars had a large castle and convent. When the Order of the Templars was liquidated, all the knights and members of the order moved on into the newly created Order of Christ. They slightly altered the coat of arms, so the old garments could be used with these alterations.

The Order of Christ became very important for Portugal, when Prince Henry of Portugal, Duke of Viseu – better known as Henry the Navigator - became Grand Master. Henry was the fourth child of King John I of Portugal.

Henry used his position to further research in Astronomy, Geography, Navigation, Shipbuilding with the support of the Order of Christ. He was a main initiator of the Age of Discovery. But let us not forget the darker sides of history: Henry the Navigator was also very important in establishing the slave trade in Western Europe.

In the panorama you can see the round Templar church. Built in the 12^th century, this church became the main church of the Order of Christ.

Europe / Portugal

Lat: 39° 36' 12.181" N
Long: 9° 26' 7.949" W

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.

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