From Freemasonry to the Illuminati, it all began with the secret society of the Knights Templar. In medieval Europe, the Knights Templar possessed the political power and financial riches enjoyed by popes and kings, but eventually rival powers and accusations of heresy brought them down in the Middle Ages. Founded to protect Christian pilgrims traveling from Europe to the Holy Land, the Knights Templar, the most famous order of warrior monks, have gone from near-total obscurity to the stuff of bestselling books and blockbuster films.

This beautifully illustrated volume brings to light every aspect of the Templar Order, including their tumultuous history from their humble beginnings to their destruction some 200 years later, as well as, the author s own proposition that key members of the order escaped with their fabled Templar treasure to present-day Switzerland, where they were to continue to carry out one of their major activities as bankers to the world. Shrouded in mystery, this small band that started with nine knights has grown to be one of the most enigmatic historical forces in not only the Catholic Church, but the world; this book finally addresses the unanswered questions that still surround them.

Alan Butler also examines the recently issued facsimile of their trial by the Vatican court, proving their innocence of all charges brought against them, as well as, discussing their current claim for 130 million dollars against the Roman Catholic Church for property seized illegally by the descendants of the original Order in Spain.