Recommended Factual Books on the Knights Templar for Readers

For factual books on the Knights Templar, Malcolm Barber and Helen J. Nicholson offer the most reliable and authoritative works. Barber’s The New Knighthood: A History of the Order of the Temple (1994) serves as a comprehensive and scholarly history of the order. He also authored The Trial of the Templars (2006), which details their persecution and trial with rigorous academic research.

Helen J. Nicholson, recognized as a leading expert, has written The Everyday Life of the Templars: The Knights Templar at Home (2017). It presents well-researched insights into the daily existence and functioning of the Templars, crafted for readers new to the topic. This book offers an accessible entry point without sacrificing accuracy.

Beyond these authored works, excellent edited collections offer diverse perspectives and scholarly essays:

• The Debate on the Trial of the Templars (2010), edited by Nicholson, Paul F. Crawford, and Jochen Burgtorf, analyzes contested aspects of the Templars’ legal proceedings.
• The Templars and their Sources (2017), by Karl Borchardt, Karoline Döring, Philippe Josserand, and Nicholson, explores original documents and the historiography of the order.
• The Templars: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of a Military Religious Order (2021), edited by Jochen Burgtorf, Shlomo Lotan, and Enric Mallorquí-Ruscalleda, provides recent scholarship on the order’s historical context and aftermath.

Primary sources translated into English also enhance factual understanding:

• Malcolm Barber and Keith Bate’s The Templars: Selected Sources (2007) compiles important medieval texts related to the order.
• Bernard of Clairvaux’s In Praise of the New Knighthood, translated by M. Conrad Greenia, reveals contemporary views on the Templars’ mission.
• Judith M. Upton-Ward’s The Rule of the Templars: The French Text of the Rule of the Order of Knights Templar (1992) provides a critical edition of the order’s rulebook, essential for understanding their code.

Readers seeking a thorough understanding should prioritize Barber and Nicholson’s books. Barber may present dense prose, suitable for those comfortable with academic works. Nicholson combines scholarly depth with more approachable language, making her works ideal for newcomers.

Many popular books on Templars mix myth and sensationalism. The texts recommended here avoid speculation and focus on documented history, fulfilling the need for accuracy and context. These works reflect current academic consensus and use verified archival sources.

These publications offer well-researched, factual accounts crucial for anyone wanting real historical knowledge about the Knights Templar. They avoid sensationalism and provide solid foundations for further research or personal interest.

• Malcolm Barber’s works are foundational but sometimes dense.
• Helen J. Nicholson’s books blend approachability with scholarship.
• Edited collections provide a variety of expert viewpoints.
• Primary source translations allow direct engagement with medieval texts.
• Steer clear of popular myths by sticking to these academic sources.

Can someone please recommend me some good books on the knights Templar that are factual?

Looking for factual books on the Knights Templar? You’re not alone. This medieval military order sparks curiosity everywhere, but it’s easy to get lost in a sea of pop-history fiction and conspiracy mumbo jumbo. Luckily, there’s solid academic work out there that tells the real story.

If you want **factually accurate, well-researched, and engaging** books about the Knights Templar, look no further than the scholars who *really* know their stuff. Let’s dive into the best reliable reads that will put myths aside and give you the authentic lowdown.

Why Avoid the Templar “Pop-History” Vortex?

The Templars have long been the subject of sensational stories—from secret treasures to shadowy conspiracies. While these tales are fun, they often muddy the waters when you want serious history.

Thankfully, academic historians have tackled the topic extensively. Their work is rigorous, sourced, and *boring-free*—well, mostly. But they’ll get you the facts.

The Go-To Authors: Malcolm Barber and Helen J. Nicholson

When it comes to solid Templar studies, you can’t skip Malcolm Barber. He’s a top scholar on the subject, though his writing can be a bit dense. If you don’t mind putting on your serious-reader hat, start here.

• Malcolm Barber’s The New Knighthood: A History of the Order of the Temple (1994) is a classic history. It covers the origins, operations, and ultimate downfall of the Templars in detail.
• For those wanting to dig into the legal drama, his The Trial of the Templars (2006) is a fascinating study of how the order was accused and dismantled.

Now, if you like your history with a friendlier tone and a glimpse into everyday life (yes, knights had homes too!), Helen J. Nicholson is your guide. She’s probably *the* current leading expert on the Templars and their cousins, the Hospitallers.

• The Everyday Life of the Templars: The Knights Templar at Home (2017) is a fresh, accessible book that walks you through the daily realities of these knights.

Her writing is much easier to digest than Barber’s, making it an ideal starting point for non-experts curious about the Templars.

Digging Deeper with Edited Collections

Sometimes multiple academic minds combined give the best picture. Edited volumes bring fresh perspectives and debates together.

• The Debate on the Trial of the Templars (2010) by Nicholson, Crawford, and Burgtorf is a thorough, multi-angled look into the trial that destroyed the order.
• The Templars and their Sources (2017), edited by Borchardt, Döring, Josserand, and Nicholson, explores original historical sources and what they reveal about Templar activities.
• For the latest scholarship, check The Templars: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of a Military Religious Order (2021) by Burgtorf, Lotan, and Mallorquí-Ruscalleda. This work covers the big picture: how the Templars began, ended, and continue to influence culture.

Primary Sources Translated for Modern Readers

Want to get as close as possible to the medieval Templars? Dive into primary sources with expert translations.

• The Templars: Selected Sources (2007) by Barber and Bate brings crucial documents to you in English, letting you read medieval texts historically.
• Bernard of Clairvaux’s In Praise of the New Knighthood—trans. M. Conrad Greenia—offers insight from the Templars’ spiritual patron, a must-read for understanding their religious drive.
• Need the rulebook? Judith M. Upton-Ward translated the Rule of the Templars (1992), the actual French text governing Templar life. It’s a window into their rules and commitments.

How to Choose Your Templar Book?

Ask yourself what you want to know. Are you after serious history? Or something easier and anecdotal? Or do you want to read original medieval documents?

Malcolm Barber is the go-to if you want the history with all the tough academic details. Think of him as the “textbook” author if textbooks were about knights.

Helen J. Nicholson makes the Templars real for modern readers. She’s like the historian who also happens to be your friendly tour guide.

Collections and translated sources add layers and voices to your understanding. Use them if you want broader perspectives or primary evidence.

Quick Recommendations

Final Thoughts: Should You Read Just One?

Unlike a mysterious Templar relic, the best understanding comes from multiple sources. Don’t settle for one book—mix Barber’s scholarship with Nicholson’s storytelling and toss in some primary sources.

Templar history is complex, exciting, and *rich.* Approaching it from different angles makes sure you get the whole picture —minus the secret treasure maps and wild conspiracy theories.

So, what will be your first pick? Want to understand the Templars beyond the myths? Start with Nicholson’s The Everyday Life of the Templars. Then, graduate to Barber’s deep dive. Happy reading!