The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest [Paperback]

Karen Ralls (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Who were the medieval Knights Templar?  How did they become so powerful and influential?  Why were they suddenly arrested and tortured in 1307?  What happened after their suppression?  And how does their memory live on today?

The powerful Knights Templar, famed monastic warriors of the Crusades, have long been shrouded in mystery.  They were believed to conduct mystical rites, guard various relics, and perhaps possess the lost treasures of Jerusalem.  They were also bankers to kings, trusted diplomats, skilled farmers, business scions, and navigators.  Drawing on both academic and local sources, this book provides a solidly researched, up-to-date academic history of the Order of the Temple, the Knights Templar (Part One), while also examining various theories about the Templars and their enduring mythos today (Part Two).

A vital contribution to medieval Templar history, 12th-14th century medieval religious studies, Crusades studies, Grail and related literature, and an analysis of modern-day interest in the medieval Order of the Temple (1119-1312).  Appendices include a comprehensive Chronology of Events (1118-1571), a list of Grand Masters,  information on major Templar sites, and illustrations featuring Rosslyn Chapel (Scotland) and its museum exhibition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Templar tour-de-force...In this work Dr. Ralls has created an important bridge between these two extraordinary and long-lived themes. -- from the FORWARD, by John Matthews

A concise and easy-to-read survey of two richly symbolic and enduring aspects of the Middle Ages -- Renaissance Magazine (Fall 2003)

A factual history of the medieval Templar Order...Informative and readable excursion into the ever-fascinating world of quest -- Caduceus magazine (UK; June 2003)

A practical history of the Templars...this book is a 'must' for those interested in the western mysteries -- Chev. Robert Brydon, Rosslyn Chapel Museum exhibition owner and Templar archivist, Edinburgh

An open-minded look at the history, influence and mysteries of the Knights Templar...can be usefully read by anyone interested -- Freemasonry Today magazine, Summer 2003 issue

Fair, open-minded yet responsible...If you're looking for the one indispensable book about the Knights Templar, this is it. -- from the Back Cover-- by Robert Ellwood, Prof. Emeritus, Religion, University of Southern California

Fascinating!...steers a middle course between dry scholarship and extravagent speculation, with real insight into the Templar and Grail traditions. -- Scientific and Medical Network Journal, UK, 2003

From the Black Madonna...to the Ark of the Covenant..it's all in this book...Fascinating! -- Avalon Magazine, Glastonbury, Summer 2003 issue

It is quite the most readable, factual book about the Templars I have ever seen...Maj. Gen. Sir Roy Redgrave -- Knights Templar International OSMTH journal,June 2003 issue

Lays to rest some of the wilder stories about the Templars, but there are still plenty of mysterious connections left. -- Quest magazine of Magical Heritage, London, No.134, June 2003

From the Back Cover

"Fascinating!  Karen Ralls steers a middle course between dry scholarship and extravagant speculation, with real insights into the Templar and the Grail traditions."
--David Lorimer, Director,  Scientific and Medical Network

"...Karen Ralls gives us the basic known facts about Templar history, and also deals with the colorful speculations in a fair, open-minded, yet responsible way.  If you're looking for the one indispensable book about the Knights Templar, this is it."
--  Robert Ellwood, Professor of Religion Emeritus, University of Southern California

"A practical history of the Templars...this book is a must for those interested in the Western Mysteries."   -- Robert Brydon, FSA Scot., Templar historian


Who were the mysterious medieval Knights Templar, and how can we separate fact from fiction?

How does their mythos and its meaning live on today?

Dr Karen Ralls presents the unfolding drama of the Knights Templar through time, examining the many beliefs and theories about their presumed powers and knowledge.  Drawing on both academic and popular sources, she provides a solidly-researched, up-to-date perspective and includes exclusive photos from Rosslyn Chapel and its museum exhibition.  The result is a riveting read and a vital contribution to Templar history and their enduring spiritual legacy.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books; 1 edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835608077
• ISBN-13: 978-0835608077
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #427,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Whatever our chosen paths, we are all on a quest. History, local traditions, and visiting historical sites can often enlighten and assist us on this journey. I write my books for all of you, as we mutually step back in time and explore what history has to offer us today -- "Quest on"! All best wishes, Karen

Karen M. Ralls, PhD, medieval historian and world religions and spiritualities scholar, obtained her doctorate from the University of Edinburgh, followed by six years as Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer (Univ. of Edinburgh, Celtic Dept.) and Deputy Curator of the Rosslyn Chapel Museum art exhibition (1996-2001) prior to relocating to Oxford, England, where she continues her specialist research,media/TV/film outreach, and music projects. A member of The Chalice Well, Rosslyn Chapel (Scotland), and Gatekeeper Pilgrimage Trusts (UK), the American Academy of Religion, and the British Association for the Study of Religions, Dr Ralls has appeared on major American, British and European TV documentaries for History Channel, Discovery, National Geographic, BBC Channel 4, etc., and has completed a specialist Medieval and Renaissance art history course at the renowned Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London.

Often widely recognized for her groundbreaking work, Dr Ralls is an international lecturer, conference speaker, noted author, historical and sacred sites tour guide, and workshop/retreat/events presenter. As Medieval Editor, she has also written a column for Sacred History, an American magazine for general readers whose debut issue was selected in 2006 by Library Journal as one of the "Top 30 new US periodical releases". Originally from the USA, Dr Ralls' books include The Templars and the Grail (Quest Books), The Knights Templar Encyclopedia (Career Press), Music and the Celtic Otherworld (Edinburgh University Press & Palgrave/Macmillan), Quest for the Celtic Key (Luath, Edinburgh); Indigenous Religious Music (SOAS Musicology Series, UK), and more. Also a musician (flute, Celtic harp), Karen has a Facebook Author Page and her award-winning website is http://www.ancientquest.com




*some of the TV documentaries include:

Medieval Mysteries (2010)

The Quest: The Greatest Knight of All (Vol III - part of the Knights Templar Quest DVD Series, Classic Media/Shepperton Studios, UK. "Presented by Dr Nick Barratt of the BBC TV flagship programme 'Who do you think you are', and featuring the eminent medieval Templar historian Dr Karen Ralls and others, this Volume III DVD of the series investigates the specific history, legends, and mysteries surrounding the medieval Knights Templar." 2 discs; running time 110 min.'s (2008)

Quest for the Lost Ark (History Channel, BBC 4) (2008)

Looking for a Grail Legend (DVD); with Dr Karen Ralls (at Rosslyn Chapel), Prof. Ronald Hutton, John Matthews, Jude Currivan, Maddy Prior, etc. (UK production, 2007)

Mysteries of the Freemasons (National Geographic, 2006)

Medieval Pilgrimage - A Sacred Journey (2006)

Secret History of Religion: Knights Templar (Curtis Productions, Chicago; National Geographic) - a 'special Thank You' to Dr Karen Ralls (2006)

Decoding the Past: The Templar Code (History Channel; 2005)

Beyond the Da Vinci Code (History Channel; 2005); The Da Vinci Code Decoded (History Channel; 2004)

Quest for the Holy Grail (UK); filmed at Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland; (Discovery Channel, 2003)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! A tribute to the Knights Templar, June 8, 2003

By 

Shelli Wright Johnson (Valparaiso, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest (Paperback)

Having read books by various authors about the enigmatic Knights Templar and the ever mysterious Grail, each asserting a different spin of the so-called "facts" or proposing a particular pet theory, I was thrilled to get my hands on one book that not only provides carefully documented yet easy to read facts, but also shows us (to quote from the author)"how to distinguish between fact, sensationalism, and honest, informed speculation. This book aims to make the acedemic material accessible, as well as to take a fresh, up-to-date look at a selection of theories." Dr. Ralls' unique interdisciplinary approach makes for an informative and enlightning read about a historical era shrouded in legend, mystery and international intrigue. I found the extensive Bibliography very helpful, in addition to the Chronology of Events during the time of the Templars! I was also impressed by the heartfelt "tribute" to the Templar Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, at the end of the Introduction, as well as the unusual information about the Black Madonna, the Jolly Roger pirate flag symbolism, and the mysterious beginnings of the Order. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evocative and compelling, August 27, 2003

By 

D. Boyle "David Boyle" (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest (Paperback)

So much of the literature on the Templars is either dry and cynical or so wild that you don't know what to believe. This book strikes exactly the right balance, and it's extremely readable and evokes the whole extraordinary period, and the mystery too. It is authoritative enough to be trustworthy, but interested in the myth and the legends as well. It really is the best introduction to the subject I've read.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and evocative yet balanced, February 11, 2004

By 

Alastair MacDonald (Edinburgh, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest (Paperback)

Written by an academic medieval historian, this is one of the best history books on the Knights Templar to come out for some time -- it is balanced (many academic but also some popular sources used, but carefully) and thoughtful, yet still manages to be readable and very intriguing. An ideal combo. The sources are reliable, so this author simply does not need to resort to mere sensationalism, which is so often the case with books on the Templars. The material on Scotland is great, especially the chapter on the enigmatic carvings of Rosslyn Chapel, a place that was also featured in the novel The Da Vinci Code. I would have liked a bit more on medieval Templar naval strategies and warfare and the Jolly Roger, but overall, if you are looking for a solid, reliable book that still has compelling research, admitting that there are still some important unanswered questions about the 'White knights' of the Crusades -- it's a valuable reference book to have around, plus a great read!