925 Sterling Silver Knights Templar Seal Pendant/Med (08/03/2009)...

Home > Worthopedia – Price Guide > Fraternal, Political, Organizations >

925 Sterling Silver Knights Templar Seal Pendant/Medal

Terms and Conditions for using our site

925 Sterling Silver Knights Templar Seal Pendant/Medal

Sold For:

or Sign In to see what it's worth.

Sold Date: 08/03/2009
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fraternal, Political, Organizations

You are bidding on a hand cast 925 Sterling Silver Knights Templar Medallion / Pendant. Double sided pendant depicts historical Knights Templar Seals.
1-1/4" in Diameter held by heavy sterling bale with Cross and Trinity Symbol. The Masters of Poitou used this seal. It has been used from the middle of the 8th century to the end of the Order. The Templar Seal shows two knights (perhaps Hugues de Payens and Godfrey de Saint-Omer) on one horse. T are many interpretations of the symbolism of this seal.
Contemporary legend held that the symbol represented the initial poverty of the order; that they could afford only a single horse for every two men. Still, the Rule of the Order from the outset permitted three horses and no more for each knight, as well as no Templars sharing the same horse. Several masters adopted this seal from the beginning of the order until at least 1298. It is known to have been in use since 1167. The Rule forbids two riders on the same beast.
A MUCH MORE PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION, and an actually recorded event, can he found in studying the "surprise" tactics of Richard Lionheart against Saladin during the 3rd. Crusade in 1192. In "The Life of Saladin (1137-1193)" a translation published Delhi, India, 1988, Saladin's chronicler Baha ed-Din Ibn Shaddad (1145-1234) records;
On June 7, 1192, the Crusader army marched to attack the Holy City, (then occupied by Saladin). Richard's spies reported a long-awaited supply train coming from Egypt to relieve Saladin' s army. "...when Richard received information that the caravan was close at hand...a thousand horsemen set out, each of whom took a foot soldier (on his horse] in front of him... at daybreak, he took the caravan unawares...Islam had suffered a serious disaster. The spoils were three thousand camels, three thousand horses,. five hundred prisoners, and a mountain of military supplies. Never was Saladin more grieved, or more anxious."
But at the height of the Templar's prosperity, even with all the funding they were able to collect, they were only able to put a few hundred men on horseback, though t were many more foot soldiers among the sergeants of the Order.