The Templars in Britain The Knights Templar were donated land all across Britain. They were given estates by wealthy land owners who wanted to be associated with the popular order and to provide assistance Some of these places can still be recognised by the word Temple in their names. Cressing Temple, Temple Newsham, Temple Dinsley and Temple Balsall are just a few. Round Churches In London the Templars built a round church situated near Fleet Street called 'The Temple'. The Temple Church was consecrated in 1185. The templars built a series of round churches across England; the shape possibly derived from the shape of the mosque they inhabited in Jerusalem. Other examples include churches in Cambridge and the remains at Temple Bruer in Lincolnshire. Banking System and Wealth Travelling across country with large sums of money was a risk and so the Templars organised a banking system that allowed a person travelling to the Middle East to deposit a sum of money with the Order in their home country then travel abroad and collect an equal sum at the other end. The traveller was given an encrypted note that gave relevant information to the Templars at the other end as to amount of money that should be paid. Although the Order had the vow of poverty the Templars became extremely wealthy with the income from the lands they owned and the amounts of donations they received. |
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