Sanford Holdst, a 32^nd degree Mason, was our guest speaker who presented some interesting history mixed with facts, a lot of research, and even possible folklore.  The Templar originated when nine men got together at Temple Mount at Soloman Temple.  They accepted others into the Templar, but only those knighted warriors who could show their honor and dignity.  There they banded together as brothers and created the first banking system in Europe.  The system was so vast that it could accept gold and other assets in one area of Europe as a deposit, then pay out a withdrawal in another area as long as the client had a signed, sealed, dated bank receipt.  This wealth became known as the Templar Treasure to many during that time.

After The Crusades had ended, in 1307, the King of France plotted and captured two hundred Templars and took their assets and property.  They were jailed, tortured, and forced to make public confessions of heresy.  The King and Pope Clement V disbanded the Order in 1312 and many Templars were burned at the stake.  Those Templars who were not captured went under ground and were eventually made heroes.  In September of 1313, Bernard of Fuente from Aragonese, Spain was instrumental in re-introducing Templars and Hospiteliers, a similar knighted group.  The Pope ordered them to merge and all become Hospiteliers.  They began having secret meetings and eventually went under ground once again.

It was noted that in 1381 there was a “Peasant Revolt” by a group of men in hiding and that even Christopher Columbus used the Knights of Templar red cross on the sails of the three ships that discovered America, The Nina, The Pinta, The Santa Maria.

Aaron asked if the Templars had influenced the Masons.  Sanfords response was that they did co-exist at the same time but there is not hard evidence.  Ernie Aragon stated that he heard reference in the presentation to the name Aragon and asked if they were great people.  Our presenter, Sanford responded, yeah, they were great!

Submitted by

Pat Dolphin