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Quick answer: The best books on the Knights Templar separate the real military order from centuries of legend. Start with The Templars by Dan Jones, The New Knighthood and The Trial of the Templars by Malcolm Barber, The Knights Templar by Helen Nicholson and The Real History Behind the Templars by Sharan Newman.
The Knights Templar began around 1119 as a small group of knights protecting pilgrims on the roads to Jerusalem. Within a century they were one of the richest and most powerful organizations in Europe, with castles in the Holy Land, estates across the West and an early international banking network. In 1307 King Philip IV of France had the Templars arrested on charges historians now regard as false, and the order was dissolved in 1312. Their sudden fall gave birth to endless legends about secret treasure and the Holy Grail. The books below tell the true story, explain how the myths grew and include novels for readers who enjoy the legends.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Templars | Dan Jones | Narrative history | The best introduction |
| The New Knighthood | Malcolm Barber | History | The scholarly standard |
| The Trial of the Templars | Malcolm Barber | History | The order’s fall |
| The Knights Templar | Helen Nicholson | History | A short, reliable overview |
| The Real History Behind the Templars | Sharan Newman | Popular history | Myth-busting |
| The Murdered Magicians | Peter Partner | History of myths | How the legends grew |
| The Templars: The Secret History Revealed | Barbara Frale | History | The Chinon Parchment |
| The Monks of War | Desmond Seward | History | All the military orders |
| The Knights Hospitaller | Helen Nicholson | History | The Templars’ rivals |
| Dungeon, Fire and Sword | John J. Robinson | Popular history | A dramatic narrative |
| The Iron King | Maurice Druon | Historical novel | Fans of royal intrigue |
| The Templar Knight | Jan Guillou | Historical novel | Crusade adventure |
| Templar Silks | Elizabeth Chadwick | Historical novel | Fans of William Marshal |
| The Last Templar | Raymond Khoury | Thriller | Page-turner fans |
| The Da Vinci Code | Dan Brown | Thriller | Seeing where the myths went |
1. The Templars by Dan Jones
Jones tells the full story of the Templars, from their founding in Jerusalem to the trials and burnings in France. It’s fast, vivid and grounded in real sources. Start here.
2. The New Knighthood by Malcolm Barber
Barber, the leading historian of the order, explains how the Templars were organized, how they fought and how they made their money. It’s authoritative and readable.
3. The Trial of the Templars by Malcolm Barber
Barber examines the arrests of 1307, the confessions extracted under torture and the political motives of Philip IV. It’s the best book on why the Templars were destroyed.
4. The Knights Templar by Helen Nicholson
Nicholson, an expert on the military orders, gives a clear account of the Templars’ history, daily life and legacy. It’s concise and myth-free.
5. The Real History Behind the Templars by Sharan Newman
Newman, a medievalist and novelist, answers the questions people actually ask about the Templars, from secret rituals to hidden treasure. It’s fun and reliable.
6. The Murdered Magicians by Peter Partner
Partner traces how the Templars became the stuff of legend, from medieval accusations to Freemasons and occult writers. It’s a fascinating study of a myth.
7. The Templars: The Secret History Revealed by Barbara Frale
Frale, a researcher at the Vatican archives, discusses a document showing the Pope absolved the Templar leaders in 1308. It’s an interesting look at newer evidence.
8. The Monks of War by Desmond Seward
Seward covers the Templars alongside the Hospitallers, the Teutonic Knights and others. It’s a classic, lively overview of the military orders.
9. The Knights Hospitaller by Helen Nicholson
The Hospitallers fought alongside the Templars, survived their fall and went on to Rhodes and Malta. Nicholson tells their story clearly.
10. Dungeon, Fire and Sword by John J. Robinson
Robinson tells the story of the Templars in the Crusades in an energetic, readable way. It’s a good choice if you want battles and drama.
11. The Iron King by Maurice Druon
The first novel of The Accursed Kings opens with the burning of the last Templar Grand Master, who curses the French king. George R. R. Martin has called the series an inspiration.
12. The Templar Knight by Jan Guillou
The second book of Guillou’s Swedish Crusades trilogy follows Arn Magnusson as a Templar in the Holy Land. It’s an absorbing, well-researched adventure.
13. Templar Silks by Elizabeth Chadwick
Chadwick imagines the years William Marshal spent in the Holy Land and the silk cloth he promised to the Templars. It’s richly detailed historical fiction.
14. The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury
A heist at the Metropolitan Museum leads an FBI agent and an archaeologist to a Templar secret. It’s pure entertainment, in the style of The Da Vinci Code.
15. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Brown’s blockbuster made Templar and Grail legends famous worldwide. Read it for fun, then read Barber or Partner to see how little of it is history.
Tips for Reading About the Templars
- Read real history first. Dan Jones or Helen Nicholson will help you spot the myths.
- Learn the dates. Founded around 1119, arrested in 1307, dissolved in 1312.
- Be skeptical of treasure stories. There’s no evidence for hidden Templar gold.
- Compare the military orders. The Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights shared their world.
- Enjoy the novels as novels. Thrillers borrow the legends, not the facts.
- Visit Templar sites. Temple Church in London and Tomar in Portugal are still standing.
Related: best books on the Crusades and best books on the Tudors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book about the Knights Templar?
The Templars by Dan Jones is the best introduction, and The New Knighthood by Malcolm Barber is the scholarly standard.
Why were the Knights Templar arrested?
In 1307 King Philip IV of France had them arrested on charges of heresy and immorality. Most historians believe he wanted their wealth and to cancel his debts to them.
Is The Da Vinci Code historically accurate?
No. It’s an entertaining thriller that borrows Templar legends, but historians reject its claims about the Templars and the Holy Grail.