A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AND THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF

THE GOTHIC CATHEDRALS A REPORT WRITTEN BY JOAQUIN VELEZ (O.C.L)

History always shows that knowledge is only available to the selected few. The church was after, the secret historical relics discovered by the Knights Templars in the holy city of Jerusalem. How have they existed down through the ages? This report will shed light on the fact that the building of the Gothic cathedrals was a magical operation of maximum importance. The Knights Templar were a religious military order founded by Baldwin of Bource in 1118 at their headquarters in Jerusalem. They had attached the words "of the temple of Solomon" while the original order, which emerged in 1100, were called "Guardians of the Royal Secret" (De Vere 79). Their headquarters were near the ruins of where the ancient temple of Solomon once stood (Icke 84). Nine noblemen began the Order of the Knights Templar and it at once became a very secretive military organization. They started with the intention of protecting the pilgrims on their way to the holy land (NSE k108). It was a man by the name Hugh de Puyan who acted in collaboration with Andre de Montbard, the uncle of Bernard of Clairvau, these two along with seven others noble concerted the ideals for this new order. The original nine knights that are believed to have started this order are: 1) Hugh de Payen, a vassal of Hugh de Champagne and a relative by marriage to the St. Clairs of Roslin 2) Andre de Montbard, the uncle of Bernard of Clairvaux 3) Geoffroi de St. Omar 4) Payen de Montdidie, the House of Flanders 5) Achambaud De St. Anand 6) Geoffroi Bisol 7) Gondemar, a Cistercian monk 8) Rosal, also a Cistercian monk 9) Godfroi (http://www.templarhistory.com). The younger brother of Godffroi de Bouillon was King Baudin the 1 of Jerusalem. They told their intention to the King for their order to protect the Holy Land from infidels, and "as far as their strength permitted, that they should keep the roads and highways safe... with a special regard for the protection of pilgrims" (Gies 110). They then took on the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience to the pope. By the year 1260 the Templars numbered 20,000 (N.S.Ek-108). The symbol for there new order was the cross of Lorraine also known historically as the Templar cross which was a red cross on a white background (Sterns 210). Hugh de Payen was the first Grand master of the knights Templar. The Cistercian monks [Gondemar and Rosal] were just transferring their allegiance to the new order. Bernard of Clairvaux was the founder of the Cistercian order and in addition had a Templar archive in Seborga, in northern Italy that housed documents that demand further study. He had a monastery built there to protect "a great secret". Among the treasures in which they were said to be in possession of are of the first century of Christendom. Included were the crown of the thorns the was place on the head of Jesus. And they were thought to have the most priceless of all relics, the Holy Grail. These are significant items to have especially for a "poor order of knights of Jerusalem"(N.SE.k108) Moreover, scholars and researchers have debated if in fact if they possessed "a Grand Secret". Some have tried to make this to be an association with the Holy Grail, but this has the ramifications to shake Christianity to it very core. And between this is that the real story of Christ is known only by an elite few:

"The Facts concerning his identity and mission are among the priceless mysteries preserved to this day in the secret vaults beneath the "Houses of the Brethren". To a few of the knights who were initiated into the arcana of the Druses, Nazarenes, Johannites and other sects still inhabiting the remote and inaccessible fatness of the Holy Land, part of the strange story was told. The knowledge of the Templars concerning Christianity was undoubtedly one of the main reasons for their persecution and final annihilation (Hall 579)".

From the record at there archives they undertook a series of excavations under their quarters at the temple mound. And also they dug a series of tunnels in which they thought was were the legendary Ark of the Covenant could be found (Gardner 45 ). Chartres cathedral in France depicted on stone what the Templars sought to find, a carving showed

the Ark of the Covenant. It was in the entrance to the church where all who entered could see it (105). Legends say it was buried by King Solomon in a deep secret cavern underneath the temple of Jerusalem (54).It was none other than the first Grand Master who was in charge of recovering the lost Ark and the "Secrets of Solomon'' (44). There are legends that might point to the fact that they found artifacts that could be considered sacred from the old temple in Jerusalem, along with scrolls and parchments of a high importance (47). Another important artifact discovered at Qumran was the copper scroll. A Manchester university professor John Allegro deciphered it. What the scroll contained was a burial map of all the sites in the Holy Land where the treasures of Jerusalem were concealed and hidden (66). Thus, the Templars knew precisely where to dig and what to look for. What modern day archaeologists keep finding in their explorations is evidence of Templar excavations all throughout the Holy Land. All occurring during the 12th century (72).

The wealth of the Templars was their greatest asset in the operation of their navel fleets all throughout the Mediterranean coast. The assets that would have signified material wealth in those times was land and the Templars owed land throughout Europe. Lands in Denmark, Scotland and the Orkney Islands. Estates in France, Italy and in Spain. Most of there occupational interests involving farming, vineyards, stone quarries (Stern 219). The Templars were great architects and builders, they financed virtually all of there own buildings and churches. There classic round churches that were based on the octagon, was based on the design of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. In England men who made a living working with stone were called stonemasons. And in working together they created what were the religious buildings as "it is known that there existed schools of builders" (Ouspensky 345). While financed by the knights templar, which they in turn gained the knowledge of architecture from "Dionysian craftsmen who were universally employed in the erection of early Christian abbeys and cathedrals" (Hall 572) and were also known as the ""Dionysian Artificers". In addition, the cathedrals were permeated "with symbolism associated with modern freemasonry, including the black and white squares checkered floor on the floor of their temples" (Icke 228). The craftsmen who built the cathedrals "referred to themselves as the sons of Solomon' (Hall 573) being that King Solomon ordered the building of the first temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:5-8). The Children of Solomon were given the 'rule' in March 1145 by Bernard of Clarvaux and the erection of cathedrals began in haste to be built all across Europe.

"We the Knights of Christ and of the temple follow the destiny that prepares us to die for Christ We have the wish to give this rule of living, of work and of honor to the constructors of churches so that Christianity can spread throughout the earth not so that our name should be remembered, Oh Lord, but that your name should live" (Gies 132)

The greatest of all the styles of architecture saw its inevitable arrival in the form of the awesomely stunning Gothic cathedrals. Nothing like it has ever existed before. Many people don't realize that the Catholic Church had no involvement whatsoever in the building of the great cathedrals. It is almost certain that "the Catholic church of the 11th and 12th century did not build Notre dame" (Ouspensky 346). A reason as to why these types of churches existed and were unlike anything ever built before or after; "Our great Cathedrals, built by medieval Freemasons in order to ensure the transmission of hermetic symbols and doctrines" (Fulcanelli 118) was something that the early church had no part of, considering that "the Gothic cathedral, that sanctuary of the tradition, science and art, should not be regarded as a work dedicated solely to the glory of Christianity" (36). The Templars certainly wanted to ensure the transmission of certain ideas far into the future and that the church, while not wanting to be "was made the instrument for the preservation and propagation of true Christianity, that is, true religion as in true knowledge" (Ouspensky 346) and that the church's doctrine "was absolutely foreign to it" (346). The majestic size of the Gothic cathedrals while admired by believers and the faithful it's architectural purposes and it allegorical representations were not "it seems, concerned entirely with religious observance" (Fulcanelli 37). There is no doubt that "the building of the cathedrals was part of a cleverly designed plan" (Ouspensky 345) Invariably, the Templar legacy was meant to remain for the rest of time and througe the ages to our

present day "and show us the ideas of the true Freemasons" (346).

The downfall of the templars was fated to happen because of their vast wealth and independence threatened to interfere with those of the monarchy, particularly the King of France, Philip the 4th.His determination was to "destroy their power and seize their properties" by suppressing the order that once served him as his leading bankers (N.W.E 236). On the date of Friday,October 13th, 1307 almost all the templars in the country were arrested and all of there property was seized by the King. He pressure the current pope, Clement the 5th to calumniate and to state charges against them by using propaganda about the order's alleged heresies and immorality['Bahomet' idol worship and homosexuality](Icke 34). The 32nd Grand Master of the Order of the Knights Templar Jacques De Molay was in prison for the last seven years of his life. He confessed to the inquisitors that he denied Christ and desecrated the Holy cross but it was so that his tortures would be relieved. He denounced all accusations that his order practiced homosexual rituals but the inquisitors tortured so many templars, they plead guilty (N.S.Ek-108). On the day of his death on March 18th ,1314 he was led out to publicly confess his and the templar's sins. He withdrew the earlier confession and said that the only sin he committed was lying am his brethren so that his tortures would cease. He was burned alive along with Geoffrey de Chartney on an island in the Seine (E.W.H 235). Jacques De Molay's last words were:

"To say that which is untrue is a crime both in the sight of God and man. Not one of us has betrayed his God or his country. I do confess my guilt, which consists in having, to my shame and dishonor, suffered myself, through the pain of torture and the fear of death, to give utterance to falsehoods imputing scandalous sins and iniquities to an illustrious Order, which has nobly served the cause of Christianity. I disdain to seek a wretched and disgraceful existence by en grafting another lie upon the original falsehood"

History always has had a way of repeating itself "to recover that which was once lost" was what the stories of

King Arthur were all about. This order of knights had a very definite aim and purpose which was to find the truth and then to keep it away from the church, the very church that suppressed them in 1314 and which had their Grand Master killed on false charges. The catholic church of bishops, priests and cardinals did not build the great cathedrals of the Gothic period they were built with templar money and free masonic craftsmanship. The church may occupy These beautiful templar structures, but the church does not have the responsibility to hand out the truth. Clearly then, it was imperative for the Knights templar to transmit their knowledge to future generations by one of two ways: 1) the alteration of the original order into new orders to keep their traditions and the rites of initiation. 2) The understanding of Gothic architecture. Often we pass a phenomenon without noticing it, like men who are blind or deaf and not marvel. How could such beauty exist in our dying world?

If you want to know more about the secrets of the Templars I highly recommend the book "Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark" by bestselling Author Sir Laurence Gardner.

JOAQUIN VELEZ (O.C.L) 2006

LIST OF THE SO CALL “TRUE” ART GOTHIC CATHEDRALSclanly 1097 approx. Le Mans 1200 ?-1250 Rheims 1220-1236 Durham 1093 St. Denis, Paris 1136 Laon 1160

Notre Dame de Paris 1179 Canterbury 1180 approx Chartres 1194 Bourges 1195 Salisbury 1220 Beauvais 1225 Westminster Abbey 1245

CATHEDRAL PICS

Image Names and Summary Dates Architecture

Aix-en-Provence CathedralCathédrale St-Sauveur Built on the site of ancient pagan temples, this cathedral is best known for its Burning Bush Triptych by Nicolas Froment.

12th-17th cent.

Gothic

Albi Cathedral Cathédrale Ste-CecileThis Gothic fortress-like structure is the largest brick building in the world. Built in the heart of Cathar country after the Albigensian Crusade, it is a stern statement of the strength of orthodoxy.

1282-1480 Gothic

Amiens CathedralCathédrale Notre-DameAmiens is the tallest of the 13th-century "classic" Gothic churches and the largest of its kind in France.

1220-1269 Gothic

Angers CathedralCathédrale St-MauriceDating from the 12th and 13th centuries, Angers Cathedral is known for its sculpture portal and fine stained glass windows.

12th-13th cent.

Gothic and Romanesque

Arles Cathedral Primatiale St-TrophimeNotable for its stone-carved portal, this World Heritage Site also has lovely cloisters.

12th-15th cent.

Romanesque

Autun CathedralCathédrale St-LazareCompleted in 1146, Autun's cathedral was built as a pilgrimage church to house the relics of Lazarus and is famed for its splendid collection of sculptures by the Romanesque sculptor Gislebertus.

12th cent. Romanesque with Gothic additions

Avignon CathedralCathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms Built in the 12th century, this cathedral was soon dwarfed by the Papal Palace next door. Its tower is topped with a golden Virgin Mary statue.

12th cent. Provençal Romanesque

Bourges CathedralCathédrale St-EtienneOne of the finest and earliest Gothic cathedrals in France, with a unique transept-free plan, soaring side aisles, magnificent portal sculptures and a full collection of medieval stained glass windows.

1195-1250 Gothic

Chartres Cathedral Cathédrale Notre-DameAn easy day trip from Paris, Chartres is renowned for its splendid "high Gothic" architecture, holy relic of Mary, and great floor labyrinth.

c.1195-1260 Gothic

Laon CathedralCathédrale Notre-DameLaon Cathedral is known for its imposing towers, its beautiful Gothic architecture, and its role as a major stop on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago.

1160-1230 Gothic

Lyon CathedralCathédrale St-JeanLyon is the seat of the highest-ranking archbishop in France. Built from 1180 to 1480, it is both Romanesque (notably seen on its west front) and Gothic.

Gothic

Marseilles CathedralCathédrale Ste-Marie-MajeureThis new cathedral was consecrated in 1896. Designed by Léon Vaudoyer, it is in a Byzantine Romanesque style.

1896 Byzantine, neo-Romanesque

Nantes CathedralCathédrale St-PierreThis Late Gothic cathedral was begun in 1434. It has a higher ceiling than the Notre-Dame and a splendid Renaissance tomb.

Late Gothic

Narbonne CathedralCathédrale St-Just-et-St-Pasteur This still-incomplete Gothic cathedral dates from the late 13th century. Inside are frescoes, Flemish tapestries, and the 14th-century Great Reredos.

Gothic

Noyon CathedralCathédrale Notre-DameBuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries, Noyon Cathedral is distinguished by its west porch, fine cloisters and chapter house.

Gothic

Paris CathedralCathédrale Notre-DameProbably the most famous cathedral in the world, the Notre-Dame was built in the 12th and 13th centuries in a Gothic style.

1163-1345 Gothic

Poitiers CathedralCathédrale St-PierreFounded in 1162 but completed much later, this cathedral is not famed for its architecture, but it does have an attractive Gothic west front and some early stained glass.

Begun 1162 Gothic

Reims CathedralCathédrale Notre-DameThe kings of France were once crowned in this 13th-century Gothic cathedral. It is full of sculptures inside and out.

13th cent. Gothic

Rouen Cathedral Primitiale Notre-DameRouen Cathedral boasts both the highest spire in France and an iconic depiction by Claude Monet.

13th cent. Gothic

Strasbourg Cathedral Cathédrale Notre-DameThis "pinky-red angel hovering over the city" has often been lauded by poets. It was completed in 1284 and uniquely has only one spire.

1284 Gothic

Tours CathedralCathédrale Saint-GatienDedicated to Tours' first bishop, this cathedral was built over several centuries.

1170-1547 Gothic

BIBLIOGRAPHYDe Vere, Nicolas. The Dragon Legacy: The Secret History of An Ancient Bloodline San Diego California: The Book Tree 2004. 79 Encyclopedia Britannica: Vol. 5 Cathedrals, utilized list of cathedrals built in the Gothic era1972 Fulcanelli. The Mystery of the Cathedrals: Esoteric Interpretation of the Hermetic symbols of the Great Work: A Hermetic Study of Cathedral Construction. Trans. Mary Sworder Paris, France: Societe des edition Pauvert rpt. Las Vegas Nevada:Brotherhood of Life. 2003. 36-37, 118 Gardner, Sir Laurence, Under the Shadow of Solomon. Shaftebury, Dorset; Element books 200444-45,47,54,66,72,105 Gies, Frances. The Knight in History. Chap.6 The Knights Templar. New York, NY. :Harper and Row 110,132. Hall, Manly P. The Secret Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Cabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy. Originally published Los Angeles, California. 1928 rpt Diamond Jubilee Edition 1988. 572-573 Icke, David. Children of the Matrix. Wildwood, Montana: Bridge of Love Publications 2001139-140,229,248. New Standard Encyclopedia. Chicago, Illinois by Standard Educational Corporation. Vol. 7K –Knights Templer history Ouspensky, P.D. A New Modal of the Universe. Chap 9 In Search of the Miraculous. Notre Dame de Paris. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf 1931. 345-346 Turning Points in World History: The Crusades. Ed Stalcup, Brendi. The Wealth of the Templars. San Diego, California;Greenhaven Press Inc. 2000. 297 The Encyclopedia Of World History: Sixth Edition. Ed. Peter N. Sterns. Boulder, Colorado.University of Colorado Press 2001. Knights Templar . 205,210,216,219,236,432

WRITTEN BY JOAQUIN VELEZ (O.C.L)