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In the name of building defences, setting garrisons and running a standing army they raised an immense amount of money, far more than they required. Although as individuals they were never a wealthy organisation, as a business they became one of the richest, and hence powerful groups in Europe. But their position was justified, at least initially, for whilst they were holding the Muslim armies at bay from the Holy Land, who could deny that they were doing gods work, doing it very successfully.

A change in the balance came with a new leader emerging from the Muslim ranks. Saladin was such an able commander that in 1187 he managed to recapture Jerusalem and although Jews and Christians were permitted to stay in the city, the Templars were forced to decamp from their original base. Although they remained in the holy land until 1303, they were never again to set foot in the city they had sworn to defend with their lives.

By then the Order had change dramatically in character. What had begun as a simple body of fighting men was now a far more complex and, in many peoples eyes, sinister organisation. After many years of handling the finances needed to fund the Crusades, which took place not only in the Middle East but in Spain, France and even north eastern Europe, they had evolved into Europe's bankers. They were so powerful that they were bankrolling kings and countries and had developed a sophisticated system using promissory notes, that is to say, the fore runner of the modern cheque. They had become major players on the European political stage, owning 9000 manors and numerous castles, farms, churches and cathedrals. They even enjoyed special immunities granted by the pope that put them above the control of lords and kings. But they had now become victims of their own success. They were a law unto themselves, a mysterious secret society with allegiance only to themselves, a society that had no real reason for existence now that the holy lands had been lost. And people were viewing them with jealousy.

It was the money that undid the Templars in the end. By the 14th century, the group had become fabulously rich: so rich in England that they were able to almost single handed fund Edward I's wars against France. This did not sit well with Philip, king of France. He was an ambitious man, devious, scheming and constantly short of cash. He did have one useful card to play though, he did have a hold over Pope Clement, the only man that could give orders to the

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