Order of the Templars
The Order of the Templars, officially known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was a medieval Christian military order founded around 1119. Established to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land, the order gained significant power and wealth, becoming one of the most prominent military forces during the Crusades.
Templars were easily recognized by their distinctive white mantles adorned with a red cross. They operated a network of fortifications and were involved in banking and trade. The order was disbanded in the early 14th century, largely due to political pressures from King Philip IV of France and accusations of heresy.