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The Templars

The Secret History Revealed

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The Templars

Written by: Barbara Frale
Narrated by: Kate Udall
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At its height, the Order of the Knights Templar rivaled the kingdoms of Europe in military might, economic power, and political influence. For 700 years the tragic demise of this society of warrior-monks amid accusations of heresy has been plagued by controversy, in part because the transcript of their trial by the Inquisition - which held the key to the truth - had vanished.Templar historian Barbara Frale happened to be studying a document at the Vatican Secret Archives when she suddenly realized that it was none other than the long-lost transcript! It revealed that Pope Clement V had absolved the order of all charges of heresy. Using this sensational new information, Frale chronicles the Templars spectacular rise and fall against a sweeping backdrop of war, religious fervor, and the struggle for dominance, and finally lifts the centuries-old cloak of mystery surrounding one of the worlds most intriguing secret societies.

©2004, 2011 Società editrici Il Mulino, Bologna Foreword copyright 2008, 2009, 2011 by Umberto Eco/L’espresso. Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate. English-language translation copyright 2009, 2011 by Arcade Publishing, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Christianity Europe Great Britain History Medieval Military Wars & Conflicts World Middle Ages War England Crusade World History
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Great work, I was worried it be more if a pop history without much substance, especially due to the short length, but this delivered what was needed. You really come away understand the origins, character, and eventual downfall of the Templar order, and all of the relevant surrounding contexts.

Good, Academic

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A highly recommended title for those interested in these topics.

The writer sets the templar story in the right context, opening up new perspectives on their saga.

A fantastic, in depth look at the history and setting of the Templars.

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The promise of the Vatican archives and the subject left me expecting more.

It was not a page turner so it is good I was listening on Audible and have to walk my dog or I would not have finished it.

And I found the narrator to be monotone.

Perhaps an executive summary with the key elements over time would have set the book up better?

Some may love it.

I was looking for an exciting history

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