Were the Knights Templar at Bannockburn?

Answer 1

Nobody really knows.

This theory was mentioned in the 80s in The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, but I don't think anyone takes that too seriously.

Answer 2

Battle Of Bannockburn Knights Templar

Answer 3

No.

Pope Clement V forcibly disbanded the order on Friday 13 October, 1307.

The Battle of Bannockburn (June 23, 1314 – June 24, 1314) was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence and post-dates the disbanding of the Knights Templar.

Answer 4

There were supposed to have been a few Templars at Bannockburn.

Although the grand master of the Temple was executed in France, Edward II (in England) actually refused to carry out the pogrom against the Templars, so although he took the opportunity to seize much of their treasure, there was no hardline persecution of the Templars.

A number of Templars were said to have gone to Scotland to escape the pogrom, where they were then said to have been at Bannockburn.

(Dan Brown didn't make it up - and it's rare that I will speak in his favour. Nor did the writers of "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail" for that matter.)

Answer 5

There is evidence that a large group of knights not desplaying any heraldic symbols did fight at Bannockburn on the side of the scottish whether these were Templars or not no-one will ever know.
A couple of templar ships did manage to escape France for destinations unknown before being arrested so maybe they did go to Scotland and helped fight for their protectors.

Answer 6

No.

Thats a very random theory.
With any great fighting force its part legend part fact, they did fight for France and England, however theres a bit of a time difference, the order was dissolved in 1307 by pope Clement the V. an Bannockburn was 1314.

Answer 7

Li frere, Li mestre du Temple,
Qu'estoinent rempli et ample,
D'or et d'argent et de richesse (de sion?),
Et qui menoient tel noblesse,
Ou sont ils? que sont devenu?
At the height of the Templar persecution in !308 by Philip the Fair of France ...A mysterious haywagon leaves Paris..(molnay et al have already committed themselves to martyrdom to save the movement) The surviving Templars secure themselves refuge in Scotland, Germany, Portugal etc to carry on their tradition.
In 1298 Edward Longshanks stops at Kirkliston near Edinburgh to enlist the support of the Templars there in his war against Walleis at F'akirk. The Templar Knights at Fa'kirk raise the Templar banner, and Comyn's cavalry leave the field, having Templar connections. Later, in revenge, the walleis slays sire john de Sawtry, Grand master of the order, and his successor in a bogy field above the Callendar Wood. After 1303, the treaty between France and England the Templars sought refuge in Scotland. Bruce's success in the spectacular fight with de Bohun was undoubtedly due to techniques learned and brought back from the saracens in the 'holy land' by the Templars.
On the next day, when battle had been joined and the English forces were being severely pressed, I think a 'battle' of Templars were unleashed by Brus, and the English knowing of their conduct on the battlefield (no retreat unless outnumbered 3 to 1 etc), fled in disarray and panic to be destroyed in ye polles of Bannok!

Answer 8

Unproven. But all the answers pointing out that the Templars were 'disbanded' in 1307 are irrelevant. They were certainly proscribed by the French King and the Pope, their leaders imprisoned and the organisation attacked but it can't be concluded that all members of the order just ceased to exist at that date.

Answer 9

Well, the Battle of Bannockburn was 1314, but the Templars were declared extinct in 1312 - some believe they may have done, but they certainly disappeared (underground?) around this time, so who knows?

Answer 10

Very, very unlikely. Unless you are Dan Brown, in which case, the Knights Templar live next door/ are running the government / the Vatican / the World Cup/ American Idol.