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 CATHEDRALS

clanly 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 Cathedral 12th-17th Gothic
Cathédrale St-Sauveur cent.
Built on the site of ancient pagan temples, this
cathedral is best known for its Burning Bush
Triptych by Nicolas Froment.
Albi Cathedral 1282-1480 Gothic
Cathédrale Ste-Cecile
This 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.
Amiens Cathedral 1220-1269 Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Amiens is the tallest of the 13th-century "classic"
Gothic churches and the largest of its kind in France.
Angers Cathedral 12th-13th Gothic and
Cathédrale St-Maurice cent. Romanesque
Dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, Angers
Cathedral is known for its sculpture portal and fine
stained glass windows.
Arles Cathedral 12th-15th Romanesque
Primatiale St-Trophime cent.
Notable for its stone-carved portal, this World
Heritage Site also has lovely cloisters.
Autun Cathedral 12th cent. Romanesque
Cathédrale St-Lazare with Gothic
Completed in 1146, Autun's cathedral was built as a additions
pilgrimage church to house the relics of Lazarus and
is famed for its splendid collection of sculptures by
the Romanesque sculptor Gislebertus.
Avignon Cathedral 12th cent. Provençal
Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms Romanesque
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.
Bourges Cathedral 1195-1250 Gothic
Cathédrale St-Etienne
One 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.
Chartres Cathedral c.1195-1260 Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
An easy day trip from Paris, Chartres is renowned
for its splendid "high Gothic" architecture, holy relic
of Mary, and great floor labyrinth.
Laon Cathedral 1160-1230 Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Laon 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.
Lyon Cathedral Gothic
Cathédrale St-Jean
Lyon 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.
Marseilles Cathedral 1896 Byzantine, neo-
Cathédrale Ste-Marie-Majeure Romanesque
This new cathedral was consecrated in 1896.
Designed by Léon Vaudoyer, it is in a Byzantine
Romanesque style.
Nantes Cathedral Late Gothic
Cathédrale St-Pierre
This Late Gothic cathedral was begun in 1434. It has
a higher ceiling than the Notre-Dame and a splendid
Renaissance tomb.
Narbonne Cathedral Gothic
Cathédrale 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.
Noyon Cathedral Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, Noyon
Cathedral is distinguished by its west porch, fine
cloisters and chapter house.
Paris Cathedral 1163-1345 Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Probably the most famous cathedral in the world, the
Notre-Dame was built in the 12th and 13th centuries
in a Gothic style.
Poitiers Cathedral Begun 1162 Gothic
Cathédrale St-Pierre
Founded 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.
Reims Cathedral 13th cent. Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
The kings of France were once crowned in this 13th-
century Gothic cathedral. It is full of sculptures
inside and out.
Rouen Cathedral 13th cent. Gothic
Primitiale Notre-Dame
Rouen Cathedral boasts both the highest spire in
France and an iconic depiction by Claude Monet.
Strasbourg Cathedral 1284 Gothic
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
This "pinky-red angel hovering over the city" has
often been lauded by poets. It was completed in
1284 and uniquely has only one spire.
Tours Cathedral 1170-1547 Gothic
Cathédrale Saint-Gatien
Dedicated to Tours' first bishop, this cathedral was
built over several centuries.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
De 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)