A woman in the distinctive Templar mantle
Founded around 1129 to protect pilgrims en route to the Holy Land, the military-religious order of Knights Templar gained wide support, received many donations, and established an early form of banking throughout Europe. The Knights Templar wore a distinctive white robe with a red cross. They became so rich and powerful they became a threat to church and state. The pope disbanded them in 1312. Their disappearance has given rise to many speculations, legends, and books.
There is some evidence that on rare occasions the Templars accepted women as members.
http://www.medievalists.net/2014/12/16/templar-attitudes-towards-women/ However, for the most part, they were anti-feminine. Some would not even speak to women. Although she lived a century after the Templars suppression, modern day Templars claim that Joan of Arc was a Templar.http://www.knightstemplarorder.org/templar-joan-of-arc/
At the time of The Viscountess and the Templars, the Templars were just beginning their rise to power and importance. You can imagine they wouldn’t welcome the upstart, independent Viscountess Ermengarde. Learn about her problems with the Templars in my latest novel.
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