Temple Church, London: Home of Knights Templar

Built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, Temple Church is one of the finest, most captivating buildings in all of London.
The Knights Templar-those knights who pop up in Ivanhoe, The Da Vinci Code, Assassin’s Creed, the Blind Dead movies-not to mention a swarm of myths and conspiracy theories--were an order of warrior monks whose mission was to guard people on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
They first arrived in England in 1128, during the reign of Henry I. They settled in Holborn initially, but in 1160 bought a large tract of land between Fleet Street and the river. There, they built a monastery, dorms, a rectory, a military training ground . . . and a church. It was the Templar home in England until their order was abolished in 1312.
After the Templars were suppressed, their land was given to another order, the Knights Hospitaller of St. John, who leased the land out to lawyers. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the Crown claimed the property but continued to lease it to lawyers.
The lawyers are still there-Temple remains a compound of attorney’s offices, libraries, meeting halls, and so on, and it features some striking and pretty awe-inspiring structures.
The church is free to enter, and it’s definitely a worthwhile stop on any walkabout in London. It’s open most days in the mornings and early afternoons. Don’t miss it.
FYI: Temple Church is famous for its free musical events, which you can view on the Temple Church UA-cam channel: / thetemplechurchlondon
Canon in D Major by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...

[@matchboxmickmoyboyz6988]

I worked in this church when I was with BT. We were under the floor and all these tombs down there with knights on the lids, very dusty to.

[@JacqTracks]

I can imagine it was very dusty and close there, Matchbox Mick!

[@matchboxmickmoyboyz6988]

@@JacqTracks At the time I commented to my mate that it was like Raiders of the Ark, but the Crusade one. Bets job I ever had for seeing London history. Gas company working outside Westminster Abbey hit our lines so had to repair them. Went down a few feet and came across loads of skeletons which turned out to be a plague pit ! Lots of secrets under London, deep level tunnels, secret places and entrances, working in Buck House and Houses of Parliament and strolling across the big dome ceiling in there and then down where Guy Fawkes tried !

[@JacqTracks]

@@matchboxmickmoyboyz6988 It *would* seem like that! I cannot imagine the things you have seen! How wonderful! I would love to hear more (if you don't mind!).