Temple Church

The Temple Church is a 12th century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames. Originally constructed as the headquarters in England of the Knights Templar, it was the scene of important negotiations leading to the signing of Magna Carta in 1215. After the destruction of the Templar order in the 14th century, it became Crown property and for the last seven centuries has been the headquarters for two colleges of barristers. Famous today for its effigy tombs, the church was heavily damaged during the Second World War but has been largely restored. The area around the Temple Church is known as "Temple" and nearby is Temple tube station. It was also featured as part of the novel the Da Vinci Code.

Early Use by the Templars

The order was very powerful in England during its existence. The Master of the Temple sat in parliament as primus baro (the first baron of the realm). The compound was regularly used as a residence by kings and by legates of the Pope. The temple also served as an early depository bank, sometimes in defiance of the Crown's wishes to seize the funds of nobles who had entrusted their wealth there. The independence and wealth of the order throughout Europe is considered by most historians to have been the primary cause of its eventual downfall .

Related Topics:
Parliament - Baron - Legate - Pope - Bank - Europe

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