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Portugal Pictures

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portugal pictures convent of christ, tomar

The Convent of Christ, once the headquarters of the Knights Templar.

Wearing white coats adorned with red crosses [now where have I seen that logo before?] the Order of the Knights Templar was originally composed of French knights determined to protect pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, but their Papal remit soon expanded to freeing Christian lands of Moorish invaders. In this regard they were successful, liberating the whole of Portugal by 1300 AD and reaping enormous rewards from grateful Christians and landowners.
In France the Knights soon encountered problems with greedy King Philip IV who arrested them, burned a few and grabbed all their property, dissolving the Order.
Things didn't go quite so drastically wrong in Portugal though Dom Dinis did dissolve the Order and use the Knight's wealth to help launch the Age of Discoveries. At least they weren't burnt at the stake...

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Portugal Photos © Julian Loader